Winston-Salem Development News

[TwinCity]

City development threads seem to work best on this site so I feel its about time Winston-Salem, NC received its own. Many projects and updates dont get posted here, so hopefully with a thread dedicated to our developments, we will see more activity. Matthew feel free to add, assuming you and I are the only two reps...lol.

The greater downtown area is seeing a steady revival. Old warehouses are being converted to condos/lofts, office buildings from the 60's and 70's are being upgraded to class-A office space, and infill projects (7 stories and under) currently dominate this wave of new construction. Restaurants continue to thrive on 4th and Trade while DWSP encourages entertainment options on the next level. I wont speak too much on it, but this year could be a banner year as far as DT Winston entertainment. Over the past several months we've seen two new high-rise proposals, 15 and 14 stories, which is decent for this stage in revitalizing the core.

I'll start with the latest announcements.

The DISTRICT:

http://www.dwsp.org/thedistrict.jpg

The DISTRICT is the latest downtown residential project by East Coast Capital. Located on approximately 4 acres between Trade Street, Martin Luther King Drive and Liberty Street, plans call for 3 to 5 condominium buildings featuring contemporary architecture with an industrial flare. The first building will house 33 condos on 6 floors priced between $159,900 and $569,000.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite-1.jpg
- first building - $10 million
- 3 to 5 multi-story buildings depending on demand.

www.districtwinstonsalem.com
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http://www.collegeparkwinston.com/slice_1_title.jpg_1

College Park is a new community built on the historic Happy Hill. This Old Salem neighborhood was the first African-American communty in Forsyth County with some structures dating back to the 1700's. Unfortunately, a housing project was built on this prime piece of land which lead to an overall decline in the reputation of this part pf W-S. Now, those buildings are demolished, thanks to a Hope VI grant, to make way for an attractive mixed-income community. Phase one included apartments for seniors and low income housing. Phase two's plans include 150 single-family houses and town homes adjacent to Salem College, Winston-Salem State University and N.C. School of Arts. Buyers will have a variety of house and town home floor plans from which to choose. Homes start at around $160,000. There are 59 three-to-four bedroom single family homes and 91 two- to three-bedroom town homes.
http://www.collegeparkwinston.com/multifamilyscan1.jpg
"This is a beautiful, historic area with a great view of the skyline," said Watson, who added that College Park will be the only downtown community that will offer full back and front yards.
http://www.collegeparkwinston.com/familyscan1.jpg

This coincides with the Gateway development which is just west of here. This new neighborhood along with the nelwy proposed student housing by Place Properties, ensures that the Gateway will be a diverse community.
http://www.collegeparkwinston.com/images/siteplan.jpg
http://www.collegeparkwinston.com

[Raleigh-NC]

This is a very good start and I hope to see this thread expand more and more. Winston-Salem has a lot going for itself and it is a shame to have to search a lot when we can have a single source, here at SSC.

[TwinCity]

Monday, March 19, 2007

Goler group making plans for lot
It proposes using public money for downtown arts park, other improvements

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

http://www.golercdc.org/cmt/prod/34.jpg
the Gallery lofts in the background and Goler Manor ,u/c, to the right

A local development group wants to turn a small, rarely used parking lot in downtown Winston-Salem into an arts park - with public money.

Goler Community Development Corp. has proposed to work on the lot and make several improvements to sidewalks, streets and lights near the corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets.
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350283525

[triadcat]

Looks great :) Winston-Salem is a bit more 'progressive' than Greensboro when it comes to development/planning.

[TwinCity]

a couple more restaurants set to open

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Winston-Salem Journal

Burke Street Pizza will be opening an Italian restaurant at the site currently occupied by Dudley’s on the Park. The new restaurant will be called My Cousin Vinny’s and will feature the same New York-style pizza served at Burke Street Pizza. The owners of Dudley’s on the Park, who also own Burke Street Pizza, decided to make a change in concept because they wanted to add Italian cuisine to the downtown restaurant scene.

My Cousin Vinny’s will offer salads, sandwiches, appetizers, a large selection of traditional Italian dinners and of course their signature Burke Street Pizza, which will be available by the slice until 5 p.m. They will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch.

My Cousin Vinny’s will have all ABC permits and will feature more than 20 draft beers on tap, as well as wine. In addition to street parking, parking will be available weekdays after 5:30 p.m. and on weekends in the Spruce Street parking lot at the corner of Spruce and Holly streets. Plans are to open sometime this week. My Cousin Vinny’s will be at 226 N. Marshall St. in the Sawtooth Building. For more information, call 770-1212.

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Opening in the next couple of weeks downtown is Winston’s Eatery. It was first reported in this column this past fall that Michael Winston Johnson of Convenient Cuisine Catering and Chad Williams were going to open a breakfast, lunch and take-away dinner spot in the space formerly occupied by Opie’s Southbound Grille at 300 S. Marshall St. Construction is nearly complete and the owners are shooting to open the week of April 2. They have redesigned the space, creating more lounging for casual entertaining, business meetings and an open area for diners, as well.

Winston’s Eatery will feature breakfast offerings such as hearty oatmeal with a choice of toppings, breakfast sandwiches, cooked-to-order omelets, and bagels from the locally owned Bagel Station. Lunch will feature salads, deli sandwiches and grilled panini specialties. Other local products include dairy from Homeland Creamery in Julian, N.C., and coffees and teas from Krankie’s Coffee Bar and Chad’s Chai & Tea Co. The hours will be 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Plans are in the works to offer Sunday brunch at a later date.

For more information about this event and Winston’s Eatery, visit www.winstonseatery.com or call 245-2828.

[TwinCity]

just to catch everyone up...heres a list of some of the projects under construction or recently announced for downtown.

Traders Row___________________________________________________________________________
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/TradersRowRendering.jpg
- 5 story mixed- use building on Trade St. in the Arts District
- 110,000 sf
- $13 million
- offices for ISP Sports
- ground floor restaurant
- 16 condos
- entrance to resemble the gateway entrance into a baseball park
- first floor designed to look like a classic basketball court with stadium seating
- 24/7 sports broadcasts/recording/interviews on street level screens.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/cosmoboy/Traders%20Row/IMG_0478.jpg
photo courtesy of Cosmoboy



One Park Vista_____________________________________________________________________________
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/OneParkVistaRendering.jpg

- 9-story residential mid-rise on 4th street.
- 33 condos
- an "old world, timeless" design to blend with the Nissen highrise apartments
- ground floor restaurant with underground parking
- Downtown Thai said to be tenant.
- the first of two (maybe 3) residential towers to overlook the Civic Plaza Park.

www.oneparkvistawinstonsalem.com

video of groundbreaking ceremony:
http://www.wxii12.com/video/10938257/index.html



Eight Thirty Six Oak Street_______________________________________________________________________________
http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/836_Exterior_moda.jpg
http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/Kitchen_moda.jpghttp://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/Living_Room0002_moda.jpg

- 5 story former tobacco warehouse being converted into 30 condos
- $7 million
- buildings sits northwest of the arts district
- all units will have views of Pilot Mountain
- First condos available in fall 2007
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/ts.jpg
www.836oak.com



Goler Manor______________________________________________________________________________
http://www.dwsp.org/housing/golermanor.jpg

- 6 - 7 stories
- $20 million
- 200,000 sf
- 79 unit apartment building for seniors
- located in Goler Depot...the redevelopment of a historic african-american communtiy in NE downtown.
- plans for the neighborhood call for 450-500 condos, townhouses, brownstones, apartments and lofts.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/cosmoboy/Goler%20Heights/IMG_0217.jpg
photo courtesy of Cosmoboy


Liberty Place____________________________________________________________________________________
http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/Liberty_Place_Condos_Final_Rendering_12_18_06_1_a.jpg
- 5 stories
- 36 condos
- covered parking
- located in the newly expanded Arts District on Liberty St.
- units start from low 200's
- "simple, affordable downtown living"

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/LibertyPlace.jpg
front elevation

575liberty.com

[DCmetroraleigh]

Thanks for the thread Twin City. But can we drop the "NC" from the title? I think Winston-Salem should be spoken as a stand alone city. It's big enough that we shouldn't have to note the state when referencing it anymore.

[Raleigh-NC]

Great job, TwinCity :okay: Keep the updates coming ;)

[TwinCity]

Thanks for the thread Twin City. But can we drop the "NC" from the title? I think Winston-Salem should be spoken as a stand alone city. It's big enough that we shouldn't have to note the state when referencing it anymore.

its too late. i cant edit the title.

[TwinCity]

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Grocery store to open downtown
Some residents and the city loan committee say that it fills a need
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite-2.jpghttp://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/03/28/groceryEnlarge.gif
By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

A Kernersville businessman is bringing something to downtown Winston-Salem that some people say is missing: a grocery store.

Keith King, a self-described food-service man, plans to open Kingz Downtown Market by midsummer near the northwest corner of Liberty and Fourth streets. He said yesterday that it won't be a supermarket, but it will sell fruit, vegetables, steaks, chicken, wine, cheese and the usual sundries found at grocery stores.

"I always wanted to be downtown, and I just tried to figure out something that wasn't downtown already," King said.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350446942&path=&s=

[TwinCity]

Sweet Potatoes' owners plan second downtown restaurant

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

FULL? Sweet Potatoes' owners to open new place

People tired of waiting for a table at Sweet Potatoes restaurant on Trade Street may get some relief this summer.
Owners Stephanie Tyson and Vivian Joiner plan to open a second restaurant as early as July. The restaurant will be in the Brookstown Inn on Brooks–town Avenue near Old Salem. Tyson and Joiner have not yet decided on a name, but are leaning toward calling it The Cotton Mill in honor of how the historic building was once used.

Space for the restaurant has been cleared, and construction is expected to start in the next few weeks, Joiner said.

Sweet Potatoes has been one of the most successful restaurants to open downtown in recent years. The small restaurant is so popular that it can be difficult to get a table. Waits are common.

The Cotton Mill may help ease the crowding for the contemporary yet decidedly Southern cooking of Tyson, Sweet Potatoes’ head chef.

The new restaurant will not be a carbon copy of Sweet Potatoes, however. Tyson said that the restaurant will be slightly more upscale.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350423749

[Raleigh-NC]

A downtown grocery store is always a good sign :okay: Good news!!!

[Matthew]

The best list of Projects & Construction is on this site: http://winstonsalemskyscrapers.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1 They are organized by project with detailed posts and updates from first proposal to now. They have other sections for retail and photos also. That is where I found the projects for the long post I made a few weeks ago.

I'm surprised you haven't posted Civic Plaza? Civic Plaza and Excelsior Street Station are the two major mixed-use highrises proposed. A good source said the developer behind Civic Plaza will break ground in April. Things are silent right now, but usually there's silence and then a major announcement. It is a great idea to keep both SSC and SSP up-to-date on what's happening in Winston-Salem.

[TwinCity]

^ i was waiting on an article with updates before i posted those two. but youre more than welcome to add to the list. it would be great if a few of us could keep this thread going.

[TwinCity]

updates...

Monday, April 2, 2007

the YWCA at the Gateway set to open
http://www.ywcaws.org/limbo/images/front.jpg

The YWCA Sports and Wellness Center is scheduled to open June 16 in the Southeast Gateway. The $15 million 90,000-square-foot complex will include a family center, a library, a youth center, a cyber cafe, a competitive-level swimming pool, a family water park, weight room and indoor walking track.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350527911
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Sunday, April 1, 2007

Ballpark to open in 2009

Fans of the Winston-Salem Warthogs will have to wait until at least 2009 to watch baseball downtown.

The developers of a proposed $189 million stadium and retail-office development now plan to open the stadium in time for the Warthogs' 2009 season, officials have confirmed. The original goal was to open the stadium in 2008.

"We had hopes to build and make the '08 season," Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines said Friday. "But it's just not possible, so it took some of the pressure off."

Joines said that the developers hope to start construction on the stadium in June.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350518461&path=!news!yesterday&s=1037645509099

this project isntt coming without sacrifices. heres a video on a small church thats been in West Salem for 85 years. their building will be demolished to make way for the park.
http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=82324

[TwinCity]

more relocations...

2:02 PM EDT Monday, April 2, 2007

WFU Health Sciences inks lease at Wachovia Center

Wake Forest University Health Sciences has signed a lease for nearly 25,000 square feet of space at the Wachovia Center in downtown Winston-Salem.

WFU Health Sciences, part of WFU Baptist Medical Center, will move into the space on the 22nd and 23rd floors of the downtown tower in early May. WFU Health Sciences will use the space to house the administrative group of its division of public health sciences and part of that division's department of biostatistical sciences.

A total of 74 employees will move to the Wachovia Center from the MRI building at the medical center, where space is being vacated to create additional room on that campus.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/04/02/daily8.html
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New business for Fourth St.
Sunday, April 1, 2007

Savers Administrative Services Inc. and Savers Marketing, separate companies that share resources, have moved from North Point Boulevard to 635 W. Fourth St. in downtown Winston-Salem, across from Foothills Brewing. Savers Management Group Inc. does business as Savers Marketing.

The companies moved to allow room for growth and to participate in downtown revitalization, said Jerry Francis, the president of Savers Marketing.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350504822&path=!business&s=1037645507703

[TwinCity]

updates from this past week..

Thursday, April 5, 2007

In-migration a driving force behind growth

By Wesley Young
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Triad’s population growth rate is picking up as more people from elsewhere call this area home.

Metro Winston-Salem is leading the way.

New figures released today by the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Triad picked up about 24,000 new residents between 2005 and 2006, with about half moving into the region from elsewhere in the country. About 5,800 people - some 24 percent of the yearly increase - came from immigration from other countries.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350584828
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W-S named as one of top 25 places for business
The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - 11:51 AM EDT Friday, April 6, 2007

Forbes has named Winston-Salem the 24th best metropolitan area for business and careers in the nation.

Greensboro was ranked at 61.

In all, nine North Carolina cities were named to the list of 200 metropolitan areas, including five in the top 25.

The rankings for other Tar Heel metro areas are:

Raleigh, first;
Durham, seventh;
Charlotte, 21st;
Asheville, 23rd;
Wilmington, 38;
Fayetteville, 105; and,
Hickory, 167.
The rankings were based on the cost of doing business, the cost of living, the education of each area's work force and quality of life issues like crime rates, cultural and recreational opportunities.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/04/02/daily38.html?jst=b_ln_hl
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Winston-Salem Prepares for Busy Year of Conventions

Last Edited: Thursday, 29 Mar 2007, 6:25 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 29 Mar 2007, 6:13 PM EDT

By BRENT CAMPBELL
FOX8 News
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) -- From jugglers to oenophiles to toaster collectors, the city of Winston-Salem, N.C., is preparing for a year of conventions and events that could make 2007 one of the busiest years for tourism in recent history.

With the first rounds of the NCAA Tournament at the Joel Coliseum already under its belt, the city expects an almost 50 percent increase in the number of visitors in 2007 over last year.

"We've had a phenomenal year," declared Paula Mansfield, with the city's marketing arm Visit Winston-Salem.

Based on conventions and events already booked, nearly 30,000 more people are expected in town, said Mansfield.

The list of conventions and events includes the Davis Cup, International Jugglers Convention, American Wine Society Convention, National Toaster Collectors Convention, RiverRun Film Festival, Black Theater Festival and the AAU karate nationals.

The increase in tourists is good news for hotels and other businesses in the entertainment and service industries.

"They're not staying in their rooms," said Mansfield. "(They're) participating in attractions, going out to the restaurants and dining, and going to outlying areas as well, so the whole community benefits from this."

Visit Winston-Salem anticipates the increased tourism will pour an additional $11 million into the local economy.

"I think maybe we have hit a niche that wasn't there before," said Doug Smolinski, with Twin City Quarter.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=2801004&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[Raleigh-NC]

Great news :okay: Thanks for updating this thread :)

[TwinCity]

^thanks for responding.

Phillips Building eyed by officials as potential new courthouse
Could it be the next courthouse?
http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/874533-108a.gif

By Titan Barksdale
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Phillips Building, which is just east of Winston Tower, is vacant for now, but court officials said Thursday that it has the potential to become the next Forsyth County Hall of Justice.

Forsyth County commissioners toured the building last week with court officials, Trial Court Administrator Phil Toelkes said. Court officials are looking for solutions to space and security concerns at the courthouse.

“Most of the court leadership were there and it was generally a favorable review from what I heard,” Toelkes said.

“It’s really early, but it appeared to be some interest in that building.”

The tour comes after a board of commissioners meeting in February at which it discussed a $9.1 million courthouse renovation plan, which would last five years. Commissioners have yet to approve the renovations, which is an option to ease the problem at the current courthouse - a 30-year-old building that is outdated and nearing capacity.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350630657&path=%21localnews&s=1037645509099
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Monday, April 9, 2007

Developers pursue zoning for student housing
School officials and some residents question the need for the project

By Laura Giovanelli and Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTERS

The Washington Park neighborhood's tree-lined streets already appeal to N.C. School of the Arts students. The neighborhood's apartments and rental houses are within a short walk or bike ride of NCSA's sound stages, theatres, classrooms and studios.

Students could have more choices soon.

Place Properties, a developer based in Atlanta, wants to build a two-building, 352-bedroom student apartment complex in the Southeast Gateway. The buildings would be divided into 88, four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartments with common living and kitchen areas.

The City-County Planning Board will consider a rezoning request for the project Thursday, and then the Winston-Salem City Council will consider it. If approved, construction could start as soon as this summer and apartments open to students as soon as the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350639410

[Raleigh-NC]

I keep visiting, even though I do not always post a reply. Keep it up, even if you don't get as many replies as this thread deserves. It is important for all of us to remember that good news come from all cities in our state, not just the ones we live in. I believe that Winston-Salem is doing the right thing by focusing more on infills, conversions and bringing more businesses/residents downtown. The skyline already looks great, so it is safe to work towards attracting more destinations. Of course, we wouldn't say no to a new skyscraper ;)

Just a little contribution from me, courtesy of JDavis Architects:
http://www.jdavisarchitects.com/portfolio/images/current_projects/civic_plaza.jpg

http://www.jdavisarchitects.com/portfolio/images/current_projects/civic-plaza_title.jpg
This project is a mix of retail, office and residential units with structured parking. The site which is bounded by Fourth Street, Liberty Street, Third Street and Town Run Lane will also have a plaza which weaves together the Trade Street Arts District, Restaurant Row of Fourth Street and The Town Run Lane strollway to create a new civic center for downtown Winston-Salem. The building contains 210 residential units, 40,000 SF of office and 20,000 SF of retail. Civic Plaza is to be completed by 2009.If I recall, the final height is going to be around 16 instead of 20, but still, it is a great looking project :okay:

[sprtsluvr8]

I appreciate the updates from Winston-Salem...I look for new posts on this thread every time I get a chance. I grew up there and like to keep up with development downtown...

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Plans in the Works: Developer to convert old mill into apartments
http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/04/10/brdEnlarge.gifhttp://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite-3.jpg
By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

The transformation of former tobacco and textile mills into modern residential buildings continues its trend in Winston-Salem, as tax breaks, old buildings and a growing yen for downtown living make for a good combination for developers.

The latest old mill to go under a developer's scope is the Brown-Rogers-Dixson building, at Seventh and Main streets.

Built in 1920 as a textile mill for P.H. Hanes Knitting Co., the building's wide walls and floors remain as markers of Winston-Salem's industrial history and of the beginnings of a nationally recognized brand: Hanes.

More than 30 years ago, Brown-Rogers-Dixson, a wholesale distributor of appliances and electronics, put its name on the Beaux Arts-style building, company owner Ronny Dixson said yesterday.

That history, coupled with federal, state and local tax incentives aimed at preserving historically significant buildings, combined to attract Hugh Shytle, a Richmond developer.

By spending an anticipated $13.5 million to restore the building, Shytle would be eligible for a 50 percent credit on federal and state income taxes - 20 percent from the federal government and 30 percent from the state.

He stands to get a combined $6.5 million in tax credits, or $2.6 million from the federal government and $3.9 million from the state under a law passed last year aimed at preserving mills.

