With more than 200,000 visitors expected in Greensboro for North Carolina A&T State University’s 100th homecoming celebration, the City of Greensboro is offering something that should make the weekend a little easier on visitors’ wallets: free downtown parking.
Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, parking will be free throughout the weekend in the city’s Greene Street, February One and Church Street parking decks, along with city-owned surface lots and on-street parking spaces.
The Eugene Street Parking Deck will also offer free parking for the weekend – but not until after an event at First National Bank Field on Friday evening.
The city emphasizes that the free parking applies only to city-owned facilities, which are identified by city signage. Privately owned parking lots and decks aren’t included.
The announcement comes as Greensboro prepares for what could be the largest edition yet of the event known as the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth.”
A&T’s centennial homecoming celebration runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1, with the biggest crowds expected during the final weekend.
During a recent Guilford County Board of Commissioners meeting, county officials described the extraordinary preparations being made for the celebration, which has grown into an event that affects virtually every part of Greensboro.
County emergency officials said that planning began about a year ago, with meetings held at least twice a week for the past six or seven months. The preparations have involved law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, transportation officials, utility companies, hospitals and university representatives.
Officials have conducted exercises involving potential emergencies ranging from severe weather and fires to mass evacuations and crowd-control problems. The county’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated, and all full-time county emergency services personnel are scheduled to work during the busiest Friday and Saturday.
Officials have even coordinated with major cellular telephone providers, including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T FirstNet, in an effort to keep phone service functioning despite the enormous number of people expected to descend on Greensboro.
For those who would rather leave their cars parked, the Greensboro Transit Agency will operate its regular bus schedules during homecoming weekend, with standard fares in effect.
However, passengers should expect some disruptions. Transit detours are scheduled to begin Wednesday, Oct. 28, although the city says that date could change depending on homecoming activities.
Riders can check real-time bus locations and route information at TrackMyGTA.com.
The city’s free Hopper Trolley will also operate on its regular schedule throughout the weekend.
The Hopper runs along Elm Street and serves other downtown destinations, with service generally available from noon until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from noon until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Trolleys typically arrive every 12 to 15 minutes.
The city is encouraging residents and visitors to plan ahead, particularly because of the traffic congestion expected around the university and downtown Greensboro.
Additional parking information is available at www.greensboro-nc.gov/parking. Information about the free trolley is available at www.greensboro-nc.gov/hoppertrolley.
The city also directs visitors to www.safegso.com for additional public safety and event information.
