GREENSBORO, N.C. — Downtown Greensboro Inc. hosted the annual State of Downtown Greensboro event Thursday morning, bringing together more than 250 community, business, education, and elected leaders to celebrate downtown's economic momentum and to learn more about key initiatives for the future.
Downtown Greensboro Inc. President and CEO Zack Matheny talked about where downtown stands now and where it's headed in the future. One of the key elements of his speech included a refurbishing project of the historic depot downtown.
An outside firm who is handling the vision for the project said it could soon be a new social spot.
The Triad has seen a lot of growth in the last few years and Greensboro has been one of the places impacted the most. There's a focus on growing the downtown area too.
"The State of Downtown is strong, and getting stronger," President and CEO of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., Zack Matheny said. "With 31 businesses opening their doors in 2023 supported by 1.8 million visitors downtown, it's no surprise that the annual economic impact of revenues generated downtown tops $90 million in public benefit."
In 2023, 15 new restaurants and bars opened downtown, in addition to 16 new service and retail businesses. Of the 31 new businesses opening their doors, 63% are minority and women-owned business enterprises.
New businesses that recently opened include:
- The Quarter
- Muddle
- Pura Vida,
- A'EO Fine Art
Matheny also noted that this growth goes beyond the Elm Street corridor to other growing pockets of downtown.
He also shared details on several announced projects underway including:
- 523 N Spring
- The Marilyn & Dean Green Rehearsal Hall
- the 1889 Depot
- the AC Hotel
Other improvements include turning the former Triad stage into a live music venue and a pop-up pickleball tournament at the train depot sometime in May.
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