Since the federal historic-preservation program began in 1977, North Carolina has had 1,089 completed income-producing projects with $864 million in rehabilitation costs. Forsyth County has seen 28 projects completed with nearly $50.7 million in rehabilitation expenditures, according to the State Historic Preservation Office.

In addition to tax credits, Shytle is asking the Winston-Salem City Council to approve his request to have the building designated as a historic landmark, a designation that comes with a 50 percent deferral on annual property taxes.

For a building with a tax value of $13.5 million, the tax bill would be $155,386 without the landmark designation. With it, Shytle could save $77,693.

Shytle plans to turn the Brown-Rogers-Dixson building into 85 luxury apartments, with a pool, hot tub and lounge on the main floor and a 2,000-square-foot deck on the roof to see the downtown skyline to the south and mountains to the north.

Construction could start as early as this summer and be finished next summer, but redevelopment plans began a few years ago when the developer put the Brown-Rogers-Dixson building on the National Register of Historic Places.


http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350654993&path=&s=
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in related news...

building permits were just issued for The Gallery, another former RJR tobacco warehouse being converted into 77 luxury lofts in the Goler Depot.

plans call for:

- one-and two-bedroom lofts with design flexibility
- exposed brick walls
- original hardwood maple floors
- 10' and 11' ceilings
- expansive windows with panoramic views
- "skyroom" rooftop garden
- Fitness facility

http://thegalleryliving.com/images/photos_main-exterior.jpghttp://thegalleryliving.com/images/photos_main-atrium.jpg
[img]http://thegalleryliving.com/images/photos_roofGarden.jpghttp://thegalleryliving.com/images/logo.gif

http://thegalleryliving.com/index.html

[TwinCity]

I keep visiting, even though I do not always post a reply. Keep it up, even if you don't get as many replies as this thread deserves. It is important for all of us to remember that good news come from all cities in our state, not just the ones we live in. I believe that Winston-Salem is doing the right thing by focusing more on infills, conversions and bringing more businesses/residents downtown. The skyline already looks great, so it is safe to work towards attracting more destinations. Of course, we wouldn't say no to a new skyscraper ;)

Just a little contribution from me, courtesy of JDavis Architects:
If I recall, the final height is going to be around 16 instead of 20, but still, it is a great looking project :okay:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/CivicPlazaRendering.jpg
yea this the new rendering. so far it looks like this is the definite height.:(

[TwinCity]

I appreciate the updates from Winston-Salem...I look for new posts on this thread every time I get a chance. I grew up there and like to keep up with development downtown...

thanks for responding. i know its hard to get a good following on a new thread on this site. feel free to add.

[sprtsluvr8]

That Brown-Rogers-Dixson Building is hot...it's gonna be a great loft space. That area holds special meaning for me because I worked at RJR for 4 summers during college, and that was mainly the area where I worked. It's so weird to drive through there and see all of the factories idle when they used to be so full of activity. I would love to see that area busy again...with residents.

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks, TwinCity :okay: Who knows, maybe additional demand will push this tower higher, but let me be honest with you. Winston-Salem can use a few towers below 20 floors. They would work well as fillers and help create additional density. In DT Raleigh, we already have several such buildings, which is also the problem because they create a "flat" skyline effect, right in the center :( Winston-Salem's skyline, on the other hand, can easily accept towers ~15 floors. Besides, this is still a large project, and a nice looking one, too :)

[TwinCity]

^true. that's one thing the skyline lacks IMO. the height is nice but there isnt the same high-rise density as Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro. by 100 West Fourth being next to Winston Tower, One West Fourth and the Reynolds American HQ, it would help correct that problem.

[TwinCity]

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

ISP plans to make presence known as it moves to new downtown home
College bands, cheerleaders, mascots invited to participate in parade

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/untitled.jpg

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

International Sports Properties Inc., a collegiate sports-marketing company, is moving into its new downtown office this summer. And it isn’t moving in quietly.

Ben Sutton, ISP’s chairman and CEO, said yesterday that a block party is planned on Trade Street to highlight the move from Country Club Road to the Trader’s Row building that is under construction.

Plans include a parade and street festival along Trade Street for the afternoon and night of Aug. 16.

ISP is inviting college marching bands, cheerleaders and school mascots to participate in the parade. The street festival, which is being organized by Winston-Salem Events, will follow the parade and will feature food and local musicians.

“It will be a spectacle,” Sutton said. “This a chance to bring all these people into downtown.”

After the block party, Sutton has planned a private dinner and concert for guests, including a performance by singer Kenny Loggins at the Stevens Center.

“Our event will continue to elevate Winston-Salem’s stature among the leaders in the sports industry as a world-class place for sports and business events,” Sutton said.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350675136

[TwinCity]

Ballpark Updates...

some statements from http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/:

- Prim wants plenty of playground equipment and entertainment areas for adults...a mix of First Horizon Park, West End Field in Greenville, South Carolina, and Durham Bulls Athletic Park

- Prim, meanwhile, is already eying the chance to host the Atlantic Coast Conference baseball tournment and preliminary rounds of the College World Series.

- it appears that WSSU is now in talks with Wake Forest to share Ernie Shore

- The new ballpark should also make more people think downtown Winston-Salem is a good place to live. The residential boom is already well under way. According to the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, 38,364 people currently live downtown, and the number of residential units has soared from four hundred in 2000 to more than fourteen hundred this year.

[Smallville]

This it great news! I think it is a good thing that Prim is taking the best from other parks and incorporating them into this one. Is Prim still going to build a movie theater downtown close to the baseball park? Someone told me that the Grande Theater was interested in building one there. I hope this happens to make it a real destination year round for the folks in Winston-Salem.

[TwinCity]

as far as i know, the movie theater is still in the proposal. the rear would face bus. 40 according to the latest site plan.

[Raleigh-NC]

Still following the news from W-S. Sorry for being silent, but I am cheering for y'all... silently :lol:

[TwinCity]

updates from this past week:

better renderings of the district

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/exterior.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/interior.jpg

PTRP is Sportin a New Logo
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite.gif
Idealliance wanted a "sexier" image to represent the park.

[Raleigh-NC]

Cool renderings :okay:

[TwinCity]

Sports News

Lately, theres been some notable developments in W-S sports. First was the announcement of a possible major tennis complex on the LJVM grounds in response to the success of the Davis Cup this past April. Now, Minor League Hockey is returning, not only to W-S, but to the Triad.

from WFMY.com
http://www.wfmynews2.com/assetpool/images/0742518059_203x152_CYCLONES1LOGO.jpg

Professional Hockey Skates Back Into The Triad

Winston-Salem, NC -- Local hockey fans will no longer have to drive out of the Triad to see a professional game. The last professional team skated out of Greensboro three years ago. Now the Cyclones will call Winston-Salem their home ice. Team leaders and coliseum directors announced the return of professional hockey to the Triad Wednesday afternoon. The Cyclones last played in Florence, SC. The Southern Professional Hockey League team will now play at the Joel Coliseum Annex. It's where other professional teams have come and gone. Team leaders say they are aware of how the Triad's support of hockey has put other teams on thin ice.

"We're coming in six months ahead of time. We're also coming in with a vast amount of expereince, which the other teams didn't do," said Bob Kerzner, Cyclones team owner.

The hockey season for the Cyclones starts this fall. They will play their first game in October.

wsjournal's article:

Thursday, April 26, 2007

It's official: Twin City Cyclones coming to town


By Tommy Bowman
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Twin City Cyclones, the eighth minor-league hockey team to call Winston-Salem home, blew into town yesterday.

Team management promised an earnest effort to succeed where other teams haven’t. And it hopes to do better than it did last season in Florence, S.C., where the Pee Dee Cyclones lost money and ranked last in attendance in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

“We don’t want to come in here and have to pick up and leave again,” said Mark Richards, the team’s coach and general manager. “Our goal is to be here long-term and with the support of the community we will be. We don’t plan on going anywhere.”

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350952653&path=%21sports&s=1037645509200

[Raleigh-NC]

That will be an exciting addition to the Triad :okay: After the Canes brought the Stanley Cup to North Carolina, the interest must increase all over the state in order to keep things going.

[Smallville]

That will be an exciting addition to the Triad :okay: After the Canes brought the Stanley Cup to North Carolina, the interest must increase all over the state in order to keep things going.

This is good news. The only sport my Dad watches is Hockey. He usually watches all of the games on television. If they aren't blacked out which really ticks him off. :ohno: He decided this week that he was going to buy season tickets so that he could see the Canes live during the 2007-2008 season. I am sure he will be going to alot of the Cyclone games as well.

I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew some of the Greek Families that live in Winston-Salem? Some of the best restaraunts in town are Greek owned. We have a fairly good size population of Greeks living in Winston-Salem and Greensboro. My wife and I really enjoy going to the Greek Festival in the Fall.

[Raleigh-NC]

Unfortunately, I do not know any Greeks in Winston-Salem :( I heard that there is a large community there, but I have kept some distance even from the local community. Nothing wrong with the people, I just don't want to be stuck in the same old stuff. I attend the 3-day festival here, in Raleigh, and LOVE it, but that is as far as I go. My wife - she is Russian - enjoys Greek food and cultural events more than I do :lol:

Can we get a developer to build a Parthenon-like building in Winston-Salem? With all those Greeks, someone has to be inspired to do this :rofl:

[TwinCity]

Some of the best restaraunts in town are Greek owned.

are you referring to Hero House?

[Smallville]

Unfortunately, I do not know any Greeks in Winston-Salem :( I heard that there is a large community there, but I have kept some distance even from the local community. Nothing wrong with the people, I just don't want to be stuck in the same old stuff. I attend the 3-day festival here, in Raleigh, and LOVE it, but that is as far as I go. My wife - she is Russian - enjoys Greek food and cultural events more than I do :lol:

Can we get a developer to build a Parthenon-like building in Winston-Salem? With all those Greeks, someone has to be inspired to do this :rofl:


:rofl:

Hey I don't blame you. My wife is Filipino and there are only a few Filipinos that we talk too. My wife doesn't care to associate with most of them. She feels there is too much gossiping and back stabbing. I just go along for the ride. :dance2:

[Smallville]

are you referring to Hero House?

Hi TwinCity,

I enjoy eating at Cities, Hero House, Fourstar cafe, and the Mayflower. I hope they will eventually rebuild the Mayflower that burned down last year. I find the Greek places to be less expensive and have better quality food than the chains.

[sprtsluvr8]

Hi TwinCity,

I enjoy eating at Cities, Hero House, Fourstar cafe, and the Mayflower. I hope they will eventually rebuild the Mayflower that burned down last year. I find the Greek places to be less expensive and have better quality food than the chains.

Have you eaten at Jimmy's Seafood just off of Stratford Rd? It's fabulous...the best seafood I've had outside of Calabash. :) I don't think it's Greek-owned, but it's really good...I've been to Cities and it was a fun experience - great atmostphere, great food.

[TwinCity]

youre the 4th person ive heard say that Jimmy's is the best in town. i have to check it out one day.

[Smallville]

Have you eaten at Jimmy's Seafood just off of Stratford Rd? It's fabulous...the best seafood I've had outside of Calabash. :) I don't think it's Greek-owned, but it's really good...I've been to Cities and it was a fun experience - great atmostphere, great food.

A friend of mine eats there all the time and he absolutely loves the place. It looks like I am going to have to take the Family out there soon. The parking lot is always packed even during the week. A new place called "Bleu" opened recently close to Jimmy's Seafood. There was a good review of Bleu in the Triad Business Journal.

When Cities first opened there wasn't a whole lot around there. Now there is a retail center and a big housing development going up right beside it. I miss playing Golf at Hillcrest Golf course though. Lakeside was one of my favorite courses. From what I have heard the Hillcrest Family was offered a substantial amount of money to sell that land to Developers. I probably would've sold the land as well.

How often do you get back to Winston-Salem?

[TwinCity]

downtown updates

Movie being filmed Downtown

'Leatherheads', a movie set in the mid-1920 starring George Clooney and Renee Zellweger, is about the early days of professional football. Filming in the city started 2 weeks ago and finally made its way to downtown yesterday. scenes were shot at the Millenium Center(former main post office), City Hall, and the Nissen Apartments.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite-4.jpg
Actress Renee Zellweger, surrounded by actors playing reporters in the movie Leatherheads, is filmed outside Winston-Salem City Hall.
(Journal Photo by David Rolfe)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite2.jpg
Bailey Dempsey delivers a load of cleaned wardrobe to Richard Schoen, the costume superviser for Leatherheads.
(Journal Photos by Bruce Chapman)

http://www.leinbachauctions.com/Directions_2.jpg
Millenneum Center

http://www.ci.winston-salem.nc.us/Assets/CityOfWS//Images/City%20Manager/cityhall1930.jpg
City Hall

http://www.hrihci.com/piclib/1344.jpg
Nissen Apartments

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Winston-Salem wants funding for NanoMed Institute

Creation of the North Carolina NanoMedicine Institute in Winston-Salem's Piedmont Triad Research Park could generate as many as 6,000 jobs during the next 10 years, with an average annual salary of $87,000.

But first, chambers of commerce from around the Piedmont Triad must convince the General Assembly to provide $15 million in initial funding for the project, according to an announcement from the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.

N.C. NanoMed would be an independent nonprofit medical testing facility designed to help companies obtain FDA approval for nanomedical products. The institute would include researchers from area colleges and universities, who would work with the companies in the testing process, the announcement said.

David Carroll, director of the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University, said there is a shortage of such testing facilities, and that is impacting the industry's ability to bring nano-related products to market.

"N.C. NanoMed is expected to be one of only two FDA testing facilities in the nation, and will fill an unmet need for regulatory review of nanotechnology in medical applications," Carroll said.

Project boosters say the Triad already has a significant number of nanotechnology resources, and a facility such as N.C. NanoMed would draw many more.

Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, is currently drafting a bill for the $15 million funding request that will be submitted prior to the May 9 filing deadline.

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Bazaar Nightclub on 4th St.

Local club owner has started construction of an upsacle Morrocan themed nightclub in downtown that should open by mid-summer. the club will feature a tapas bar, outdoor balcony and live music. the theme is said to be similar to be something on would see in Miami's South Beach. clubs dont do too well in Winston so lets hope this one is successful!

Bazaar
Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Dress to impress.

info provided by 27101

[Raleigh-NC]

And the good news keeps coming :) I am looking forward to seeing Leatherheads, just for the locations ;)

[Smallville]

Thanks for all the great news! I wonder when Leatherheads is supposed to be out in Theaters? I sure hope we get that funding for the Nanomed center.

I heard they started moving dirt for the new ballpark as well today.:banana:

[sprtsluvr8]

A friend of mine eats there all the time and he absolutely loves the place. It looks like I am going to have to take the Family out there soon. The parking lot is always packed even during the week. A new place called "Bleu" opened recently close to Jimmy's Seafood. There was a good review of Bleu in the Triad Business Journal.

When Cities first opened there wasn't a whole lot around there. Now there is a retail center and a big housing development going up right beside it. I miss playing Golf at Hillcrest Golf course though. Lakeside was one of my favorite courses. From what I have heard the Hillcrest Family was offered a substantial amount of money to sell that land to Developers. I probably would've sold the land as well.

How often do you get back to Winston-Salem?

I usually get back there at least twice a year, sometimes more (sometimes less :)). My parents live in Clemmons...and I grew up there. I didn't realize Cities was the same location as Hillcrest. I couldn't really tell that it was the same place...Jimmy's isn't that cheap, about $25-30 per person or so. It was very fresh tasting and the extras are great...like warm hushpuppies to your table while you're waiting for your entree. I sound like an advertisement...

[TwinCity]

more PTRP news

Thursday, May 3, 2007

WSSU plans to buy site at research park
Design center would be built there
http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/05/03/wssuEnlarge.gif

By Laura Giovanelli
JOURNAL REPORTER

Carol Strohecker was hired last year as the director of the Center for Design Innovation, which was created to encourage a design industry in Winston-Salem.

Trustees for Winston-Salem State University began the process of buying land yesterday that they hope will eventually be the site of the Center for Design Innovation, a joint venture with the N.C. School of the Arts.

WSSU officials want to buy a 3.46-acre lot in the southern section of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, south of Business 40 and north of Stadium Drive. The university’s trustees passed a resolution yesterday that will send the potential purchase to the N.C. State Property Office.

The office will take over the land acquisition, appraising the land and eventually sending the deal to the Council of State for approval. Jorge Quintal, WSSU’s associate vice cchancellor for facilities, said he hopes that the council will consider the design-center land at its August meeting.

Quintal said that the site will be purchased for between $900,000 and $1 million.

Forsyth Technical Community College is also collaborating on the design center, or CDI, which will be used to develop and teach programs in design. The universities hope that the CDI will spark the creation of more design companies and jobs for local graduates.

The design industry uses creativity, art and computer animation to produce such products as video games, movies, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

In 2005, state legislators allocated $10 million to buy land, design and build the center. The center currently is housed in Winston Tower.

Carol Strohecker was hired as the center’s director last year.

WSSU is in charge of land acquisition, design and construction of the CDI. Officials there hope that construction will begin on the three-story, 33,000-square-foot building in November. The building is scheduled to open in early 2009.

The building will house studios, a shop to build sets, and areas for large-scale photography and motion capture, which is a process used to measure distance in human movements and used to create lifelike motion in animation. The building will also house an area to make prototypes out of materials such as Plexiglass and plaster, Strohecker said.

“The whole space is organized to support the prototyping process,” she said.
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Ballpark Article...

only one month left until this highly anticipated project is scheduled to break ground! the houses on the site are empty. small businesses have left broad st. and surveyors are out studying the site. heres a small excerpt from todays wsjournal. developers conducted a tour of the site for 25 people. public input will be constantly solicited throughout construction.

“OK, folks, this is going to be the outfield wall,” Bellissimo said, his arms stretched open.

The tour, given to a group of about 25 city officials, developers, planners and residents, comes a few weeks before Prim, a co-owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs baseball team, is expected to move ahead with the next stage of the stadium project.

Bellissimo said that Prim’s development group will submit a request later this month to the City-County Planning Board to rezone the area to the pedestrian-business classification.

“The zoning sets the parameters,” said Wanda Merschel, a member of the Winston-Salem City Council.

The area takes in about 40 acres and sits mainly between Peters Creek Parkway, Business 40 (which runs parallel to Watkins), and Broad Street. Rezoning the area will help attract a national developer, Bellissimo said, because it could come in and hit the ground running.
http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2006/12/12/traffic2Enlarge.jpg

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351053394
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heres what Smitty had to say about Bazaar

New club will have you dressing up to go downtown

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Jeff Smith
relish columnist

The latest in a steady stream of downtown entertainment news is the planned opening of a new multipurpose venue on Fourth Street. JD Byers, Tim Welborn and Jay Stephens of Ziggy’s are opening Bazaar. It will be upscale with a strong Moroccan theme and will include a tapas bar and nightclub for live music and dancing. The concept is similar to the Miami/South Beach clubs and the club Much in downtown Greensboro. It will be upstairs above Downtown Deli at 209-B W. Fourth St. between Cherry and Trade streets. Plans include an outdoor balcony on the backside of the building. Bazaar will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Patrons will be strongly encouraged to come dressed to impress. Final details are being worked out on occupancy, but initial plans are for at least 250 patrons. Construction has already started with an anticipated opening by midsummer. Stay tuned for details. Before the rumors start, Ziggy’s is not closing.

[TwinCity]

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Construction to start within 30 days on Robinhood project
JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
http://www.collinscommprop.com/images/homecenter.jpg

Tribek Properties in Charlotte expects to begin construction on Village at Robinhood north of Robinhood Road between Attanook and Olivet Church roads in 30 days.

The mixed-used development of retail, office and residential units is expected to cost $55 million.

Ray Collins, the president of Collins Commercial Properties Inc. in Winston-Salem and the marketer of the development, said that significant tenant announcements should be made by late summer.

A 48,000-square-foot Harris Teeter and 15,000-square-foot Walgreens were previously announced as anchors of the retail part of the project.

