GREENSBORO, N.C. — UPDATE: The city of Greensboro said the demolition of the old Regency Inn will be completed on Thursday, Oct. 31 with only minor cleanup remaining. There are landscapers on-site and they are expected to finish mowing the entire area by 1 p.m. on Friday. The project was initially estimated to take two to three weeks but was completed in four days after the property's closing.
Demolition of the old Regency Inn located on North O. Henry Boulevard in Greensboro began on Monday and is expected to last the next two or three weeks, according to the city.
As for what's next, Greensboro told WFMY News 2 it has sent out a request for proposals (RFP). Any contractor or developer with an idea for the property is expected to come forward, share those ideas and hopefully place a bid, the city said.
The property officially became the possession of the city last Friday. The plan is to create affordable housing in the area. According to Greensboro's Housing and Neighborhood Development department, it would likely serve low- to moderate-income families, and possibly even the homeless community.
Nearby residents are split on the decision. Some told WFMY News 2 that they fear the "wrong crowd" could be brought into their neighborhood.
Henry Harrison has lived in the area for nearly three decades. She's just glad to see the city is finally doing something with the property.
"It's a very positive thing," Harrison said. "We've looked at that sitting there for years and it's about time. This side of town needs an upgrade. We need something positive that can help the community, something progressive, something safe."
Although Harrison is glad the space is finally being used, she does have a few concerns when it comes to security. She said there needs to be more of a police presence in the area once the development is complete.
Neighbor Dean Suits echoed these concerns, saying that in the past, homeless individuals who slept at the old Regency Inn have attempted to steal things from her.
"It's getting to where you don't even feel safe in your own house," Suits said. "I had a car they tried to steal, a new mustang, and they came and went to my back door, they couldn't get it cranked or nothing, and a woman saw them behind (her house) and called the law."
The city of Greensboro asks people to stay clear of the property, as it is considered an active demolition site.
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