The announcement that Top Golf is coming to Greensboro came from an unlikely source at the Greensboro City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19 – Greensboro Water Resources Director Mike Borchers.
It’s not often the water resources director gets to make a much anticipated economic development announcement, but one of the last items on the City Council agenda read, “Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Reimbursement Agreement for an Unnamed Attraction for Construction of Certain Sewer Improvements Comprised of a Proposed Eight-Inch Public Utility Line Extension with Encasement Underneath.”
The actual resolution also referred to “an Unnamed Attraction.”
Borchers said, “We’re excited to partner with Reality Link Development to provide sewer service by way of a sewer extension underneath Bridford Parkway to a 30-acre parcel that’s bounded by I-40, Bridford Parkway and Guilford College Road. With that we are, of course, opening up that whole tract in order to provide utility services to it. Part of this development is going to be anchored by Top Golf, but there will also be outparcels as well that will benefit from the water and sewer extension.”
According to Nathan Duggins of Tuggle Duggins law firm representing Reality Link Development, Top Golf will take about eight acres of the 32-acre site. He added that a hotel was planned for the area as well as some indoor entertainment venues and other businesses.
City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Justin Outling said he had issues with Top Golf not being named earlier. He said he understood the reasons for a company acquiring land not wanting to be named, and added, “It’s important to remember, however, for us we’re using community dollars to support projects and, going forward, I think balancing the business interests with the need for transparency, it would be ideal for the public to have the information sooner.”
City Councilmember Nancy Hoffmann said, “There is a cool factor with Top Golf just like there is a cool factor with Trader Joe’s and with cities that can attract those kinds of businesses.”
Mayor Nancy Vaughan said that she was not a golfer but had been to a Top Golf in Charlotte and had a lot of fun. She noted that they had been working on this project since 2019 and that the reimbursement for the sewer line was not a typical economic incentive. She said, “This will serve that area. It will be good for other people who are coming in. It is not just for this one particular source.”
The agreement calls for the reimbursement to be “no less than $400,000 and no more than $500,000.”
“Cool factor” . Nancy Hoffman and Mandate Mayor could have an entire city with a “cool factor” if they hadn’t hit residents with the largest property tax increase in the country. Or maybe the “cool.factor” of a respected, staffed, and supported police force instead of the listing, understaffed, underfunded, and under investigation police force they are responsible for. Or maybeven the “cool factor” like having a publicly run Performance Arts Palace with extremely overpriced ticketmaster retreads and garish 50 year old traveling Broadway leftovers.
Top Golf is a large chain and will only hurt existing small entertainment and leisure business in the area.
Amen Alex. Politicians try to introduce shiny objects to distract from their failures to do basic blocking and tackling. The latest tax increases establish that the pols have taken their eyes off the ball.
It’s “cool” to run the govt. Drunk with power.
Man the only thing comparable is local driving ranges and I’m sure they will still get plenty of work
Wow, you people are really grumpy!! I’m excited for Top Golf to be coming in.
Empty shelves, high gas prices, supply chain crises, along with countless other legitimate issues and these libtards are talking about golf. That’s all we need to know right there.
If broke, pull yourself up by your bootstraps….isn’t that what republicans say to people that don’t have sufficient income to live?
One of those things were never a problem and the other two have subsided.
Thanks CNN. I’ll be stocking my freezers while some of you choke on your golf balls.
I retired from golf as it took too much time away from caring for the family farm on the weekends. Have always wanted to try Top Golf as my kids tell me it is the most fun way for non-golfers to have fun with the game. Glad to hear we are getting one in Greensboro.
Tell us Chris how many liberal socialist jackasses do you have on your “farm” Bet you have a lot pigs rooting, pooping also goats. Rabbits, cows etc and a whole lot of them democrat sheeples This sounds like the perfect place for you since you love to spread your manure around you’ll always have an ample supply
I wear your hate of me with honor and pride!
You interpret that wrong chris. I have no hate for anyone but I really feel sorry for the Trump haters and bernie lovers of the US.
Been to one in Las Vegas years ago. To me, not a big deal. The cost to partake will be too much money for many. More taxpayer money going for incentives. Shame, shame.
Man this may the best ran city in all of the southeast use to be Jacksonville but republicans ruined that. I love the black power of ATL. But it has many problems and have for awhile. Outside of Raleigh, Nashville, and Birmingham, this may be the best city council and county commission.
Best city in the southeast
Best city in the southeast
Uhhh, not Wokesboro.
Compared to what?
Nancy Vaughn has yet to find a dollar that she cannot spend.
Nancy Vaughn is a simpleton who listens to others, especially her Black base, Chuck Watts and developers. She has to go. Vote her out. Vote for Chris Meadows, write-in candidate and Katie Rossabi, at-large. Tell others. What an opportunity to get a mayor with integrity.