Collins said that spaces should be turned over to retailers in the fall for openings in March, April and May 2008.

background info: Charlotte-based Tribek Properties and Mega Builders L.L.C. of Greensboro are developing the Village at Robinhood, a $55 million mixed-use project in the NW part pf the city. The Village at Robinhood will eventually build out 125,000 square feet of retail plus four pads set aside for restaurants, a bank and perhaps health care space. The project will also include 192 multifamily units and 10,500 square feet of office space with residential spaces constructed on top floors.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/TheVillageatRobinhood.jpg

[Smallville]

Is this project across the street from the fire station and behind the Exxon station? I pass by there once a week and wondered what they were building there.

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for the continuous updates :okay:

[TwinCity]

Is this project across the street from the fire station and behind the Exxon station? I pass by there once a week and wondered what they were building there.

im not exactly sure where youre talking about? give me some other landmarks. this project is in the middle of no where surrounded by woods going towards Lewisville.

[Smallville]

im not exactly sure where youre talking about? give me some other landmarks. this project is in the middle of no where surrounded by woods going towards Lewisville.

I drove out there today. It is at the light where Robinhood Rd and Medowlark Rd intersect. Less than a mile from the new Brookberry Farm development on Meadowlark Rd.

[TwinCity]

^ o ok i think i know where youre talking about.

we have more news about the mixed use development proposed at the former Union Station in East Winston. plans are to bring the station back to life with a multi-modal hub, office, retail, and a 17-story(up from 13) residential tower.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

City to be asked for help on project near WSSU
Excelsior Street Station would include depot renovation and new 17-story building next door

By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/Satellite-5.jpg
Journal Graphic by Nicholas Weir

The developer of a proposed residential and transportation project near Winston-Salem State University says he plans to ask the city of Winston-Salem for financial support.

Bill Cannon, one of the lead developers, said he will likely ask for an arrangement similar to the deal that the proposed downtown ballpark got. In the ballpark deal, the Winston-Salem City Council agreed to a loan and tax-incentive package that will cost $29 million over 25 years.

The project, at the Davis Garage, would be called Excelsior Street Station. It includes the renovation of the old Union Station rail depot into a transit station for buses and possibly commuter-rail service. Next door, developers plan to build a 17-story building with apartments, offices and retail space.

The project would be on almost 2.5 acres off of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It has an estimated price tag of $50 million, significantly smaller than the $189 million ballpark proposal.

The developers had considered asking for tax-increment financing to help pay for the project. In tax-increment financing, the city would be asked to issue bonds, which are paid off by the higher tax revenue generated by the new development.

Cannon said last week that city officials did not seem interested in that proposal. “We have had discussions with the city, and at this point we have not entered into any negotiations,” he said. “We will and do expect at some point in time to make a proposal to city council for some type of financing.”

Architect Rence Callahan, with the firm Walter, Robbs, Callahan and Pierce, said that the project will include 60,000 square feet of retail space, 45,000 square feet of general office space and about 20,000 square feet of transportation space.

Callahan said that the buildings have been designed to blend in with aesthetics of the WSSU campus. He said that the goal is make the new private development an extension of the university’s campus. “It’s landlocked, and there is no place adjacent to the campus that you can walk to,” he said. “This will be a place where people can live, work and play next to the campus.”

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351124449
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first, let me highlight this beautiful photo of the Reynolds tower on the cover of Winston-Salem Monthly:
http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/images/cover.jpg

nice article on the local art scene...

Home is Where the Art Is
Milton Rhodes has returned to Winston-Salem again to help make the city a major destination for the arts.
http://winstonsalemmonthly.com/images/articles/art_home.jpg
By Kathy Norcross Watts


Milton Rhodes has a vision for downtown, and he can see it clearly from Winston Square Park.

"There," he says from a nearby parking lot, pointing at the abandoned AC Delco building. Rhodes proceeds to detail an adaptive-use project that will turn the building into a stunning 300-seat theater for dance, music and film productions. Construction is due to begin in 2008, and it will take about a year to complete.

"It costs a little more, but you preserve the heritage of the town," explains Rhodes, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. "[Winston-Salem] is always working to fix itself. I like that about this town."

Rhodes talks about Winston-Salem like a proud parent, which may be because he and the city share quite a bit of history. This is the third time he's lived here, and he says there's a simple reason he came back.

"Of all the places we had lived, Winston-Salem is where we loved the most," Rhodes says. He and his wife, Mattie, an accomplished flutist, made close friends during their earlier years here, and Rhodes also had remained on the board of the N.C. School of the Arts.

"It is a different community from when I was here the second time," he says. "The changes are just so substantial for what I do."

Beginnings Rhodes, a Montana native, first moved to Winston-Salem in 1968, when he got a job as symphony manager. He joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served in the Finance Corps in Indianapolis. He and Mattie moved back to Winston-Salem two years later so he could take the job as executive director of the American Council for the Arts, now called Americans for the Arts.

In 1985, the council relocated to offices in Washington, D.C., and New York, and it wanted Rhodes to move to the latter. He felt compelled to leave Winston-Salem once more.

"I was dragged out of here," says Rhodes, who at the time had three young sons - Milt, Ben and Addrian – and firm roots in Winston-Salem.

As president and CEO of ACA, he was responsible for a 66-member national board. Over the course of his career, he helped raise more than $200 million for organizations such as the National Coalition of United Arts Fund, Outward Bound USA, and the Northern Westchester Hospital Center Foundation.

"Because of his national experience in other communities, Milton seems very comfortable including other people in the conversation, people that may be different than him," says Michael Suggs, chair of the Goler Community Development project next to the Arts District. "He always wants to hear all the opinions."

A New Way In his third stint in Winston-Salem, Rhodes is working to promote Winston-Salem's Black Theatre and the Piedmont Craftsmen and RiverRun International Film festivals. He's also trying to connect other aspects of the art community to these events.

"That's the challenge," Rhodes says. "What can I do to make this place seem like it's connected?"

He envisions 1,000 events a year and says the community is more than halfway there. This year, 640 events are already booked. There's rock on Thursday nights, jazz on Friday and country music on Saturdays. The Stevens Center draws 104,000 people each year, and Sawtooth Center for Visual Art attracts 12,000. Other venues such as The Garage cater to niche audiences for music, film, poetry and theater.

Rhodes says he and the Arts Council have been greatly helped by the determined leadership of Peggy Joines, Aurelia Gray Eller and Libby Booke.

"These three women put their heads down and make things happen despite the obstacles," says Rhodes. "It's what they're made of."

The admiration and respect goes both ways.

"He believes that building a great community starts with building partnerships in the community and breaking down barriers," says Joines. "We went from funded members to funded partners. He is so inclusive."

Living through art When he's not working to promote the arts, Rhodes spends as much time as he can enjoying it. He averages six to seven events a week, sometimes three a night.

"The strength of Winston-Salem is its breadth and depth and quality," he says. "When you see the opera that's going to be done tonight, it's funny. It's quality. It's as fine as you would see anywhere."

He sees Winston-Salem as a creativity hub for everyone, not just arts professionals. He says a good example is the Associated Artists project that placed 100 tennis rackets, painted by schoolchildren, businesspeople and artists, throughout the community last month to celebrate the Davis Cup event.

"Everybody, even people who think they're not artistically inclined, I think they are," he says. "We need to feel intimacy in all our lives, and the arts give you that."

[Raleigh-NC]

TwinCity, this is awesome news!!! I like the scaled-up tower - I hope it goes even higher - and I also LOVED the cover of the magazine with the Reynolds Tower :okay: I checked out the online version of the magazine and I think that it is an asset for Winston-Salem.

I don't know what the climate is in Winston-Salem's city council, but the whole TIF thing may become a thorn. We have a similar case in Raleigh, where a $700+ million dollar project (http://northhillsraleigh.com/east/) is proposed and the developer is seeking a $75 million loan in the form of TIF. The City Council is split on this, but the project is too big to ignore. Your City Council will have a tough decision to make and I hope that y'all get the entire project, with or without TIF approval. Keep us posted on the progress ;)

[TwinCity]

some bad news was reported today...mast general store decided to cancel plans to open a store on liberty st. in downtown. the former Hillcrest furniture building was to be renovated. the final cost was too high for Mast, and parking was seen as problem so they decided to cancel.:ohno:

[g-man430]

^^That sucks. We have one here downtown and it is a great store that I think would do well in Winston-Salem.

[Raleigh-NC]

Forgive my ignorance, but I have never been to a Mast store, so I can't say anything, except for this: There will be similar stories during the downtown rebirth process, so don't let this be a disappointment. As the downtown population increases, business people and city officials will find ways to make things work. There is always something good coming out of such stories.

[TwinCity]

^^ yes, this is true. we've had a couple instances where something good came out of bad news. im keeping the faith. there is an online rumor surrounding Mast in downtown.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Historic Pepper Building given chance to survive as apartments
By Bertrand M. Gutirrez
JOURNAL REPORTER
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/opv1.jpg

The historic Pepper Building, scheduled for demolition, could remain standing in downtown Winston-Salem.

Niemann Capital LLC, a development group based in Durham, said it is drawing up plans to convert the Pepper Building into apartments and still allow enough space to build a 1.5-acre public plaza and a 14-story building along Fourth Street.

The new plan is a major shift away from the one that was made public in December 2005.

Josh Parker, Niemann’s development director, told city officials at the time that the Pepper Building would have to be razed to make space for the Civic Plaza plan - a $50 million project being handled by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership.

Most of the key players vested in the project expressed an interest in having the Pepper Building torn down, Parker said back then. The Pepper Building would allow for about 25 residential units, but demolishing it and rebuilding would allow for a much higher number and support the overall goal of having more people living downtown.

Under the revised plan, Niemann is proposing to renovate the Pepper Building, put the new 14-story building next to it, rather than in its place, and close Third Street between Liberty Street and Town Run Lane. A new street, 2½ Street, would be built.

Drafting that plan wasn’t easy because of limited space and money.

Piedmont Federal needs parking because the spaces that are now used by its employees would be thrown into the project. Forsyth County and the city must decide whether to invest public money in a project that would create a public benefit - a plaza. And the Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation owns the building.

The downtown partnership’s president, Jason Thiel, said that he is scheduling a meeting in a few weeks for the partnership’s Civic Plaza committee to review the new plan.

Whether the Pepper Building is preserved is once again in the Civic Plaza committee’s hands, but the shift toward possible preservation is a result of persistent lobbying by local and state preservationists.

Mayor Allen Joines said that he was contacted by Myrick Howard, the executive director of Preservation North Carolina, a nonprofit organization based in Raleigh. In Winston-Salem, a member of Preservation North Carolina’s board, Gwynne Stephens Taylor, and John Larson, the vice president of restoration at Old Salem Inc., got involved. As did other preservationists.

The Forsyth Historic Resources Commission put the Pepper Building on its list of the “Five Most Endangered in Forsyth County.”

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/05/12/pepperEnlarge.gif

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351172701&path=&s=
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Sunday, May 13, 2007

Grape Power: N.C. Wine Celebration draws 5,000 to downtown

By M. Paul Jackson
JOURNAL REPORTER

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/Satellite-1.jpg
Emily Winfrey and Jennifer Williams, both of Winston-Salem, sample some offerings at the festival on Fourth Street.
(Journal Photo by Kelly Bennett)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/Satellite2.jpg

Shannon Jatlin and his two friends planned to tour many of the state’s wineries soon, but they figured that they could save some time and effort by going the wine festival in downtown Winston-Salem yesterday.

“I thought it would just be more convenient,” Jatlin said.

They weren’t alone. Jatlin was one of thousands of residents who took part in the annual wine festival, a daylong event to highlight North Carolina’s growing wine industry.

More than 5,000 people paid $20 each to attend the festival on West Fourth Street. Called Salute! The N.C. Wine Celebration, it attracted more than 30 wineries statewide, organizers said.

“This is economic development at its finest,” said Tucker Tharpe, the events director for the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, which organized the festival. “Hopefully, it’ll entice them to come back.”

The festival attracted more people than last year, Tharpe said. It also allowed wine enthusiasts the chance to sample wine from small wineries, said the owners of vineyards that can be a little hard to find.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/Page/WSJ_SectionFront&c=Page&cid=1039113447934

[Upington]

http://C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\March07\CBD18.jpg

[Upington]

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\March07\CBD18.jpg

[Matthew]

You have to upload photos to a server before posting.

there is an online rumor surrounding Mast in downtown.

27101 is spreading the rumor at this site (link below). I guess we will see what happens? I would love to see Mast General Store in the Pepper Building.

http://winstonsalemskyscrapers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=316

[TwinCity]

a few construction updates from this past weekend...

The Gateway:

Summit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/sum1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/sum2.jpg
YWCA in the background...almost complete

Brownstones on Marshall st.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/ms1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/ms2.jpg

New Life Center
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/nl.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/226/499767463_f173c05c5f_o.jpg

One Park Vista
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/opv1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/opv3.jpg

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Quiznos, Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouse to open at Nissen Apartments

Jeff Smith-relish columnist

Quiznos Subs is nearing the end of its construction. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant, which will seat 30, is owned by local franchisee Toasted Subs LLC. This is the company’s first Quiznos and the owners are excited about being part of the revitalization downtown. The hours will be 10 a.m. until early evening on Monday through Friday, and Quiznos will be open on Saturdays when there are major events going on downtown. An opening is anticipated for early June.

The other eatery under construction is Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouse. It’s being opened by The Bagel Boys/The Coffee Boys LLC. It will include the bagel franchise and Dilworth Coffee House, which is based in Charlotte. Brueggers/Dilworth will occupy 2,300 square feet and will seat 60 patrons. An anticipated opening is planned for early summer.

Quizno’s, Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouse all will be WiFi accessible using the Fourth Street free wireless.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_RelishArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351214594&path=!entertainment!smittysnotes!&s=1037645508988

[cityboi]

excellent pics! its good to see things moving along.

[Raleigh-NC]

Wonderful :applause: I love to see construction updates as frequently as your time allows. This is the best way for us to see the progress, without actually being there. Keep the photos coming ;)

[TwinCity]

^ thanks

here is an updated site plan for the downtown ballpark. ground is scheduled to break next month. the propoerty is also up for rezonig at that time.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/504388466_78d12b90af_b.jpg

[Smallville]

Great photos Twin City!

[TwinCity]

^thanks.

just a a few updates...

new renderings!

renderings of the Brown Roger Dixson apartments can be seen here:

http://winstonsalemskyscrapers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
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the city's 2 collegiate football stadiums are gettig upgraded with state of the art additions.

Deacon Tower at Groves Stadium
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/wake/graphics/footbl-stadium/model-pic-3-800.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/499717908_24ce66aa7b_o.jpg
- $45 million
- 7 stories
- 123,000 sf
- 125 ft.
- 660 club seats
- 24 premium tables
- 27 box suites
- complete by 2008

Bowman Gray Stadium
- home of the WSSU Rams
- new fieldhouse that will be complete by this fall.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/bg1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/bg2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v683/twincity/bg3.jpg

$5 million
20,000 sf
20ft video scoreboard.
training rooms
weightroom
lockerooms
conference/banquet rooms
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another old factory gets a new life

The city council approved an economic-incentive deal for the Geocomponents division of the Hanes Cos. The deal is worth $117,370 over 10years.

The Hanes Cos., which is a division of Leggett & Platt Co. Inc. of Carthage, Mo., and not connected with Hanesbrands Inc., will get grants based on about 60 percent of the property-tax revenue created by Hanes’ $4 million investment in a distribution plant north of downtown. the plan is to move the headquarters of the Geocomponents division and light manufacturing to its Hanes Dye & Finishing Co. operation at 600 Northwest Blvd., where there is a 750,000-square-foot plant and an old warehouse.Within 18 months, the new operation will employ 212 employees.

[Raleigh-NC]

Good work, TwinCity!!! Thank you for taking the time to show us the progress in Winston-Salem :okay:

[TwinCity]

a few small updates from this past week...

Owners of startup looking at downtown Winston-Salem

By M. Paul Jackson
JOURNAL REPORTER

Tonia Crook, one of the founders of TunTek Inc., often gives presentations on her business, a startup medical-device company that has developed a cancer-screening test for patients.

Crook developed the test while performing medical research locally and in South Carolina, but she is getting used to being a saleswoman.

“Our biggest challenge is money,” she said.

The company, based in Lexington, is attempting to raise money and possibly move to downtown Winston-Salem. It is one of several medical-device companies that have come to the region because of its growing reputation as a health-care hub, economic-development and technology officials said.

“I think that the research park is a good catalyst for medical devices,” said John Wilson, the president of SpringMed Group LLC, a Winston-Salem company that helps medical-device companies with federal regulatory laws. “I think it’s seen as a good, fertile environment.”

But like many young companies, TunTek has a bumpy road to take to success. The three-person business needs to raise about $3 million and persuading venture capitalists to back the business could be a tough sell, Crook said.

“I think a lot of VC’s are not investing at a seed stage, and we’re a seed stage” company, she said.

TunTek is developing a medical kit that could help physicians diagnose cancer more easily. The company has not yet received federal approval for its device and needs money and space to market the research.

TunTek’s screening device works by helping physicians detect cell death, or “apoptosis” in the body, Crook said. Apoptosis is often an indicator of cancer, she said.

Typically, researchers detect apoptosis by using a device to manually “stain” cells with enzymes, and then analyzing those stained cells as they pass through a laser or similar light source. The test is often used to predict or detect cancer in the body.

But manually staining the cells can be prone to errors, Crook said. TunTek’s device - a small box containing vials of enzymes and chemicals - would attach to existing cell stainers, allowing physicians to stain cells quicker and easier, said Reba Morris, the company’s chief operating officer.

“We believe that our automated method will give researchers a tool that can drive research forward dramatically, giving quicker, better results in laboratory studies,” she said. “It can potentially be used by the pharmaceutical industry in drug testing, helping to get critical cancer drugs to market sooner.”

The company was created in November and incorporated this week. Crook began her research while she was a cancer researcher at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center more than 10 years ago. She continued her research while working at the University of South Carolina and moved back to the region in 2004, she said.
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Christian Coffee Shop planned for Civic Plaza

Crosland Barnes Group’s new building at the corner of Summit Square Boulevard and Hanes Mill Road has two tenants, Mobys Coffee Co. and AT&T Wireless.

Mobys is a Christian coffee company based in Mount Airy. The company hopes to open the store June 15.

Two other Mobys are planned for the Winston-Salem area.

Brian Brady, the company’s president, hopes to open a store at 619 Deacon Way near Groves Stadium in late July and another in the Liberty Plaza building in downtown Winston-Salem in August.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tobacco lounge is on track for summer opening

Thursday, May 24, 2007

By Jeff Smith
relish columnist

Construction is moving along for the Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge at 321 W. Fourth St. (at the corner of Fourth and Marshall streets).

It’s designed to be a hip, upscale lounge to promote Reynolds Tobacco Co.’s new premium brand of cigarettes, Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisan, a blend of 11 flavors that are custom-rolled by tobacconists.

This is the company’s second lounge. The first is in Chicago. During the renovation, workers have put in a new ventilation system and knocked a few holes in the wall to create windows to allow more light into the space.

The lounge will occupy the street level and will feature a “ridiculously plush” (love that term) environment, with cozy chairs and sofas, plus coffees, pastries and other baked goods. Beer and wine may be served.

The latest word is that the lounge is on track for an early summer opening. Stay tuned for those details in the coming weeks.

[TwinCity]

Friday, June 1, 2007

Quiznos opens downtown


JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT

A Quiznos franchise restaurant opened yesterday at 310 W. Fourth St. on the ground level of the Nissen Building in downtown Winston-Salem.

The franchise owners are Steven Shafer and Eric Pucciariello.

The restaurant sells subs, sandwiches and salads. It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery and Dilworth Coffeehouse combination restaurant is expected to open next to Quiznos by early July.

The restaurant is owned by The Coffee Boys of the Triad. Business partners in The Coffee Boys of the Triad are Guy Hunter, Ralph Heckman and Craig Hunter.

Craig Hunter said that company officials are excited about downtown and the recently announced activities there, including new residential condominiums and a baseball stadium.
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June 1, 2007

W-S downtown development focuses on retail

by Matt Harrington

The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership wants to increase the amount of retail space, like these shops along Trade Street.
View Larger The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership has an ambitious plan to increase the amount of occupied retail space in the center city by 50 percent.

