Greensboro – Just call it Greensbooming.
At least that’s the term Mayor Nancy Vaughan coined for Greensboro after citing a litany of companies coming to or expanding in the city.
“I’m proud to say we are realizing the vision of all that Greensboro is and is yet to become through innovation and progress,” Vaughan said at the inaugural “State of the City” address on Thursday.
The speech was followed by a roundtable discussion with executives from Toyota, Boom Supersonic, and The Alexander Company – big players in the city’s promising economic future.
Before a crowd of local dignitaries, city staff members and business people, Vaughan touted the city’s vision and planning for the future. She also gave a nod to the county, state, and other partners, including the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Duke Energy, and Triad Local First.
City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba noted that with all the things Vaughan highlighted, “there’s no shortage of projects for me to manage.”
“Now, I’m not complaining. I mean, that’s job security for the time being,” he joked.
Jaiyeoba led the discussion with the executives, asking them to share their thoughts about Greensboro and their specific projects.
Dave Vos, development project manager for Alexander Co., said the company chose to renovate Greensboro’s historic Printworks Mill because it was close to employers and entertainment options and allowed people to walk to stores, restaurants and greenways.
But he said the city’s attitude also was important.
“Mayor Vaughan said ‘We’ve seen what you do, and we want you here,” Vos explained. “Those are important words to hear when you’re a developer and you’re about to make an investment in a building.”
Alexander Co. chose the historic Greensboro mill for a $54 million adaptive reuse project. The 470,000 square-foot building now offers mixed-income residential apartments, retail space, parking and climate-controlled self-storage facilities. Of the 270 apartments, 143 are set aside for people earning less than 60% of the city’s median household income.
This article was originally published by Greensboro News & Record.