The partnership's board recently approved an update to the Downtown Area Plan, as did the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County planning board. The plan will go in front of city council later this month.


Council needs to approve the plan because it contains some land-use elements, and with its approval, the downtown partnership will be able to begin working through the goals outlined in the document.

Among a variety of initiatives the partnership would like to see come to fruition, retail is at the top of the list. Partnership President Jason Thiel said there is currently about 300,000 square feet of occupied street-level retail space in downtown, and he wants to add 150,000 square feet of leased retail space to that figure within the next several years through a mixture of new space and filling existing properties.

"I think the low-hanging fruit is obviously to fill some of the vacant space, but there are open spaces that would lend themselves toward new projects," he said.

Though Thiel said nothing was specifically in the works, he pointed to the GMAC parking lot at the corner of Fourth and Spruce streets and the area around the city's transportation center at the corner of Fifth and Trade as possibilities for development.

"If we do have a project that comes through, we feel like we've got the space for it," Thiel said.

Under the umbrella of "retail," Thiel also includes restaurants and entertainment venues. Some of those, including the Quizno's and Bruegger's bagel shop in the Nissen building, are close to opening and others, such as R.J. Reynolds Tobacco's Marshall McGearty Tobbaco Lounge concept and Bazaar, a tapas bar and nightclub with a Moroccan theme, will open later this summer.

In general, Thiel said he hopes the retail development will help connect downtown's two developing districts -- Fourth Street west of Cherry Street and Trade Street north of Fifth.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/06/04/story2.html?b=1180929600%5e1469972&surround=etf
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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Major biotech conference to be held in Winston-Salem

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - 11:01 AM EDT Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The Council for Entrepreneurial Development will return to Winston-Salem for its Biotech 2008 conference, after making the city the first host for the event outside Research Triangle Park in 2006.

Gwyn Riddick, director of the Piedmont Triad office of the N.C. Biotechnology Center, said Biotech 2008 will be May 19-20 of next year. The event draws hundreds of scientists, executives and investors from around the region.

Riddick said he was pleased the major conference will be returning next year.

"The Piedmont Triad is still in the heavy research and entrepreneurial phase of biotech development, but our economic story is getting bigger each year now that we have two regional research parks in early development," Riddick said, referring to the Piedmont Triad Research Park in Winston-Salem and the Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro.
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National Black Theatre Festival announces details

Hal Williams and Vanessa Bell Calloway will serve as celebrity co-chairs of the National Black Theatre Festival this summer, festival organizers said today during a star-studded press conference.

Williams is perhaps best known for his starring role on the Emmy-Award-winning sitcom 227. Calloway appeared in such films as Coming to America and on television on the such shows as Boston Public, The Closer and Joan of Arcadia.

Both are longtime supporters of the festival, said Brian McLaughlin, the festival's media relations director.

Larry Leon Hamlin, the founder and director of the festival, has been ill and is not expected to attend this year's festival. Festival organizers have declined to discuss his condition.

"Larry will not be with us this year, but we have every effort to ensure that this is not just a festival but a 'marvtastic' festival," said Nigel Alston, the festival's fundraising co-chairman.

Alston said that the festival is close to meeting its fund-raising goals. Mayor Alan Joines, who is leading fund raising with Alston, said the city has committed $150,000 to the festival and will give another $25,000 for a youth program.

http://kfcplainfield.com/tv/227b.jpghttp://www.polarblairsden.com/tvsanfordandsonhoppyandsmitty01.jpg
do u know the 2 other W-S natives that starred in 227?

Hal Williams: TV - Sanford and Son, 227, The Sinbad Show. Film - Hardcore, Private Benjamin, The Cherokee Kid Guess Who and The Rookie.

http://gfx.filmweb.pl/p/5466/po.112231.jpg
Vanessa Bell Calloway: TV - Boston Public, All My Children. Film - What's Love Got to Do With It? Coming to America and Cheaper by the Dozen

[TwinCity]

Saturday, June 9, 2007
RJR drops plan for downtown smoking lounge
It says that smoking restrictions spurred marketing change

By Richard Craver
JOURNAL REPORTER

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has stubbed out plans to open a smoking lounge in downtown Winston-Salem.

Company spokesman David Howard said yesterday that its proposed Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge will not open this summer as planned. The expansion of smoking restrictions, nationally and regionally, prompted Reynolds to change its marketing strategy for the premium brand, he said.

The new brand is only a tiny part of Reynolds’ portfolio, but it was started in December 2005 as an attempt to reach upscale adult consumers.

The smoking-lounge concept was used as a marketing tool.

Reynolds announced plans for the Winston-Salem lounge - its second - in July 2006. The company was within weeks of completing extensive renovations to the building, which is on the corner of West Fourth and Marshall streets.

According to Bonnie Herzog, an analyst for Citigroup, 17 states now require smoke-free workplaces for all workers, including restaurants and bar workers. Other states, such as Louisiana and Nevada, have passed laws restricting smoking in all workplaces except for standalone bars and casinos.

Reynolds inaugurated the “ridiculously plush” lounge in Chicago to showcase the “superpremium” cigarette brand called Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisans. A pack sells for $9 in Chicago, which includes $3.86 in taxes. In addition to the cigarettes, the lounge offers alcoholic and other beverages and light food. It is restricted to people 21 and older.

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351552734

[Raleigh-NC]

Guess I won't miss it since I am not a smoker :lol:

[DCmetroraleigh]

do u know the 2 other W-S natives that starred in 227?

Helen Martin, who played Weeping Wanda on Good Times, was also from Winston.

[TwinCity]

Friday, June 15, 2007

Project gets a boost
Planning board leaves details to be worked out by city council before final OK

By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER

The City-County Planning Board unanimously approved yesterday a rezoning request for a proposed ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem, although the developers have still not said what the stadium will look like, how much sound and light it give off, or where visitors will park.

After an hourlong public hearing, board members decided that all of those details can be worked out by the Winston-Salem City Council before it signs off on the project.

“We don’t usually approve things that we know so little about,” board member Carol Eickmeyer said.

Joseph Bellissimo, one of the ballpark developers, said that consultants are working on a noise and parking study.

He said that the developers plan to meet with neighbors at the beginning of next month to share the results before the city council meets.

“It’s exciting. We like the faith that they showed us and we live here, too. We’re going to build something we can be proud of,” Bellissimo said.

Yesterday’s vote is one more sign that the stadium project is moving forward.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351646124&path=&s=
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W-S seeks funding for Soldier Institute
The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - June 15, 2007

A futuristic effort to regrow limbs lost by soldiers in combat has Wake Forest University in line to receive $8 million in the next state budget and possibly tens of millions more from the federal government over the next five years.

If included in the final state budget, the money would support a new Soldier Institute of Regenerative Medicine, an initiative of the Department of Defense. That federal agency also could send $10 million per year in funding through 2012 to the Piedmont Triad Research Park for a new biomanufacturing facility affiliated with the existing research lab run there by Dr. Anthony Atala.

The version of the state budget passed by the Senate at the end of May included $4 million each in recurring and nonrecurring funds for the Soldier Institute for 2007 and 2008. The House version of the budget did not include that money.

While it won't be known if the appropriation will survive until the two chambers pass a final budget, possibly by the end of this month, supporters of the project are hopeful. Both of the Senate sponsors of the funding legislation are on the conference committee hammering out differences with the House, including Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, who is co-chairing that committee.

Sen. Pete Brunstetter, R-Forsyth, the bill's other sponsor, is also on the conference committee. He said he is pushing to include the money because the project could be important for the biotech economy in the Triad, and also because it is a meaningful way to support American troops seriously injured and impaired from war.

The federal government "has already recognized regenerative medicine as being a critical part of the treatment of wounded soldiers," Brunstetter said. "This funding represents North Carolina saying it's also important to us, both because of our large military population and because of the research efforts at Wake Forest."

Leveraging Atala
Some of that research is already taking place at the Wake Forest University Institute for Regenerative Medicine. But it would be given a major boost by such large commitments from the state and federal governments, said Atala, one of the world's leading scientists in such studies.

Atala and his team make international headlines on a regular basis for their research into using a patient's own cells to regrow organs.

Atala's most advanced work so far has been in internal organs such as the bladder, but he said the same principles that allow a new organ to grow from the cells of a damaged one could also apply to bones and skin or small body parts such as ears.

The U.S. Dept. of Defense has placed a high priority on wound treatments. While improved defensive strategies and emergency medical techniques have cut fatalities in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers who survive an attack often must live with severe injuries and disfigurements.

Wake Forest is already a member of the Soldier Treatment and Regeneration Consortium along with scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, among other institutions. These institutions are working together on a short-term goal of regrowing a functioning finger.

"We already have the soldier consortium active here," Atala said. "What we'd like to do is expand its work further."

Atala said the bulk of all the new money being sought would go toward a facility in the Piedmont Triad Research Park that meets the "Good Manufacturing Practice" standards required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That site would be where organs and tissues for patients could be regenerated in larger volumes than is possible in a research lab.

Atala said it is too early to know how large such a facility would be or how many people it would employ. But he suggested that the $8 million from the state and up to $50 million currently planned from the defense department plus a $2 million per year commitment from Wake Forest could be only the beginning.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/06/18/story1.html?b=1182139200^1476648
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RibFest 2007 is coming to Winston-Salem this weekend. The festival showcases some of the best cooks in the region and also offers live music all weekend. The festival runs Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Cost is $5 for adults (except Saturday night which is $8). Kids 12 and under FREE. SideBar

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3493394&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

www.twincityribfest.com
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YWCA grandopening scheduled for June 16

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world and they're expanding in Winston-Salem. On Saturday, June 16th the YWCA @ the Gateway will open their doors to the community. Advertisement

The 90,000 sq. ft. facility is the largest YWCA on the east coast. The facility features a 9,000 - square foot fitness center with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strengthening equipment; a competition swimming pool and family water park; three full-size basket ball courts; a computerized library; and a cyber café.

Since the facility is brand new, the program staff says they are looking to the community for program input. They want to truly service the community's needs with their programs, so they want members to help with activity planning.

For more information on the YWCA @ the Gateway, visit the facility on Saturday, June 16.

[TwinCity]

http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/Liberty_Place_Condos_Final_Rendering_12_18_06_1_a.jpg

Demolition of building to start Winston-Salem condo project

June 25, 2007

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area

The developer of a downtown condominium project in Winston-Salem was slated to demolish the existing building at 575 Liberty St. Monday to make way for the project.

The developer, 575 Liberty LLC, plans to build a four-story, 36-unit condominium building in place of the Advance Auto building on Liberty Street, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Pre-construction pricing starts from the $220,000s, with units including private balconies and underground parking.

[Raleigh-NC]

That is a great looking building, and a little out of the ordinary. I take it the ground floor is actually used for parking, but judging from the rendering it does not look bad, at all. Thanks for the update, TwinCity :)

[cityboi]

nice building

[TwinCity]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/A1.jpg
after the demo

[TwinCity]

from the WSJ:

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Family Services breaks ground on new headquarters

Family Services, Inc. broke ground today on its new headquarters.

The building at 1200 S. Broad St. is the first new construction project in Forsyth County to be certified "green" by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 15,100 square-foot is being built on a 4-acre site in the Gateway, a mixed-use development near Old Salem and the N.C. School of the Arts.

It will serve as the agency's primary site for programs including counseling, victim services, adoption, CONTACT Hopelines and Ways to Work, as well as the administrative center. It is expected to open in the spring.
http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/images/2006/05/25/buildinggreen.jpg

[cityboi]

New rendering released for Winston-Salem downtown ballpark. Look like Camden Yards

here is Camden Yards

http://mall.ballparks.com/images/349pz_fs.jpg

Winston's Ballpark

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i176/lilgeorge3272/Ballpark2.jpg

Classic stadium! It looks more like Camden Yards than Durham's Ballpark. Its almost identical on the outside, just smaller.


I imagine since there are only about 5,000 seats much of the seating would be on the upper deck like the park in Zebulon based on the height of Winston's proposed ballpark. That way spectators would get a clear view of Winston-Salem's skyline.
http://www.baseballodyssey.com/carolina3.JPG

[Raleigh-NC]

I LOVE the rendering of W-S's new ballpark!!! I like the design of the stadium, as well as the surrounding development :)

[cityboi]

I LOVE the rendering of W-S's new ballpark!!! I like the design of the stadium, as well as the surrounding development :)

its cool. Its a mini-Camden Yards, kinda cute.

[TwinCity]

i just hope he upper deck seats are high enough to get a nice view of the skyline. that site sits really low.

[cityboi]

i just hope he upper deck seats are high enough to get a nice view of the skyline. that site sits really low.

Im sure they will. A big reason they are building the stadium high has to do with visibilty of the city. the other reason is that it makes it seem more like a big league park.

You cant cut the trees down but you can build the stadium taller ;) there is more than one way to skin a cat. It should look very impressive from Business 40.

[TwinCity]

Group suggests city provide night trolley
Weekend route could be boon to downtown

By Jim Sparks
JOURNAL REPORTER

People hanging out in downtown Winston-Salem on weekend nights could soon have a new way to get around: trolley service.

The DASH, a group of young professionals that promotes activities downtown, has asked the Winston-Salem Transit Authority to determine how much it would cost to run the trolleys for about five hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

The route would go between Broad and Trade Streets by way of Fourth Street, said Greg Turner, an assistant city manager in charge of public works.

“They want to know how much it will cost so they can evaluate their funding options,” Turner said. “Once they know that they could talk to us or they could talk to sources in the private sector.”

Susan Maier and her brother, Thomas Maier, are leading the DASH’s push to get trolleys rolling along Fourth Street on weekend nights.

The DASH formed in January 2005 in response to complaints by many younger adults that there is very little to do here. Its name refers to the hyphen between Winston and Salem.

Susan Maier says she believes that the idea will work because more people are visiting and living downtown.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173351989876&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099
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Winston-Salem among top 25 metros in Forbes listing

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - July 12, 2007

Winston-Salem ranked 24th in Forbes magazine's online rankings of "Best Metro Areas for Business and Careers." The Greensboro metro was 61st in the list.

The rankings were done in association with Forbes' listing of the best states for business, where North Carolina placed third, behind Virginia and Utah. In all, Forbes ranked 200 metro areas.


Factors listed in North Carolina's favor included the state's second-lowest cost of labor, at 18 percent below the national average.

Forbes said statewide incomes are expected to increase by 3.8 percent per year over the next five years, the second-fastest projected rate in the nation.

Winston-Salem ranked seventh among all metros in cost of doing business, which helped offset rankings of 121 and 110, respectively, in the categories of job growth and educational attainment.

Other North Carolina metros included in the rankings were Raleigh, which was first; Durham (7th); Charlotte (21st); Asheville (23rd); Wilmington (38th); Fayetteville (105th); and Hickory (167th).
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Saturday, July 14, 2007

Restaurant chain to move operations to Winston-Salem

JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT

Red Hot & Blue Restaurants Inc. said yesterday that it will move its administrative functions and franchise support to Winston-Salem from Arlington, Va., in the fall.

The chain has 33 restaurants that feature barbecue and showcase blues music and memorabilia.

The company was acquired in December by Dancing Pigs LLC, a company controlled by Randy McCann and John Walker.

Walker, the company’s chief executive, said that the move will allow the chain to be closer to its current franchise base and to new markets that it expects to open to franchisees.

He also said that the move puts the company “squarely in the middle of the barbecue belt.”

The long-term business climate in Winston-Salem and North Carolina was also attractive to Red Hot & Blue given the company’s growth plans, the company said.
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2nd Annual Chris Paul's Winston-Salem Weekend
September 14-16, 2007

For more information about Chris Paul's Winston-Salem Weekend please email CPWSW@octagon.com.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the inaugural Chris Paul's Winston-Salem Weekend! The CP3 Foundation raised more than $150,000 to establish a scholarship at Wake Forest University.

In 2007, the primarily beneficiary of the CP3 Foundation’s fundraising efforts will be Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County.


Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 14

Youth Day of Service
Ninth and Tenth graders from participating schools will have the opportunity to work on one of four service projects including a Habitat for Humanity wall build and a Feed the Children food distribution event.

Gala
This festive evening at the Benton Convention Center will encompass dinner, dancing, an open bar, a silent auction, and remarks by a celebrity emcee. Tables of ten are available for purchase by emailing CPWSW@octagon.com.


Saturday, September 15

Celebrity Bowling Tournament

In 2006, Chris, along with celebrities including LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Dwight Howard, guests and sponsors, engaged in a fun, yet competitive, evening of bowling. Bowling teams are available for purchase by emailing CPWSW@octagon.com.


Sunday, September 16

Community Church Service and After Church Social

Chris will again host an interdenominational Christian worship service at the Benton Convention Center featuring the Wake Forest University Gospel Choir and the Choir from Dreamland Park Baptist Church, followed by a traditional Church Social featuring down-home Southern food and socializing. In 2007, the Church Social will be open to the public. Suggested donation: $10.

About the CP3 Foundation

As an NBA rookie, Chris Paul made the decision to remain a visible and active part of the Greater Winston-Salem, North Carolina community. He is committed to using his stature and profile to give back to the community that supported him, and to the high school and university that launched his basketball career. During the summer of 2005, Chris initiated a philanthropic campaign designed to highlight his dedication to the Winston-Salem community that nurtured him from his days as a stand-out high school student athlete to a national star at Wake Forest. These efforts included the refurbishment of basketball courts at the Rupert Bell Recreation Center in East Winston-Salem in 2005.

His committment to giving back to his community also led to the 1st Annual Chris Paul's Winston-Salem Weekend. The CP3 Foundation is a donor-advised fund administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation.
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Monday, July 16, 2007

City will move teen concert series to fairgrounds

JOURNAL STAFF REPORT

The Drop, a popular downtown concert for teenagers, is moving to the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Mayor Allen Joines said today.

City officials met this morning about The Drop and are meeting again this afternoon to sort out the details of the move.

The change comes after a 13-year-old girl was shot in the jaw after leaving the concert Friday. Crowds have steadily increased since the first concert on June 1 and in recent weeks many teens have been turned away because the current site, Corpening Plaza, is too small.

The Drop was started as a way to give teenagers something to do because hundreds were already heading downtown on Fridays for the Fourth Street Jazz series.

[Raleigh-NC]

I like the way you present the news :okay: Easy to read and informative. Congratulations for getting the "Red, Hot & Blue" chain; I love their food!!! More important, congratulations on your The Best Places For Business And Careers (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/1/07bestplaces_Best-Places-For-Business-And-Careers_land.html) ranking. Here is the list (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/1/07bestplaces_Best-Places-For-Business-And-Careers-NC_7Rank.html) for the entire state of North Carolina - at least the areas Forbes considered.

[TwinCity]

^^ thanks. im glad somebody is reading it.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

If you build it, will they come and park?
Some fans, neighbors worried by latest plan

By Bertrand M. Guti?rrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

For some people, baseball games at Winston-Salem’s planned downtown ballpark would come with a one-mile, round-trip walk from car door to stadium gate under the project’s latest parking plan.

The city is requiring the ballpark’s developers to provide 1,283 parking spaces for the 5,500-seat stadium.

Joe Bellissimo, the project director for Brookstown Development Partners LLC, said yesterday that 850 spaces would be next to the stadium, similar to the distance between parking lots at Groves Stadium and the entrance to Ernie Shore Field, where the Winston-Salem Warthogs now play home games.

But a third of the 1,283 spaces - 433 - would be found in a piecemeal collection of downtown parking lots, some as far east as Spruce Street and many in the Holly Avenue neighborhood. More than 700 potential off-site parking spaces have been targeted downtown, and about half of them sit along Holly Avenue, according to a list of parking lots submitted to the city by the developers.

“I am very alarmed,” said Judy Pappas, the president of the Holly Avenue Neighborhood Association. “We were told that we wouldn’t be impacted by parking because it’s too far from the ballpark.… I don’t want our neighborhood to be turned into the city’s parking lot.”

The off-site parking lots that would be used have not been decided on because agreements must be negotiated with the lot owners, Bellissimo said.

Parking plans must be submitted before Aug. 6, when the Winston-Salem City Council is scheduled to vote on a rezoning request that would allow the developer to break ground on the stadium. After the ballpark is finished, the city is anticipating spending $16 million for parking decks near the stadium.


For some people, baseball games at Winston-Salem’s planned downtown ballpark would come with a one-mile, round-trip walk from car door to stadium gate under the project’s latest parking plan.

The city is requiring the ballpark’s developers to provide 1,283 parking spaces for the 5,500-seat stadium.

Joe Bellissimo, the project director for Brookstown Development Partners LLC, said yesterday that 850 spaces would be next to the stadium, similar to the distance between parking lots at Groves Stadium and the entrance to Ernie Shore Field, where the Winston-Salem Warthogs now play home games.

But a third of the 1,283 spaces - 433 - would be found in a piecemeal collection of downtown parking lots, some as far east as Spruce Street and many in the Holly Avenue neighborhood. More than 700 potential off-site parking spaces have been targeted downtown, and about half of them sit along Holly Avenue, according to a list of parking lots submitted to the city by the developers.

“I am very alarmed,” said Judy Pappas, the president of the Holly Avenue Neighborhood Association. “We were told that we wouldn’t be impacted by parking because it’s too far from the ballpark.… I don’t want our neighborhood to be turned into the city’s parking lot.”

The off-site parking lots that would be used have not been decided on because agreements must be negotiated with the lot owners, Bellissimo said.

Parking plans must be submitted before Aug. 6, when the Winston-Salem City Council is scheduled to vote on a rezoning request that would allow the developer to break ground on the stadium. After the ballpark is finished, the city is anticipating spending $16 million for parking decks near the stadium.

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/07/19/parkingEnlarge.jpg

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352054033&path=&s=
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Green efforts earn 'Cool'designation for Winston

By Todd Luck
The Chronicle

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/untitled-1.jpg

The Foothills Group of the N.C. Sierra Club named Winston-Salem a "Cool City" recently for making a commitment to fight global warming through local conservation.

Winston-Salem is the 16th city in the state to be declared a Cool City by the Sierra Club. Mayors of Cool Cities have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Change Agreement, a pledge to work to reduce carbon dioxide pollution. Scientists say that carbon dioxide pollution causes global warming, an increase of the Earth's temperature that could have devastating effects.

The seriousness of global warming - which scientists say could cause deadly hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and the extinction of many forms of wildlife and vegetation - has caught the world's attention. More than 170 nations have signed the Kyoto Protocol Global Warming Treaty, which also calls for a carbon dioxide pollution reduction. The United States has not signed that treaty, despite cries to do so from environmental groups.

The mayor's agreement was started in 2005 by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to get action on global warming at a local level. So far more than 500 mayors have signed the agreement. Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines signed the agreement in March and the City Council passed a resolution in May to perform a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Carbon dioxide is one several greenhouse gases, which, if unchecked, are believed to be the main culprit in the warming of the Earth's surface.

The mayor was presented with a plaque of appreciation from the local Sierra Club. Joining Joines at Grace Court Park, were City Council Members Vivian Burke, Joycelyn Johnson, Molly Leight and Dan Besse.

Besse, who is also a candidate for N.C. Lt. Governor, said the city's energy supply and transportation system are its two big sources of carbon emissions. The city is looking for ways to cut emissions down and save energy, which will not only be good for the environment but also save the taxpayers money, Besse said.

The city took a small step in that direction last year with the purchase of of several Honda Civic hybrid sedans. The cars were bought after Council Members requested that city vehicles be more functional and economical.

N.C. Sierra Club Organizer Tom Jensen said that Winston-Salem is a trendsetter with its city vehicles.

"I always tell them Winston-Salem is the model for creating a fuel efficient fleet across the state," said Jensen.

The city is also looking for ways to make its heating and lighting systems more efficient. Besse said even the city's stoplights are designed to save energy and money, with energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) technology replacing traditional stoplight bulbs.

Foothills Cool Cities coordinator Elyse Jung said she was pleased that the mayor and City Council are dealing with such serious environmental issues.

"As you all know, this is a huge problem for us and most scientists agree we don't have much time to work on this," said Jung.

Joines said that with the lack of action on the federal government's part, local governments are stepping up to address the issue of global warming.

"I think certainly it will save the city money as we save power and deal with significant environmental challenges," said Joines.

Other Cool Cities in North Carolina include Chapel Hill, Durham, Boone, Asheville and Carrboro.

For more information and list of Cool Cities visit www.coolcities.us.
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Part of Sixth Street will convert to two-way on Sunday

JOURNAL STAFF REPORT

The three blocks of Sixth Street between Cherry and Main streets will be closed at 9 a.m. Sunday while a city crew repaints traffic lanes and installs signs to convert this section to two-way traffic. The work is scheduled to be completed and the street reopened by 3 p.m. The job will be postponed if it rains.

The block of Sixth Street between Marshall and Cherry streets will remain one-way until another lane can be added. For more information, call the Winston-Salem Transportation Department at 727-2708.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173352048682&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle
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Saturday, July 14, 2007

IT software supplier sets up office downtown
Solutience broke off from BMW in S.C., hopes to expand and hire more workers


By M. Paul Jackson
JOURNAL REPORTER

The view from Richard Fowler’s office in downtown Winston-Salem was overcast and rainy yesterday. But Fowler said he didn’t mind.

To Fowler, the chief executive of Solutience Inc., the view illustrates the American dream and the growth of his company.

“If I still lived in England, I don’t think this opportunity would’ve come my way,” he said.

Solutience is a small information-technology company based in South Carolina. It opened an office at the Winston Tower at 301 N. Main St. last month.

The company provides consulting and support services for the manufacturing industry, including automobile manufacturers, biotechnology laboratories and drug companies.

Business-management software is a multibillion-dollar industry, and companies that can provide support for businesses that use that software could see big financial gains, said Charles Iacovou, an assistant professor of information technology at Wake Forest University.

The business software has “really has become almost the basic platform for companies,” Iacovou said. “A whole industry has grown around providing secondary services” for those companies.

Solutience was a subsidiary of BMW Group but broke away from that business in a management buyout in 2003.

Solutience decided to open an office in Winston-Salem to be close to the region’s developing technology industry, Fowler said.

“Winston-Salem is also one of those places that you can see that the city is trying to do a redevelopment,” he said. “We like to become involved in the redevelopment of cities like this.”

■ M. Paul Jackson can be reached at 727-7473

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351999718&path=!business!areabusiness!&s=1037645507705

[Raleigh-NC]

You bet I read your W-S news :) One of the things I like about your city is that y'all are very silent with your progress and that is to W-S's credit. Keep up the good work, regardless of the number of replies you get.

[TwinCity]

Civic Plaza plans coming together

The White Furniture plant renovation in Mebane won't be the only Triad project Niemann will be involved with. On the other side of the region, he's the preferred developer for the Civic Plaza project in downtown Winston-Salem, considered by many center-city enthusiasts to be crucial to downtown's development. As the "preferred developer," Niemann is working on the plan for the project and has first rights to the property.

Civic Plaza, at one time called the "Superblock," consists of space generally bounded by Third, Fourth, Trade and Liberty streets. The development will be adjacent to the under-construction One Park Vista, which will have 33 high-end condominiums and commercial space on the first floor.

The project's overall complexity has caused it take longer than originally planned to get out of the ground, Niemann said, with new projects in downtown changing the market's needs. Also, questions about demolition or renovation of existing buildings on the property, which is owned by multiple users including Forsyth County, the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership Foundation and Piedmont Federal, have lingered.

Niemann said the current plan for Civic Plaza calls for a large park and a high-rise of between 20 and 22 stories that would include apartments, retail and office space.

"We don't have an exact number of apartments (figured out) yet," he said. "But more than likely it will be apartments priced at market rate with various sizes."

At the nearby Nissen building, by comparison, rents range from $700 for studio units to $1,165 a month for two-bedroom, two-bath units, according to the property's Web site.

Getting city, county help

The Pepper building, at the southwest corner of Fourth and Liberty streets, and the former county courthouse, which sits along Fourth Street between Liberty and Main streets, would both be preserved under the current plan, which Niemann said he's excited about.

"We've always had some angst about tearing those down," he said. "The fact that the community and the downtown partnership are thinking that (preservation is the best option) is music to my ears."

Niemann said that the Pepper building would still be part of the purchase of property that his company would make as part of the Civic Plaza project, and the renovation of it could include a retailer on the lower level and "more than likely, apartments" on the upper floors.

Civic Plaza has been a key component of the downtown Winston-Salem redevelopment plan for years, and with its location, Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership President Jason Thiel said it can serve as a connector between development that has taken place along Fourth Street, including the renovation of the Nissen building into apartments and new restaurants such as Mellow Mushroom, and the development along Trade Street and into the arts district that includes several galleries, restaurants and bars.


"This is the cornerstone of the (downtown Winston-Salem) plan," Thiel said of Civic Plaza.

Niemann said because of the scope of the project, which could have a value of more than $100 million when fully built out, he will discuss partnerships with the city and county for infrastructure, such as a parking deck, that would help defray his costs.

"Because of the Civic Plaza being public space and the cost of a parking facility ... I think it justifies the public/private partnership, given the economic impact."

Niemann said he hopes to begin those discussions as early as this summer, and that construction on Civic Plaza could begin as soon as next spring or summer.

Reach Matt Harrington at (336) 725-1163 or mharrington@bizjournals

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/06/25/story2.html?page=2
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Award-winning dinosaur live show coming to Winston-Salem

11:37 AM EDT Monday, July 23, 2007
by Matt Harrington

Winston-Salem's Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum will be one of 20 North American tour stops -- and the only one in North Carolina -- for an award-winning live dinosaur show based on the BBC series "Walking with Dinosaurs."

City officials as well as Bruce Mactaggart, head of Immersion Entertainment, which is the producer of the live show, announced Winston-Salem's inclusion this morning at the coliseum.


The show, which had its North American premiere in the Seattle area July 11-15, will play seven shows in Winston-Salem from Oct. 10-14. In Seattle, the show sold more than $2.3 million in tickets and was seen by more than 52,000 people.

"Walking with Dinosaurs: The Live Experience," features 15 dinosaurs created with state-of-the-art technology as well as theater-style craftsmanship. The tallest dinosaur, the Brachiosaurus, stands 53 feet tall, which will put it just two feet below from the video board at the coliseum, Mactaggart said.

"This is not an exhibit," he told an audience of elected officials, media and other community guests. "This is an entire theatrical experience."

The show's score was performed by an 80-piece orchestra in Sydney, Australia, where the live show made its international premiere.

"Every now and then, an event comes along that is truly unique," said Bucky Dame, director of the coliseum complex. "This really has a 'wow' factor."

Tickets will cost between $27.50 and $68 for the two-hour shows, and there is a family night special for the first performance, which features an $8 discount on the first 3,000 upper-level seats sold. Tickets go on sale July 28.

Mactaggart said he has invested six years and $20 million into production of the show. The BBC show won several awards, including three Emmys, and was watched by more than 700 million people.

"We are thrilled to be part of this event traveling around the United States," said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. "We're in very distinguished company in terms of the cities it will be coming to."
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More downtown streets to become 2-ways

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/images/2007/07/23/fifthmap.gif
these are scheduled to be converted in 2009

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352099325&path=&s=

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for the updates, TwinCity. I am glad to hear that the Civic Plaza high-rise went back to 20+ floors. If I recall, it started like that, but they reduced the height to 16 floors afterwards. Either way it is going to be a nice project, but I prefer the 20+ story version, so I am glad to hear the good news. Also, I am happy to hear about the street conversion. I always feel limited with one-way streets.

[TwinCity]

yes i hope its official. some members on another forum say that we should see the new renderings pretty soon.

[g-man430]

Congratulations on getting the dinosaur show. We were one of the lucky 20 cities selected too. :cheers:

[TwinCity]

Fox8 posted an excellent video of their special report on downtown residential. its pretty much a summary of the majority of projects that are built, planned, proposed, and under construction.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3847530&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
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W-S office market continues to tighten

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - 2:59 PM EDT Monday, July 23, 2007

The Winston-Salem office market continues to tighten and currently has a 16.4 percent vacancy rate, its lowest since January 2001, according to data released Monday by local appraiser Michael Clapp.

Clapp's semi-annual market report showed average asking rates also are creeping up, to $16.68 in this survey, up from $16.56 in January and $16.37 a year ago.


The vacancy rate, which is taken from 53 properties surveyed, improved from 18.2 percent, where it was both in January and last July.

The improvements took place in the downtown and north Winston-Salem submarkets. Vacancy rates in the west submarket, which includes the popular Stratford Road corridor, were slightly higher, at 13.4 percent, up from 12.2 percent in January and 10.8 percent a year ago.

High-end, or "Class A" office space, is as full as it has been in two and a half years, Clapp said, with a 13.7 percent vacancy rate. The Class B market is also improving.

While the report showed good news, Clapp cautioned that, according to survey results, "rent concessions are commonplace in both (Class A and Class B), so it is quite likely actual rents are lower than asking rents."

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/07/23/daily10.html?jst=b_ln_hl
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Winston-Salem Taking Steps to Go Green

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3853723&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
video

Last Edited: Monday, 23 Jul 2007, 12:53 PM EDT
Created: Monday, 23 Jul 2007, 12:53 PM EDT

The city of Winston-Salem has joined a growing number of U.S. cities that have made conserving energy a priority. From recycling methane gas waste for other purposes to inserting hybrid and gas-sipping cars into the city's fleet, Winston-Salem has taken serious steps to cutting down on its carbon footprint. Even an adopt-a-flowerbed program has been instituted.

[Raleigh-NC]

Both pieces of news are excellent. Lower vacancy rates will help new proposals. If I recall correctly, the renovations in the Winston Tower supplieded more office space to the downtown market and that wasn't easy to overcome. More "green" initiatives are also a step to the right direction :okay:

[Smallville]

Twin City,

Thanks for all the updates. I never realized their were so many different types of housing being built in downtown. I work downtown but didn't pay much attention I guess. I really hope they build a 20 plus story building as part of the civic plaza.

I am happy they are going to preserve alot of the historic buildings as well. That is one of the many reasons I love living in Winston Salem. The old combined with the new just gives it a whole different feel than some cities I have been too.

[Raleigh-NC]

I totally agree with you, W-S has a very different feel to it, a nice blend of historic and modern structures. I watched the video about the residential options and truly impressed me. Unfortunately, and I cannot explain that, Triad cities are very silent about their progress. There is so much going on, but nowhere near the noise other places make :) I am looking forward to my next visit, which shouldn't be too long from now.

[krazeeboi]

I hope Civic Plaza goes through; the renderings looked really nice.

Speaking of office vacancies, how much total office space exists in downtown Winston-Salem?

[TwinCity]

I have no idea krazeeboi. i went to the DWSP website and it didnt provide any info.

smallville, i think a lot of people dont realize it either...lol. but yeah, civic plaza could be something really eye-catching if both the courthouse and pepper building are preserved along with a 20+ tower. this is the first time since 2004 where the courthouse was brought up as a potenial part of the development. at one time there was a rumor that it would be demolished for future building.

raleighnc, speaking of vacancy rates, todays article is a bit scary. nothing is really official or guaranteed, but still you cant help but worry that GMAC could cut operations in downtown.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

GMAC Insurance reviews operation in Winston-Salem

JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT

GMAC Insurance said yesterday that it is evaluating all of its Winston-Salem operation as speculation increases about potential job cuts here.

GMAC has about 1,170 employees locally, according to Nigel Alston, the director of employee and community relations for the division.

Asked to comment on speculation that there might be changes in store for the company’s local data and human-resources operations, Alston said: “There have been meetings with employees to explain the changes we’re going through as we’re organizing for growth and more profit. We’re taking a look at all the business functions, not just in technology.”

The division’s parent company, GMAC Financial Services, was bought in November by a consortium of investors led by Cerberus FIM Investors LLC, a private-investment company based in New York; Citigroup Inc.; Aozora Bank Ltd.; and The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

“It’s nothing that is necessarily imminent, but I don’t have a particular timeline,” Alston said. “We would be changing whether we had new ownership just because of the times.”

GMAC Insurance is not alone among major area employers pursuing cost savings through outsourcing and offshoring information-technology services. A short list includes Aon Corp., BB&T Corp., Dell Inc., Hanesbrands Inc., and Wachovia Corp.

Employment officials said that thousands of jobs could be at stake, either locally or within companies’ domestic operations.

[Raleigh-NC]

That is not very encouraging news :( However, I wonder if the city can offer initiatives to make sure that GMAC stays where it is. The thing to keep an eye on is the acquisition of GMAC Financial Services by another group. This type of acquisitions always sounds scary to me, but it may be a false alarm as far as massive layoffs are concerned, although some could take place. Maybe W-S's GMAC staff will survive this phase.

As the Fox 8 video showed, the interest for living in the heart of the city is probably going to be the driving force for much of the future construction. Demand for urban housing - regardless of one's employment location - will create the next construction boom; it is happening, already. Higher vacancy rates are scary, but at the same time they provide space that can be leased to larger entities. At this point in time, however, it is safe to say that DT W-S is on its way up, even with a few bumps along the way. I wish the best for the GMAC employees.

[Smallville]

^^
My cousin used to work for GMAC. She lost her job during the first layoffs they had. Her job was outsourced to the Philippines. Her Husband is a WS Police Officer so they weren't hurting too bad even though they had three children to raise. She is now in nursing school at FTCC and she will graduate as an RN in May of 2008.

[Raleigh-NC]

Man, that sucks :( One salary is very hard to feed 5 mouths. Hopefully, it won't be as bad for GMAC employees this time.

[TwinCity]

Metro news...

Friday, July 27, 2007

Small hospital for Kernersville approved by state; site selected

By Wesley Young
JOURNAL REPORTER

KERNERSVILLE

Forsyth Medical Center has won approval from the state to build a 50-bed hospital in Kernersville, Greg Beier, the chief executive officer of the hospital, announced this morning.

Beier said at a press conference that the $84 million hospital will employ more than 300 people and have a payroll of more than $17 million. Beier also announced a site: a 70-acre tract off Macy Grove Road that is north of I-40 and to the east of N.C. 66.

Beier said he hopes that construction can begin early next year, with the hospital opening sometime in 2009.

Beier said the hospital received the final approval of state regulators yesterday. The hospital effort had to fend off earlier opposition from High Point Regional Health System, which had objected to the original site south of I-40. High Point Regional and Novant Inc., the parent company of Forsyth Medical Center, settled their differences in June.

Today's press conference came 14 months after Forsyth Medical Center first announced plans for a Kernersville hospital. Mayor Curtis Swisher said that since the first announcement he's continually heard questions about when the hospital would come.

"I'm here this morning to tell you that all these snags and hurdles have been worked out and we are getting a hospital," Swisher said.


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thanks to cosmoboy for the rendering
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best wishes to the Prosser and Deacon family for their untimely loss. it has truly been a sad couple of days here in Winston.

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/images/2007/07/26/prosser_promo.jpg
George Edward "Skip" Prosser

Born: November 3, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Family: Wife, Nancy; Sons, Scott and Mark

Education: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 1972 (undergraduate degree in Nautical Science); West Virginia, 1980 (Master's degree in secondary education)

Head coaching career: Wake Forest (2001-07); Xavier (1994-2000); Loyola, Maryland (1993-94)

Records: Wake Forest 126-68; Xavier 148-65; Loyola 17-13

NCAA Tournament appearances: 1994 with Loyola (0-1); 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 with Xavier (1-4); 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 with Wake Forest (5-4)

many reflect on Skip including Chris Paul.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3892332&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3893693&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
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big news coming out of PTRP...

Targacept inks major deal with Glaxo

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - 9:38 AM EDT Friday, July 27, 2007

GlaxoSmithKline has signed a deal with Targacept that could be worth as much as $1.5 billion to the Winston-Salem drug-discovery company.

Under the terms of the deal, GlaxoSmithKline will fund the discovery, development and marketing of Targacept compounds that target pain and other central nervous system disorders. The lead product candidate, known as TC-2696, is now in a Phase 2 trial for acute post-operative pain.


The partnership between the two companies also covers therapeutic targets in smoking cessation, obesity, addiction and Parkinson's disease.

In return for an exclusive license to option resulting products, GlaxoSmithKline will make an initial payment to Targacept of $35 million -- $15 million of which will go towards the purchase of Targacept stock.

If Targacept were to hit all its milestones across all of the focus areas of the partnership, its total payments under the deal would be around $1.5 billion, plus royalties from future sales.

Targacept CEO Don deBethizy said the deal validates the importance of the "neuronal nicotinic receptors" that form the basis of his company's research. NNRs are a special class of receptors in the brain.

"This uniquely structured deal enables us to accelerate the progression of our pipeline, capitalize on our discovery and development expertise and leverage the resources of a premier global pharmaceutical company while retaining considerable value," deBethizy said.

Targacept's research into the potential use of NNRS in treatments of brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease first originated in the labs of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. RJR spun off Targacept as an independent company in 2000, and it went public in 2006.

Targacept already has a development deal potentially worth about $300 million with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca covering Targacept's Alzheimer's drug. Another Triad biotech company, High Point-based TransTech Pharma, also signed a billion-dollar-plus deal last year with Pfizer to fund development of its Alzheimer's treatment.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/07/23/daily41.html?jst=b_ln_hl

[TwinCity]

sounds like the stadium development is already accomplishing one of its goals...reducing crime in West Salem.

Crime Rate Drops Where Ballpark Planned
Police say since the homes in the area became vacant and prepped for demolition crime has dropped.


Winston-Salem, NC -- Crime is striking out in one part of the Triad.

A proposed ball park in downtown Winston-Salem is one reason why. Advertisement

Police say since the homes in the area became vacant and prepped for demolition crime has dropped.

In the 40-acre development area, total calls to police numbers 190 with 41 involving drugs and assaults.

That same time period this year, shows 170 calls with 21 involving drugs and assault.

The only difference being people moved out and boarded up homes.

City leaders say it means the beginning of a transformation.
An area once burdened with crime is on deck to becoming an area burgeoning with progress.

It's what Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines sees as the early benefits of building the ballpark.

"Since we've started putting some attention here with regards to buying homes and getting them boarded up and ready to demolish them, i understand the crime level has dropped off already."

Demolition crews will be responsible for taking out 40 buildings in the development area.

Some of the homes will be moved.

Once there job is complete - the grading wil begin.

And a lot of the progress will be viewed by people passing by on Business 40.

The downtown stadium is scheduled to open in time for the Warthogs' 2009 season.

City leaders say the public-private partnership sees the city's investment pay for itself.

The city will receive money from ticket surcharges and the taxes paid by the stadium itself.

video:
http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=87786

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news for the August DWSP newsletter

ONE PARK VISTA, the luxury condominium project on Fourth Street between Cherry and Trade, continues its construction phase. Currently the concrete structure is being poured with the “topping out” of the building anticipated around the first of November. Sales of the 33 units are in progress with a target completion date of June, 2008. Prices begin in the high $200,000’s.


LIBERTY PLACE CONDOMINIUMS is now site-ready for construction to begin sometime between now and October. Demolition of the old Auto Zone building at Liberty and Seventh has been completed.

THE ARTISTS ON LIBERTY BUILDING (AOL) is moving forward quickly with over half of the 10 second floor apartments scheduled to be completed by August. Pre-leasing is underway with rents ranging from $800 to $1200 per month. For information or an on-site visit, contact Gena Knighten at 703-1503.
http://files.changemywebsite.com/874533/img/IMG_0642-2a-1a.jpg

TALON PROPERTIES has purchased the building at 201 N. Broad Street at Second. The 15,600 s.f., 3-story building, will undergo extensive renovations to the interior and also to the façade. For lease information call John Ruffin at Meridian Realty 722-1986.

[Raleigh-NC]

Dropping the crime rate is always good :okay: New developments always help. Hopefully, the crime isn't going to move to other locations.

[Smallville]

Dropping the crime rate is always good :okay: New developments always help. Hopefully, the crime isn't going to move to other locations.

That area has always been a blighted. It will be really nice when the stadium as well as the rest of the development is completed. It will look great from Business 40.

[Cosmoboy]

That was a terribly written article, so many grammar mistakes.

[krazeeboi]

I hate to sound pessimistic here, but isn't just a given that crime will drop wherever demolition of people's homes is taking place? I would expect other areas of the city to experience an uptick, since the problem is really only shifting from one area of the city to another or others.

[TwinCity]

^very true

[TwinCity]

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Pepper Building added to plans
Developer reworks Civic Plaza project to preserve historic architecture downtown

By Bertrand M. Gutiérrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Civic Plaza plan, on hold for nearly a year, still has a pulse.

The latest plan calls for two new buildings about 20 stories high in downtown Winston-Salem, the restoration of the old courthouse, demolition of the sheriff’s building, and a new public plaza - all on three acres at the intersection of Trade and Fourth streets.

One of the key differences now is that the Pepper Building, on the southwest corner of Fourth and Liberty streets, would be renovated and used for retail stores, offices and residences. It had been scheduled for demolition under a previous version of the Civic Plaza plan.

The Pepper Building wears on its terra-cotta façade the worn appearance that old buildings tend to have after years of being vacant and unused, but preservationists say that it should not be demolished. They say that it is a historic piece of architecture that marks a time when downtown Winston-Salem bustled with tobacco trucks.

Mayor Allen Joines helped relay concerns about the Pepper Building to the developer, Niemann Capital LLC, based in Durham.

“I think that everyone had hoped that that (renovation) could happen.… I think it’s great that we’re going to be able to keep that building.”

Discussions on whether to renovate the building have stalled the overall project.

But the delay has led to a project that would allow historic-tax credits to be used. Tapping that source of income will be important, because the project is estimated to cost between $81 million and $92 million, according to a source close to the project.

Niemann representatives plan to talk with city and Forsyth County officials in a few weeks, said Jason Thiel, the president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership.

The partnership is in charge of promoting the Civic Plaza plan.

How the project would be paid for and when construction would begin are still unclear.

The developer plans to ask the city and county for public money, but officials said they didn’t know how much might be requested.

“At this point, we’re waiting for the numbers,” Derwick Paige, the deputy city manager, said.

It is also unclear whether Forsyth County would be as interested in supporting the Civic Plaza plan as the city has been.

The county owns the old courthouse, which is not being used now.

And it would have to decide whether to move the sheriff’s offices and contribute that building to the project.

“I think it’s always good to have plans, but it certainly has huge implications for the county,” Gloria Whisenhunt, the chairwoman of the Forsyth commissioners, said.

“Personally, I’ll just wait until I see a further update on it. The first few plans I’ve seen, I don’t think it’s something the county can afford to do. I am sure incentives would be asked for. I’m certain of that,” she said.

Joines said last year that the earlier version of the project was estimated to cost about $65 million, and that the city and county would be asked to cover 9 percent of the cost.

Yesterday, he said he didn’t know what the latest cost estimate is, but he said the same thing about the city’s possible contribution.

“What we’ll be looking at is how much new taxes will be generated. That will drive how much we can afford to contribute,” Joines said.

The project would be split into two phases, with the renovation of the old courthouse and the demolition of the sheriff’s building held off until the second phase.

That would allow the project to move ahead without being entirely dependent on a decision from the county on those buildings, officials said.

Sheriff Bill Schatzman said he wouldn’t mind moving, but most of the department would remain downtown, near the courts and the jail, regardless of what the county decides to with his building.

“I’ve been told through hearsay that this building was not going to be here at some point in the future. We have anticipated moving at some point in this time frame,” he said.

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/08/09/pepperEnlarge.gif

[Raleigh-NC]

I love this plan :okay: I am glad to hear that Civic Plaza will include the preservation and expansion of Pepper Bldg and one more high-rise in the future. Two 20-story towers would add density to the skyline, provide more residential units and hopefully increase the momentum. Excellent update!!!

[Matthew]

The original plan called for two towers. This is a return to the original plan for two towers and Niemann originally wanted to save the Pepper Building. The difference is a restoration of the Courthouse and a new site for the second tower. The phase I tower is actually 23 storeys on the north elevation and 24 storeys on the south elevation.

[krazeeboi]

This is a pretty sweet development, and it looks like it will do just about everything right--density, ground level retail, historic preservation, and open space. Good for Winston!

[TwinCity]

construction updates

crane is up for One Park Vista!
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836 Oak is supposed to be ready this fall. looks like theyre almost there. the plan calls for 30 condos in a former tobacco warehouse north of the arts district.
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New Life Center:. a 4-story 27,000 sf building for the W-S Rescue Mission on Trade street.
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Salem Place Townhomes: a 45 unit community by O-Henry builders of Greensboro in West Salem, just south of downtown.
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notice dancy's project in the background. this is turning out to be a very urban block!

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more on the way!

Marshall Street Brownstones by Dancy Construction: 8 units at the corner of west st amd Marshall st on the same block with Salem Place.
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Goler Manor and Family Enrichment Center: a 6-story, residential building for seniors with civic facilty in the redeveloping Goler Depot.
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[TwinCity]

renovation underway for the grocery store on Liberty St.
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nissen building tenants
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[cityboi]

VERY Nice projects!!

[urbanaturalist]

Very nice indeed. They look classical. Can you imagine blocks after blocks of homes like this in Winston-Salem. I like how the advertisement pictures, says its a reflection of older W-S architecture.

I see Winston-Salem is trying to be a viable part of that "Atlanta-Raleigh/Richmond" corridor.

[Raleigh-NC]

Excellent photo updates :okay: I truly love how Winston-Salem makes progress without making noise. Many great residential developments and a steady transformation of the downtown area into an ideal place to live, work and play. Truly nice direction for W-S!!!

[RALBOI]

Excellent photo updates :okay: I truly love how Winston-Salem makes progress without making noise. Many great residential developments and a steady transformation of the downtown area into an ideal place to live, work and play. Truly nice direction for W-S!!!I agree, Winston-Salem does have outstanding urban form.

[TwinCity]

well unlike other NC cities, the president of DWSP says the plan is to first, turn downtown into an 18 hour city instead of 24 hours. I can respect that goal. i think it shows an ambitious plan, but not so ambitious that it sounds unattainable for this stage in revitalizing the core.

1st phase of West End Village:

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Saturday, August 11, 2007

Research park asks city to help pay for wet lab
Officials say it will improve competition

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Piedmont Triad Research Park wants the city of Winston-Salem to contribute $125,000 to help pay for new lab space at the park.

In the research industry, the labs in question are called wet labs, because they would have plumbing and an exhaust system that deals with chemicals. But the real value, park officials say, is that wet labs would provide incubator space that could help the park attract startup research companies.

Tom Ingram, the project manager at the research park, said yesterday that the labs would be an important economic-development tool.

“When people have ideas, they’re going to go places that will help them develop them,” Ingram said.

Other research parks offer incubator space and have attracted companies that had been interested in Winston-Salem. Derwick Paige, the deputy city manager, said that some companies that have expressed interest in doing research in Winston-Salem have chosen not to set up here.

“Some still come to Winston-Salem, but many of them go elsewhere,” he said in a written description of the park’s financial request.

The main role of a wet lab is to bring in a company that doesn’t have enough money to build its own lab and allow it to use the space for a certain period of time.

City officials said that the research park wants to build three labs with a combined 5,000 square feet of space. The cost to build them is estimated to be $626,000. The park has raised $378,000 from private sources. Ingram said that the research park is asking for money from the city and other places, including Forsyth County.

The research park now has more than 800 employees, and 28 companies have set up there that are not affiliated with Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which owns the research park.

Mark Wright, a spokesman for Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said that there are about six Wake Forest programs in the park, including the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Mayor Allen Joines said he supports the request for money, noting that the goal is to have businesses stay here, create jobs and increase the tax base.

“For many years, as we have been working on … the research park, it was clear that some type of low-cost wet-lab space was going to be necessary if we were go to be competitive,” he said.

The proposal will be considered Monday by the Winston-Salem City Council’s finance committee, and then it will go to the full council.

■ Bertrand M. Gutierrez can be reached at 727-7283 or at bgutierrez@wsjournal.com.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352340690

[Smallville]

TwinCity,

Thanks for all the updates. Winston-Salem continues to progress in a very nice way.

[Raleigh-NC]

Outstanding update photos, TwinCity :okay: The West End project will certainly create momentum for even more great redevelopments and infills. One little remark on what you said. While all NC cities strive for the 24/7 goal, most of them actually talk about the 18/5 phase. I know we did the same here and we are still working on it. Back to the topic, I have no doubts that DT W-S will manage to get much closer to the 24/7 once the residential projects under way get completed. I don't know what is the magic number for downtown population, but I think once a downtown reaches 15,000, things begin to move faster towards a 24/7 place.

General question: what are the areas in DT W-S where new residential development can create the 24/7 environment faster?

[TwinCity]

no prob man. feel free to add Smallville!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Ziggy's to move downtown after building is sold
Plan is for it to close in November, then reopen next September

By Michael Hewlett

Baity Street has been home to Ziggy’s Tavern for the past 16 years, a place people could go to hear an eclectic mix of music, from heavy metal to hip-hop.

Now Ziggy’s Tavern is packing up and moving downtown. Jay Stephens, who bought Ziggy’s Tavern in 1991, said yesterday that he is closing the club at 433 Baity St. in November and plans to open up at a new location in the old Woolworth building on Liberty Street on Sept. 1, 2008.

Stephens said he is selling the Baity Street property to Quantum Real Estate Capital, a Winston-Salem real-estate development company. The company hasn’t decided what it will do with the property.

The deal isn’t final, said Tom Massey, the chief operating officer for Quantum. He said that the property is under contract. Neither he nor Stephens would disclose a selling price.

The property has a value of $173,406, according to Forsyth County tax records.

For more than 30 years, Ziggy’s Tavern has been a staple in the live-music scene in Winston-Salem. It started off as the White Horse Pub on Deacon Boulevard in the 1970s.

The name changed to Ziggy’s Tavern. The club soon became a favorite spot for college students and others to listen to music a bit outside the mainstream. In 1988, the club moved to Baity Street.

Stephens bought the club in 1991 and built a reputation for consistently booking national acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Phish, Hootie and the Blowfish and KRS-One.

His success has come despite some hard times. The club has faced fines over violating the city’s noise ordinances. An effort to build a second club, called Ziggy’s Uptown, fell through.

But this time, the closing couldn’t have come at a better time, Stephens said. He is planning to open another club, called Bazaar, in the upper level of the Downtown Deli at 209 W. Fourth St., this fall. He will co-own the club with Tim Welborn and J.D. Byers, both lawyers in Winston-Salem.

Quantum Real Estate Capital approached Stephens earlier this year about selling the Baity Street property. But he wasn’t ready to sell, he said. He wanted to nail down when Bazaar would open.

Once he figured that out, he negotiated with Quantum on a selling price, and he decided that November would be the perfect time to shut the doors at the Baity Street club. In November, the club will celebrate the closing during its annual Thanksgathering Festival, Stephens said.

This isn’t the first time that Stephens had been approached about selling the property. In 2005, he told the Winston-Salem Journal that he had been approached by Wake Forest University, which had been buying up property in and around Baity Street.

Jon M. Corts, the chief executive officer for Quantum, said that the company doesn’t know yet what it wants to do with the Baity Street property.

The company has an interest in improving properties in the area around University Parkway and Deacon Boulevard, he said.

“We believe this area has not realized its best commercial or retail potential for a number of years and continues to decline,” he said in an e-mail.

Quantum has bought several buildings over the past few months, including the former Wendy’s restaurant that will soon become a Moby’s Coffee, Corts said. The company has also renovated the former Russell building for commercial use, he said.

Wake Forest University is planning to lease space in the building for one of its University Advancement departments, he said.

Jason Thiel, the president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, said he was glad to hear that Ziggy’s is moving downtown.

“This is the kind of use that would be great for the Woolworth building,” he said. “It fits in with our goals with the downtown plan.”

But downtown’s gain will be Baity Street’s loss. The Baity Street building will be demolished, Stephens said.

“I will be taking every piece of Ziggy’s and taking it to Fourth Street, board by board,” he said.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

IT company Voyss Solutions opens office in downtown

JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT


Voyss Solutions, an information-technology company based in Hickory, said yesterday that it opened an office at 601 W. Fourth St. in Winston-Salem.

The company provides IT and telecommunication services for small-to-medium businesses, said Perry Swaim, Voyss’ chief executive. Eight employees work in the Winston-Salem office.
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American Basketball Association Announces Expansion to Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, North Carolina: The American Basketball Association (ABA) announced that it has added Winston-Salem, North Carolina to its roster of expansion teams for the 2008 season. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "We are very pleased to be back in North Carolina - a great basketball state - and we have an excellent, well-qualified group of individuals leading the way. This will be a very successful organization." Wesley E. Mason, III will serve as co-owner of the team. He is currently Chief Executive Officer at Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services in Winston-Salem. "Wes is a driven, passionate, visionary leader who not only inspires his colleagues for excellence, but the lives of young people," added Newman. "Wes will bring the same energy to the Winston -Salem ABA team." LaToya Camille Shine Mason is the other co-owner. Currently she owns and operates Edible Arrangements in North Little Rock, AR and successfully manages several real estate properties. "My vision is to bring a quality basketball team to Winston-Salem that will be entertaining and affordable to the community," said Mrs. Mason.

Louis Vincent has been appointed team General Manager. A graduate of Port Chester High School, Louis received an athletic scholarship to Towson State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He played pro ball in England for four years. "

The Triad Community will be given the opportunity to name their team. “This is the community’s team” states Wes Mason. The community will be able to vote at 12 local businesses who have already pledged support of the team or vote online at www.triadaba.com. Locations include Tee Time Sports & Spirits, Hooters (Hanes Mall), Fox and Hound Pub & Grille (Lower Mall), Sports Zone Bar, My Cousin Vinny’s, Wings to Go, Cahill & Swain Incorporated, Ham’s Restaurant (Stratford Road), Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar (Hanes Mall Blvd.), Cuttin Hair Barber Shop, Mountain Fried Chicken and Nitty Gritty Soul Café. Voting will last for 30 days from August 6th - September 6th.

The Triad ABA will have a travel team this year to play against colleges and other ABA teams for exhibition and charity. “We are looking for a roster of 12 men that are willing to play in an exciting environment and be willing to give back to the community”, stated General Manager Lou Vincent. Tryouts will be held Friday, September 7th from 6 p.m. -10 p.m. and Saturday, September 8th from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. Official ABA play will not begin until the 2008-2009 season.

Community support is instrumental for the basketball team to be successful for years to come. Currently there are negotiations with the Joel Coliseum to play at the Annex. “Winston-Salem is already in the running for the 2009 ABA All-Star game, states Wes Mason. “I have discussed this with the CEO of the ABA. This is basketball country and there isn’t a better choice than Winston-Salem, North Carolina to hold such an event.”

For more information, email Your browser may not support display of this image.wmason@triadaba.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Your browser may not support display of this image.or call 336 409 1936 or email lmason@triadaba.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 501-351-1177or email Your browser may not support display of this image.lvincent@triadaba.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Your browser may not support display of this image.or call 336 624 4188. Or visit www.triadaba.com or www.abalive.com.

http://www.triadaba.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=1
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Monday, August 13, 2007

Baptist changes plans to expand
New proposal spurred by construction issues, more

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/08/13/13baptistmapEnlarge.gif

Construction problems, neighborhood objections and a change in some of its management have caused N.C. Baptist Hospital to change the site for a $218 million expansion that was presented earlier this year.

The hospital had planned to build a new emergency-department entrance off Hawthorne Road, realign a section of Queen Street and demolish three buildings for a new emergency tower.

At its recent quarterly board meeting, the board approved a new location for the emergency department on the site of parking decks A and B on Medical Center Boulevard, said Karen Huey, the interim vice president of facilities, planning and construction for Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. The hospital hopes to have a final design approved by Feb. 1, 2008.

“I think we feel very positive about it, and there are a lot of benefits,” Huey said.

Although the hospital has chosen to focus on that location, the originally proposed site, as well as a site on parking deck B, are both still being considered, she said.

The two parking-deck locations would allow the hospital to keep the ambulance entrance and the helipad stop where they are now, Huey said. The parking decks would then be moved to property that the hospital owns on the western side of its campus, close to the current Ardmore station post office on Miller Street. The hospital owns the building and the land.

“Pushing the decks out now gives us a better opportunity for longer-range planning within the confines of campus,” she said. “If we were to do what we’re looking at, it would be the first piece of an entire 20-year plan of revamping within the circle.”

The hospital held meetings with the Ardmore Neighborhood Association earlier in the year, in which Ardmore residents questioned the original plan.

Residents were concerned about the increased noise and traffic that would result from moving the emergency department to the neighborhood side of the Baptist campus.

Baptist officials had said that they looked at six possible sites for the new emergency-intensive-care department and that the site they chose allowed them to tear down several obsolete buildings that were scheduled for demolition. Those buildings included Meads Hall, the Progressive Care Building and the General Clinical Research Center.

Huey said that problems emerged with the Hawthorne Road location in the spring. A tunnel that starts above ground and runs underneath Meads Hall and then connects to the Sticht Center and MRI Building is an important connector for transporting patients, as well as food, laundry and other support services. The hospital cannot tear down Meads Hall and still maintain the section of the tunnel.

In demolishing the three buildings, hospital officials also realized that they would lose 175,000 square feet, Huey said. It would be difficult for the hospital to squeeze the services offered in those buildings into another space.

In studying the options, the hospital realized that one of the parking decks is reaching the point of needing major upgrades, Huey said.

Julie Magness, a member of the Ardmore Neighborhood Association, said that the new plan makes a lot of sense, although she will reserve judgment until she hears about traffic studies.

“Can the infrastructure handle their plans?” she said. “Certainly, it can handle it a whole lot better down toward the highway.”

Magness said she would be concerned if the scale of development starts requiring wider roads around a neighborhood with very small front yards.

In talking with her neighbors, Magness said that there is also concern about losing the Ardmore station post office.

Postmaster David Baracio said that the facilities-service operation of the U.S. Postal Service in Greensboro would research the possibility of leasing, renting or buying a new postal site.

Mary Harper, who lives in Ardmore and has attended meetings between the neighborhood and the hospital, said that it’s time for the hospital to get used to working with the neighborhood.

Some large hospitals in other cities are surrounded by blighted areas and the hospitals can pretty much do what they want, she said. Being in the middle of an attractive neighborhood is good for the hospital, but it carries with it a responsibility to be sensitive to how its development affects Ardmore.

“Everyone wants the hospital to be successful,” she said. “The neighborhood wants the hospital to be successful.”

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352354735&path=!news!yesterday&s=1037645509099

[TwinCity]

cosmoboy, can you post your ISP parade pix on here?

[TwinCity]

several new downtown restaurants...

from http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FPage%2FWSJ_RelishIndex&c=Page&cid=1040651999190

Caffe Prada coming to Fourth and Broad this fall

Coming this fall is a new café to the downtown and West End neighborhood. Caffe Prada Espresso Bar and Gelateria is coming to the newly completed Fourth and Broad Condominiums located at 390 Broad Street. The proprietors are Alex Prada and Ken Hart. They just relocated to the Winston-Salem area this winter after spending close to 20 years in New York City.

Caffe Prada will occupy 1,400 square feet of space and feature fresh coffee, espresso, pastries, gelato (Italian Ice Cream) and prepared salads. Plans also include having a small international food market that will stock a number of gourmet products such as pasta, cheeses, bread, oils and everyday grocery items. Additionally, they will have Fabian Botta's famous take-and-bake "Botta Bing" pizza. Caffe Prada should do well since the Fourth and Broad Street corner is one of the busiest in downtown and within walking distance of a number of businesses and residents in and around the West End area.

However, Prada and Hart hope to create a "Third Place" where friends, co-workers and the downtown neighborhood cast of characters, can come and talk about the world going on around them. Something we are starting to see more of around the downtown area. An opening is planned for this fall. Stay tuned for details. For more information visit http://www.caffeprada.com.
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Washington Park area Neighborhood Grocery in the works.

Coming soon to the Washington Park area is a neighborhood grocery. John and Jayne Johnston, proprietors of Swain's Grocery (a local bar and hangout), hope to open a small grocery next to the bar. They are looking to convert a former 5,000-square-foot mattress store located 228 West Acadia Street into a neat neighborhood store that will stock essentials for the home, and have a deli, fresh coffee and a specialty beer and wine selection. The grocery should be well stocked with items folk might like since John Johnston is in the convenience store food brokerage business as part of his "day job". Since their other business has become a neighborhood hangout, they plan to construct a deck in the front and side of the building for patrons to park their tushes for a spell and socialize.

Before they proceed, the Johnstons would love to hear from you folks who live, work or attend school in the Washington Park area about what items the grocery should stock. For your input and suggestions e-mail them to swaimsgrocery@yahoo.com. Once all the building plans come together, renovation will start soon with an opening planned for early winter. Stay tuned for details.
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Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouses now open downtown

Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouse s now open in the Nissen Building at Fourth and Cherry Streets. The dual concept is the brainchild of The Bagel Boys/The Coffee Boys, LLC and includes the bagel franchise in one part of the space and Dilworth Coffee House, which is based out of Charlotte, in the other.

Their brand of gourmet, roasted whole coffee beans is growing in popularity in the region. Both establishments occupy 2,300 square feet and will seat 60 patrons. Brueggers Bagels and Dilworth Coffeehouse also have access to WiFi using the Fourth Street free wireless connection. Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30a.m. to 7p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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The Cotton Mill restaurant opening in September @ the Historic Brookstown Mill

Opening soon in the Brookstown Mill, south of downtown located at 200 Brookstown Avenue - The Cotton Mill restaurant. The proprietors are familiar to those who dine in the Downtown Arts District. They are Vivian Joyner and Stephanie Tyson, owners of the hugely popular Sweet Potatoes restaurant at 529 Trade Street. Their second restaurant venture is located in the historic Brookstown Mill, which dates back to 1837 when it housed Salem Cotton Mill and Arista Cotton Mill. The building is listed in National Register of Historic Places and now houses the Brookstown Inn, Visit Winston-Salem and a number of commercial offices.

The Cotton Mill restaurant will occupy 3,500 square feet of space and feature Southern cuisine in a white table cloth ambiance. It will seat 75 patrons. The difference between their Sweet Potatoes location, (which will remain open before the rumors start flying) and the new restaurant will be a larger selection of entrees due to a newly built state of the art kitchen. This will give Stephanie Tyson and her culinary staff a bit more elbow room to try some creative dishes. Prices will range from $10-$25 for entrées. The Cotton Mill restaurant will have full ABC permits that will suit the new larger bar for patrons looking to meet up with friends after work or prior to dinner. They will be open seven days a week. Hours will be Sunday-Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday 5:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. Sunday Brunch 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Additionally, they will be providing room service to the Brooktown Inn hotel guest. An anticipated opening is the week of September 16th. Stay tuned for further details.
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College Park groundbreaking

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) -- Officials have broken ground on College Park, a new 159 single family home and townhome housing development that is meant to revitalize an entire Winston-Salem neighborhood. The development is called 'College Park at the Gateway' and its the final phase of a big project by the Winston-Salem housing authority. Officials have officially broken ground on the site near Happy Hills in Winston-Salem.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=634CB986EA7E81F1680BD2425A0B4779?contentId=4154904&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

[TwinCity]

Downtown on Labor Day.

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[Raleigh-NC]

Excellent photos, TwinCity!!! They were much appreciated ;)

[TwinCity]

WFU athletics news....

Wake Forest Football Stadium to be called BB&T Field

Sept. 5, 2007


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest University and BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) today announced a 10-year agreement to rename the Wake Forest football stadium as "BB&T Field at Wake Forest University" beginning with the 2008 season.

A brief renaming ceremony for the 31,500-seat stadium between Reynolds and Deacon boulevards - currently known as Groves Stadium - will be held between the first and second quarters of the Deacons' 2007 home-opening game against Nebraska on Saturday. BB&T Chairman and CEO John A. Allison and WFU President Nathan O. Hatch will be present for the event.

"Wake Forest University and BB&T are both major hometown institutions," said Ron Wellman, director of athletics at Wake Forest. "We both share the same vision of Winston-Salem in terms of values, ideals and a future vision for the community."

Acquiring the naming rights for the Wake Forest football stadium is another significant step for the company in its growing and more-focused sports marketing program. BB&T is also involved in NASCAR, college and high school sports, minor league baseball events and the NFL. BB&T was recently granted naming rights to an 11-field soccer complex just outside Winston-Salem, one of the premier soccer facilities in North Carolina - officially named last month as "BB&T Soccer Park."

"We're proud of our close relationship with Wake Forest University and the Demon Deacons athletics program," said BB&T Chief Marketing Officer Steve Wiggs. "This agreement takes BB&T's long association with the university to a higher level, just as the football team is realizing its best performance ever on the field.

"I know Winston-Salem and Wake Forest alumni everywhere are proud of last season's ACC champions, and I hope our clients and employees will feel an added sense of pride and home field advantage every time they see BB&T Field at Wake Forest University."

Attendance at Wake Forest football games has soared over the last six years, consistent with the arrival of head coach Jim Grobe. In 2006, the Deacons played at home in front of three of the top 10 crowds in stadium history. The Deacons averaged 32,515 fans per home game last year to break the school record for season average. WFU has broken its season attendance average in three of the last four years.

Demon Deacon head football coach Jim Grobe said, "We are very appreciative of the support for our football program from BB&T. Their support is a key to our success and keeps Wake Forest football on the fast track."

BB&T Corporation and its subsidiaries offer full-service commercial and retail banking and additional financial services such as insurance, investments, retail brokerage, mortgage, corporate finance, consumer finance, payment services, international banking, leasing and trust.

BB&T operates more than 1,500 financial centers in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Indiana and Washington, D.C.

With $127.6 billion in assets, BB&T Corporation is the nation's 11th largest financial holding company. More information about the company is available at www.BBT.com.
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WFU eyes remake of athletics corridor

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area - September 7, 2007by Matt HarringtonThe Business Journal Serving the Greater Triad Area

Julie Knight


As Wake Forest University begins a campuswide master-planning process, sources close to the university say it could lead to a vast change for the Deacon Boulevard and Baity Street corridor near the school's athletics facilities.

School officials, including Athletics Director Ron Wellman, declined to comment on potential outcomes of the planning process, which follows on the heels of a campuswide strategic-planning process.

caption: the Wendy’s on Deacon Boulevard in Winston-Salem is one of the properties in Wake Forest University’s athletics corridor set to be renovated,
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a descriptive observation of downtown...

City Waking Up: Residents and workers greet the day downtown

By Linda Brinson
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR

Linda Brinson

I watched Winston-Salem come to life.

On two mornings recently, I arrived at the YWCA - the old one, on Glade Street - for my morning workout, only to find that the women’s locker room that I usually use was closed. There was a problem with the air conditioner.

So I abandoned my plans to use the fitness room’s equipment and headed downtown to the Journal’s parking lot on Spruce Street between Fourth and Fifth instead.

Both mornings, the heat had not yet soared to the intolerable level, so I decided to take a walk downtown. My intention was simply to get some exercise, but I serendipitously discovered the joys of watching the city wake up.

Ample trees, shrubs, hanging baskets and other flowers softened the urban landscape. Interesting exteriors invited patrons into many buildings that had stood empty a few years before. I walked past three - was it four? - coffee shops, wafting heady aromas that seemed to be enticing plenty of customers.

Outside shops and restaurants, there was a pleasant bustle, a sense of anticipation, as drivers made deliveries, and workers unlocked doors, set up tables for sidewalk dining and readied things for the day. At some buildings, construction crews were setting up their equipment for another day’s work on the latest renovation.

Neatly dressed people passed by purposefully on the sidewalks, apparently on their way to work at the many downtown office buildings.

Others, wearing athletic shoes and casual clothes, seemed to be sharing my idea about taking a brisk constitutional before the day got too hot. Some walked in pairs, chatting as they went. A few people were walking well-mannered dogs, who inspected lampposts and fire hydrants with considerable interest. A couple of young males in running attire loped easily past. Some of these people, I figured, must be part of the new wave of urban pioneers living in downtown apartments and condos.

I stopped by the post office on Town Run Lane to drop a couple of letters into the box, then crossed the street and headed down the strollway that runs to Old Salem. That stretch of my walk was something of a Memory Lane, reminding me of the years when my younger son attended the Downtown Middle School and I often walked down the strollway to meet him. On the mornings of my recent walks, school was not yet in session, and I turned around near the parking lot. All along the strollway, with its welcome shade, people were striding toward the city’s center.

On Main Street, a gaggle of folks stretched down the sidewalk, waiting to clear security and enter the Forsyth County Hall of Justice. Nattily dressed men and women carrying briefcases - lawyers, most likely - hurried toward the building. A more motley assortment of people straggled into the line or clustered in small knots on the sidewalk, deep in earnest conversations. The thought that each person - whether the aggrieved, the charged, a witness or a loved one - represented a very human story made me nostalgic for my reporter’s days, when I could sit in a courtroom and watch the dramas unfold. Real-life justice can be more gripping - and more instructive - than the made-for-TV version.

Trade Street and the Downtown Arts District were bustling in their own way, with people coming and going, unlocking doors and hauling in supplies.

And there, at Cherry and Sixth, was a feast for the eyes. Men and women were setting up their displays of produce at the Downtown Farmers Market - yellow squash, cool cucumbers, red and purple tomatoes, green beans, ears of corn. … There were big, bright bouquets of cut flowers and an array of plants for sale, too.

As I walked slowly past, I could hear snatches of conversation about families, medical conditions, crops and - most of all - the terrible, relentless, dry, hot weather. Those pleasant country accents were another reminder of the past, of the days when the flue-cured tobacco market would open at one of the warehouses in downtown Winston-Salem at about this time of year. Tobacco auctions offered a great opportunity to see and hear farmers and their families catching up on all the gossip.

The streets and sidewalks outside the hotels and convention center were swarming with activity.

Downtown often gets lively in the evenings, too, especially when there’s music downtown, a gallery hop in the Arts District or some other event that brings people into the city for entertainment. Those occasions are great.

But there was something heartening about seeing the early-morning stirring, about seeing people going about their lives and their business, doing those routine exercises and tasks that begin a new day in a thriving city.

As I watched Winston-Salem waking up, coming to life, it struck me that the start of the day could be an apt metaphor for the start of a new era in this old downtown.

• Linda Brinson is the Journal’s editorial-page editor. She can be reached at lbrinson@wsjournal.com.
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one park vista update
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another SUBWAY is coming to 616 West Fourth Street. A lease for 1500 s.f. has been signed which will allow for 30-40 seats in the restaurant, which will be a second location for franchise owners who currently operate a Subway store at 8 West Third Street. Look for an early 2008 opening with operating hours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for the updates. One Park Vista (http://www.oneparkvistawinstonsalem.com) is coming along very well, too. According to their website, 19 units are left, which should not be hard to sell by the completion of this project.

[TwinCity]

they rarely update their website. it said 19 were left when ground broke so im assuming that some of those have already been purchased by now...and thanks for the compliment.

[Raleigh-NC]

Quite honestly, I am amazed at the pre-sales, regardless - I am speaking generally, about every similar project. How can people buy something as valuable as a home, before they even see it, is beyond me. To pre-sell enough units to break ground is not as easy as it sounds. Eventually, Winston-Salem's efforts to increase its downtown population will pay off. Projects like One Park Vista will set the tone and their success will "invite" more such visions. I am truthfully amazed with the residential development in DT Winston-Salem. A few years from now, residential high-rises in your city will become more viable and attractive, thanks to the success of projects like One Park Vista.

[triadcat]

Great pics. Looks like W-S is catching some great projects and developments :)

[krazeeboi]

The pics are awesome. One day, I'm coming up to Winston-Salem for a photoshoot. :)

[Quadrilateral]

Quite honestly, I am amazed at the pre-sales, regardless - I am speaking generally, about every similar project. How can people buy something as valuable as a home, before they even see it, is beyond me.

I think that there's a contractual agreement that allows the buyers to opt out if they're not satisfied, probably with a cancellation fee. Or maybe there are lemon laws that protect them. I honestly have no clue in hell how the process works. I'm an undergrad in Biochem. I'm just here for the pretty pictures.

:lol:

[Raleigh-NC]

^^

:lol:

Seriously, though, would you buy a condo before you even see it? I am sure there are laws that protect the buyers, in case something is not delivered as promised, but still... It must be tough for a developer to break ground with less than 50% pre-sales/reservations. If the project is elegant, however, I find it hard to believe that buyers will not respond. At least, One Park Vista looks like a nice building and from what the developer said, they spent a lot of time on the floorplans.

[g-man430]

^^Stop yelling at me. :( :D

[Quadrilateral]

^^ :lol: :D Stop using these all the time! :lol: :D ^^

[Raleigh-NC]

^^ Y'all quit with these ^^... It's getting annoying :rofl:

[g-man430]

^^Sorry. It's just faster than doing the quote thing. :D

[TwinCity]

Friday, September 14, 2007

Train between Thruway and Baptist considered
About 15 people turn out to talk with officials, planners about the idea


By Jim Sparks
JOURNAL REPORTER

Most of the people who attended a meeting last night about a possible commuter-rail station near Thruway Shopping Center generally liked the idea.

But most wanted to hear a lot more details before they will be convinced that putting passenger trains on the tracks along Stratford Road will work.

Cathy Eades lives in Winston-Salem and she has heard grandiose transportation plans for the Stratford Road area before. She questions the feasibility of driving pedestrian-friendly redevelopment with commuter rail.

“How are we going to do anything like this if we as a city can’t get it together enough to put a sidewalk down one side of Miller Street?” Eades asked.

She was one of about 15 people last night to hear regional transportation officials and city-county planners talk about the changes they envision happening in the area between Thruway and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center if a rail station is built there.

Planners are looking at a site for the station along Stratford Road, across the street from the eastern end of Thruway Plaza.

Kirk Ericson, a city-county planner, helped set up last night’s meeting at the Piedmont Plaza building off First Street..

It’s part of a larger effort by the planning staff to examine possible land-use impacts in the areas surrounding the four proposed train-station sites in Winston-Salem, should proposals for commuter rail be approved by regional transportation officials.

A similar meeting was held this past spring with property owners in the Hanes Mall area, where another station is planned.

“This is just taking the initiative,” Ericson said. “We realize that rail is probably on the way at some point. What we’re trying to address is how we help citizens who live and own property in the area prepare for light rail by redeveloping property in a positive way.”

Consultants working for the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation are studying whether to build a 33-mile passenger rail system in an existing corridor between Winston-Salem and Greensboro as a way to reduce traffic congestion.

Other options being considered include building a rapid-transit system using buses, improving the existing highway system, and leaving things as they are. The study could be finished as early as next spring said Brent McKinney, PART’s executive director.

If a commuter-rail system is the option chosen by the authority’s board, it will take about eight years to put in place and cost at least $400 million to build, he said. Plans call for half of the money to come from federal grants, with the state and region each paying 25 percent.

Ericson said that the area between Thruway and Baptist seems like an ideal place for a rail station. The general area has already been designated as a “metro activity center” in the city’s comprehensive development plan.

Metro activity centers are large, intensely developed areas for a mix of uses, where walking is encouraged.

Frank Morris owns property in the area near the proposed station site. He likes the thought of seeing commuter rail on the line along Stratford, which is still reserved for freight service but no longer used.

“What an asset it would be for the city to see that railroad right of way used for something better,” Morris said. “I think it would make the area thrive.”

Julie Magness, a member of the Ardmore Neighborhood Association, said she wasn’t against the idea of seeing commuter trains running along the Stratford Road corridor.

As does Eades, she wants to know a lot more about the logistics and how the service will affect traffic and land-use in the surrounding neighborhood.

“I have no problem with the concept, but I do have a big problem if it isn’t planned well and we end up getting socked in the face with unintended consequences,” Magness said.


http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352748739

[sprtsluvr8]

Is this proposal for light rail or commuter rail? Both are mentioned in the article, so it's confusing as to which one is being discussed.

[TwinCity]

i dont know. sounds like its light rail???

[Raleigh-NC]

There was a light rail plan presented some time ago, if I recall correctly.

[TwinCity]

PTRP photos from 9-3-07

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headed south

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i think this is the site for the downtown light rail station? it looks like they are still rehabbing the norfolk southern line.
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[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks, TwinCity :okay:

[TwinCity]

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Park will get ponds
Grant will help pay for wetland

By Jim Sparks
JOURNAL REPORTER

Storm-water managers in Winston-Salem plan to use a $3 million state grant to transform a kudzu-filled ravine from a wasteland into a wetland near the interchange of U.S. 52 and Business 40.

The wetland should be a little oasis on the eastern edge of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, once it’s surrounded by red maples, sweet gums and other trees and plants.

“It’s going to be a huge improvement compared to what we have there today,” said Greg Turner, the city’s assistant manager in charge of public works.

The grant was awarded this summer by the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, said Keith Huff, the director of the city’s storm-water program.

It will help pay for a $4.5 million project to build a set of storm drains and filtering ponds to clean and control storm water running through, and from, the research park. The city will pay about $1 million of the project’s cost, and the research park will contribute about $500,000.

Plans call for a 4-acre, tree-lined pond and wetland in a bowl-shape area just northeast of U.S. 52 and Business 40 to control water flowing through a culvert underneath the highway into Bath Branch Creek.

A second smaller pond will be built south of the highway and the city’s maintenance yard off Stadium Drive.

That pond will be behind the Winston-Salem City Employees’ Credit Union on Salem Avenue and help filter water flowing into nearby Salem Creek, which the state considers to be a polluted stream.

The ponds are expected to serve as an example of how to build a regional storm-water system in downtown areas with large amounts of parking lots, roof tops and other impervious surfaces, Huff said.

Screens and settling bays will be placed at the top of each pond to remove floating trash and allow the water to settle so that suspended sediment and pollutants can drop out as the water moves through.

The ponds will also help control flooding from storms, Huff said.

The pond planned for north of Business 40 should slow runoff in Bath Branch enough to prevent future erosion and allow a joint effort by the city and research park to restore the banks of the stream, which features a historic stretch of small waterfalls.

That project, which could start within the next three years, won’t alter the stream’s channel except to remove concrete and other rubble dumped into the creek in the past, Huff said. Plans by the city and research park call for a walkway to eventually be built alongside the branch, as well.
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http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173352805288

[TwinCity]

small ballpark update...

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Evolving Landscape: There's a whole lot of digging going on in preparation for ballpark

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

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To build a ballpark, you first have to move a lot of dirt. That's what's happening on what used to be Watkins Avenue. Construction could start in mid- or late November.
(Journal Photo by David Rolfe)

A small army of backhoes, bulldozers and dump trucks is making tough work look easy, leveling steep, kudzu-lined slopes to clear the site of Winston-Salem’s planned downtown baseball stadium.

Wanda Merschel, the member of the Winston-Salem City Council who represents the area where the stadium is being built, said she saw the machines this week working along the northeast edge of Business 40 and Peters Creek Parkway.

“They still had those little Tonka toys out there (Tuesday) night when I went by,” Merschel said yesterday.

She was so moved by all the dirt that has been moved that she called the project manager, Joe Bellissimo, to find out the status of the planned $22.6 million ballpark. Demolition of houses and a church in the neighborhood has come and gone, and the heavy machines are grading now.

Bellissimo could not be reached for comment, but Merschel said that the bulldozers will probably continue to push dirt until late October.

Construction could start in mid- or late November.

At that pace, the 5,500-seat ballpark will probably be ready for the Winston-Salem Warthogs by the time the 2009 season starts - weather permitting.

“It really has altered that whole area,” Merschel said.

The demolition on Watkins Street and Granville Drive began last month after the city council rezoned the land for the ballpark and an adjoining mixed-use area of stores, residences and offices.

The ballpark project, which will be financed in part by a $25.4 million commitment by the city and $12.5 million from Forsyth County, is the largest incentive deal that the city has taken on.

The project overcame some resistance by residents who said that public money should not be used for a stadium. Under the agreement, Billy Prim, a co-owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs, will own the stadium *- and reap the profits - for at least 25 years.

City officials said that the deal is justified because the revenue generated by the project will pay for the city’s share. Revenues from game-ticket surcharges, property taxes and the sale of Ernie Shore Field will cover the city’s cost, officials say. And the city will own the stadium after 25 years.

Here’s the breakdown of the city’s $25 million contribution:

The city has agreed to pay Prim up to $8 million in grants over 25 years based on new property taxes generated by the project’s second phase - the stores, offices and residences. The city has agreed to pay $12 million for site preparation, including the demolition and grading work that has been done. Because the money has to be borrowed, the real cost over 20 years of financing will come out to $17.4 million.

No public money for the project has changed hands, but that will happen soon.

Derwick Paige, a deputy city manager, said that Prim and lawyers for the city are drawing up the final agreement. After that, the city will start paying $1 million a month for a year.

■ Bertrand M. Gutierrez can

[Raleigh-NC]

Can't wait to see the ballpark finished :)

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

InterAct to expand locally
It will move training and staging offices, executive office to Liberty Building


By M. Paul Jackson
JOURNAL REPORTER

InterAct Public Safety Systems said yesterday that it will expand its operations in Winston-Salem, including its training and executive offices.

The company likes the city’s business climate, said Ted Collins, InterAct’s chief operating officer.

Collins said that InterAct will move its training and staging offices from Atlanta to the Liberty Building on West Third Street by the end of the month.

InterAct is based in Winston-Salem. The company develops public-safety security systems to help law enforcement and local government agencies.

InterAct officials said they could not say how much space the company will occupy in the Liberty Building.

“I have always felt that it would better to have offices in smaller cities than bigger cities,” Collins said. “There’s a stronger work ethic. The investment you make in the people tends to be for a longer time.”

InterAct has about 180 employees and has offices in Atlanta, Winston-Salem and Asheville. It will also move its executive office from the Piedmont Triad Research Park into the Liberty Building, Collins said.

“You want to have your executive team as close to you as you can,” he said.

InterAct is part of SilkRoad Equity LLC, a Winston-Salem investment company headed by Andrew “Flip” Filipowski. SilkRoad became a major stakeholder of the company in 2005 and moved its executive offices from Asheville to Winston-Salem.

Filipowski is InterAct’s chief executive, and he is also a part owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs.

Interact is growing. The company is developing computer products using advanced video technology to help law-enforcement agencies, for example. It also opened offices in Philadelphia and Singapore.

The company’s expansion dovetails with the region’s shift toward a stronger technological economy, said Gayle Anderson, the chief executive of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce.

“I think it bodes really well,” Anderson said. “That’s that whole cluster we’re trying to grow.”

■ M. Paul Jackson can be reached at 727-7473 or at

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173352961810&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&path=!business&s=1037645507703

[Raleigh-NC]

I liked this comment :okay:

“I have always felt that it would better to have offices in smaller cities than bigger cities,” Collins said. “There’s a stronger work ethic. The investment you make in the people tends to be for a longer time.”
In my opinion, this is a great reason for many companies to choose small and mid-sized cities.

[TwinCity]

interesting quote: never viewed smaller markets that way...

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Development planned near Super Wal-Mart
It would be mix of retail, residential, office


By Fran Daniel
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Tetra Cos. wants to build a $65 million mixed-use development next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on West Clemmonsville Road Extension off Peters Creek Parkway.

The real-estate development and management company, based in Virginia Beach, Va., was scheduled to submit a project proposal for Stafford Place yesterday to the city-county planning board.

Stafford Place, an urban-style center, would have retail, office space and apartments on 37 acres.Stewart Realty in Winston-Salem is the sales agent for the development.

Ryan Bednar, a hub director for The Tetra Cos.’s Cary office, which includes the Triad area, said that Stafford Place has “the new urban-type look” with a main-street feel in its retail area without a sea of parking.

“Parking lots are internal, and the buildings are up on the road,” he said.

He said that urban-style or lifestyle centers are becoming popular because of several driving factors.

“When you do a mixed-use project, you’re not placing one type of product out in the market all at one time,” he said. “The market is better able to absorb if you’re doing a multitude of different things in one place.”

He also said that a lot of people have been disappointed in the past with traditional suburban developments that typically have huge parking lots fronting roads.

The developer is planning 30,000 square feet of retail space. In addition, Stafford Place would have four or five pad sites, or out parcels, for merchants like restaurants and banks.

Bednar said that the retail area would complement the Lowe’s and Wal-Mart supercenters in the area.

“They generate a lot of traffic, and you would probably see retailers that are going to feed off that traffic,” he said.

The apartment component would consist of 250 apartment units, a clubhouse with pool and a business center.

There would be 26,000 square feet of office-flex space with storage for businesses that serve other businesses such as restaurant vendors, and 6,000 square feet of traditional office space.

If the project is approved, The Tetra Cos. said it hopes to begin construction on its project in late 2008, but a construction schedule depends on roadwork to West Clemmonsville Road Extension.

The extension, which the city expects to begin construction on in summer 2008, will take West Clemmonsville Road from Old Salisbury Road to Peters Creek Parkway (N.C. 150).

Bednar said that The Tetra Cos. wants to build on the West Clemmonsville Road Extension in part because of the heavy flow of traffic on Peters Creek.

He said that being near Lowe’s and Wal-Mart is a plus for retailers because of the high customer traffic generated by the stores.

“As far as the apartments go, you can go right up Peters Creek Parkway, get on (Interstate) 40 and get to your job,” he said. “It’s really a great location for residential, as well.”

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353044660

[TwinCity]

'Green' high-rise planned for downtown W-S

Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce Architects

10-storys

$10 million

50,000-square-ft

the highest level of environmentally friendly certification.

in the core of downtown.

likely to have retail space on the ground floor, four floors of office space and five stories of residential units.

"We'll have partners who will likely take up the four floors of offices," he said, meaning that little or no office space will need to be leased once the project is built.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/10/15/story3.html

[Raleigh-NC]

Excellent news :okay: I also hope there is enough demand to push it even higher!!! Can't wait to see for which location it will be proposed.

[Raleigh-NC]

Saw this report and thought you might be interested because this is major [infrastructure] project: Business 40 could close in WS (http://news14.com/content/top_stories/588318/business-40-could-close-in-ws/Default.aspx).

[TwinCity]

yea..im all for the 2 year plan. the former president of DWSP said closing bus. 40 would "kill downtown". i dont know if thats true. i think the 6 year plan would do more damage than the 2-year. plus there are SEVERAL alternate routes to avoid bus. 40 from 52 to peters creek and they all are sufficient for more traffic. downtown should be okay.

[TwinCity]

couple of rezoning requests for November 2007

site plan for Stafford Place:

http://www.cityofws.org/Assets/CityOfWS/Documents/Planning/Zoning/ZoningCases/nov2007/w2964.pdf


South District of PTRP:

http://www.cityofws.org/Assets/CityOfWS/Documents/Planning/Zoning/ZoningCases/nov2007/w2963.pdf

its either for WSSU, Forsyth Tech or CDI. all 3 schools have buildings proposed for this district.

[TwinCity]

another Arts District project

from smitty's notes

"City Plaza in the Arts District to be purchased locally

Word on the street is that City Plaza located at 516 Trade Street is about to change hands. Mike Coe, who owns a number of buildings in the Arts District has signed contract to purchase the building from Carpenter Investors, LLC of Greenville, S.C. Plans are to convert the three story 55,000 square foot building, which covers a city block with entrances on Trade, Fifth and Cherry Street, into a mix use of offices, artist loft space and residential apartments. The first floor will consist of office and artist loft space, the second floor will have 12-14 two bedroom and two and one half bath units, the third floor will have between 6-8 three bedroom and three and one bath units. Parking will be underneath with 24 spaces. Closing is anticipated in early November. Construction could start in early 2008 with units available in later in the year. The building will be renamed Coe Plaza."

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Friday, October 19, 2007

Warthogs plan festive ceremony for ballpark
'Special guest' promised at Oct. 30 groundbreaking


By Les Gura and Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTERS

The Winston-Salem Warthogs announced plans yesterday to formally break ground on the team’s $22.6 million downtown baseball stadium on Oct. 30.

The public is invited to the ceremony, which will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and include food, live music and fireworks.

Ryan Manuel, the general manager of the Warthogs, said he hopes to draw 1,000 people to the groundbreaking, but could draw more based on a special guest whose name he declined to reveal. Manuel did say that the guest was a national figure who would “speak on behalf of Warthogs baseball.”

As for the groundbreaking, Manuel said that it would not include shovels but would feature speeches by such people as Warthogs co-owner Billy Prim and Mayor Allen Joines.

Work on the site has been under way since late summer. All of the houses and a church that were in the area bordered by Peters Creek Parkway, Broad, Green and First streets have been cleared, and grading and drainage pipes are being put in.

The 5,500-seat ballpark is on track to open in April 2009.

Gayle Anderson, the president of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, said that the opening of the ballpark will mark an important moment in the revitalization of downtown.

“I think downtown has been on an upswing in the last five years or so, and we are really starting to see the fruits of many peoples’ labor,” Anderson said. “This is just such a big piece land-wise and in the number of people it is going to bring in.”

The stadium is part of a larger development planned by Prim and his partner that is expected to bring new housing, stores and offices. The project is being financed in part by a $25.4 million commitment from the city of Winston-Salem and $12.5 million from Forsyth County.

The city’s portion represents its largest incentive package and includes $12 million for the site preparation - an amount that will grow, because it is being financed, to $17.4 million over 20 years - and $8 million in grants based on new property taxes generated by the housing, stores and offices.

The county’s incentives are being used for the mixed-use development at the complex.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353171733
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Park to get two nanotech companies
Research on new lighting, better solar cells may start by year's end


The head of two new nanotechnology companies said yesterday that his businesses are leasing space in Albert Hall at the Piedmont Triad Research Park and could begin research there by the end of year.

The companies, FiberCell Inc. and PlexiLight Inc., are nanotechnology ventures that are developing solar cells and lighting systems respectively. The companies are based in Winston-Salem, but are overseen by NanoHoldings LLC, a technology-investment company in Connecticut.

read more:
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173353141145&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&path=!business&s=1037645507703

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info on two recently completed projects...

Trade Street
http://www.wxii12.com/video/14363816/index.html?taf=gws

Goler Manor
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173353058026&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle

[TheBermudaTriad]

a light rail would be amazing. hopefully we will see some kind of light rail/commuter rail in the triad soon. it would be the best day of my life.

[Matthew]

Jeffrey NC at http://winstonsalemskyscrapers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=166&start=345 posted a link to a web camera at the ballpark and said you can reserve your seat on Tuesday in the new ballpark. This camera is fun. You can view the skyline and construction site.

http://primo.truelook.com/index.jsp?flash=yes&name=/ballpark/construction

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7057/ballparksite102907oa0.jpg

[Raleigh-NC]

Juat checked the live camera and loved it :) I could see Winston-Salem's skyline all lit up!!! Great view from that angle, without a doubt.

[TwinCity]

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Rush Fitness Complex to open in Twin City Building

http://www.therush247.com/_images/Rush247_header_02.gif

The Rush Fitness Complex, based in Tennessee, plans to open a 22,000-square-foot center in the Twin City Building at the corner of Marshall and Fourth streets in downtown Winston-Salem.

The company will start renovating 8,000 square feet of temporary space in December in the Commerce Plaza building at the corner of Spruce and Fourth streets. The temporary location should open the first week in January. The company expects its permanent space in the Twin City building to be ready six to eight months from then.

The company is known for merging exercise with entertainment. Its centers operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Amenities include cardio and strength machines, a free-weights room and an area where children can play and do their homework. Group exercise classes include aerobics, yoga and Pilates.

The complex also offers personal-training programs.

Geoff Harman, an area vice president for the complex, said that Winston-Salem is one of the nicest cities in the United States and has a growing downtown population.

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Von Leake Condos are Underway
http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2007/11/02/housingEnlarge.gif
this former feed-and-seed store on North Main Street will contain 4 upscale condos and should be ready by next summer.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353342588&path=&s=

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Rams want new basketball arena

By John Dell
JOURNAL REPORTER

Chico Caldwell, the athletics director at Winston-Salem State, hopes to someday have a 9,000-seat basketball arena built close to campus.

The on-campus Gaines Center, which was built in the late 1970s, holds just 3,000. With student enrollment almost 6,000, the Gaines Center has become too small for home basketball games.

“There’s nothing in place to put an arena on campus now because there’s just no room, so we are looking for new land,” Caldwell said. “We are currently in conversations with the city looking at different areas around the field house like across the street (from Martin Luther King Drive).”

Caldwell said that an area near U.S. 52 at the Vargrave Street exit is also a possibility.

It has been obvious for the past few years that the Gaines Center, although it creates quite a hostile environment for opposing teams, is too small. This season the Rams are scheduled to play all of their games at Joel Coliseum or the Coliseum Annex.

“The Gaines Center will still be used for holiday games when the students are away,” Caldwell said, “but from now on the games will be downtown until we can figure out what to do about a facility of our own.”

Getting a new arena built near campus won’t be cheap, Caldwell said. He also said that there are no plans to remodel the Gaines Center to make it larger.

The Gaines Center was built and named for the late Clarence “Big House” Gaines, whose teams won 828 games and a Division II national championship in 47 seasons.

“We are going to look for an area that’s in the best interest of the university and what’s going to be the most cost-effective because we want to get a 9,000-seat arena in the future,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell said that the Gaines Center will remain an important part of the athletics program.

“We will keep the Gaines Center up, and it will be a great practice facility for us,” Caldwell said.

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353298652
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[Raleigh-NC]

If I were g-man, I would have "demanded" update photos :lol: Great to hear that the good news - both small and big things - keep coming to W-S. Also, let me congratulate your city for the good water conservation plan. From what I heard, W-S doesn't have water shortage, like most other cities do. This is a big plus for the future growth of the area :okay:

[TwinCity]

Winston is blessed with the Yadkin, which has the capacity to easily supply a city the size of Atlanta. so while the city should always practice water conservation, thats is a bit of a cushion when drought hits NC.

DWSP rekeased its November newsletter with news and updates:

ANOTHER RESTAURANT FOR FOURTH STREET will soon be added to Eat St. Chris Barnes, owner of the popular Sixth and Vine restaurant in the Arts District has leased the former Kababs space at the corner of Fourth and Marshall. The bar and grille will have a sleek, contemporary look while serving upscale bar food. Both levels of the building will be utilized. Upfitting is underway with a March opening anticipated.

THE WORLD EXCHANGE, a retail business supplied by Winston-Salem Sister Cities, has opened at 420 N. Cherry Street next to the Downtown Bike Patrol Office. Items from Moldova, Ghana, Nassau, and Shanghai, China will be sold to support art scholarships, entrepreneurial loans, educational exchanges, and school equipment in the Sister Cities.

GOLER HEIGHTS continues to add to its master plan with the latest initiative of 150 residential units for sale and rent on Patterson Avenue. A 4-story building is planned which will include 15,000 s.f. of ground floor retail. The mixed-use project should be complete by 2009.
http://www.dwsp.org/images/35.jpg

WORLD CAMP, INC has just moved its international headquarters into the Artists on Liberty (AOL) Building at 521 North Liberty St. World Camp is a non-profit that conducts volunteer programs in Malawi (Africa), Honduras, and India teaching HIV/AIDS and environmental education in rural primary schools. They will be involved in the First Friday Gallery Hop and holding regular business hours, so please stop by their new office! For more information, visit www.worldcampforkids.org or call 336-723-7900.

THE JON KUHN STUDIO BUILDING at 701 N. Liberty Street is currently undergoing major exterior renovations. The improvements include a complete makeover to the building exterior as well as a new grand entrance on the north side of the building, which is approximately 25,000 s.f. in size. Renovations also include a new parking lot adjacent to the building on the north side of the property. Jon Kuhn is regarded as one of the leading glass artists in the world.
http://www.dwsp.org/images/Kuhn2.jpg

THE TATTOO ARCHIVE, THE BOOK MISTRESS AND THE PAUL ROGERS TATTOO RESEARCH CENTER have relocated from Berkeley California after 24 years to 618 W. Fourth Street in the Bolich Building. The Tattoo Archive was formed in 1980 and is a working tattoo studio doing custom tattooing. The BookMistress sells tattoo related books, cards and postcards. The Paul Rogers Tattoo Research Center (PRTRC) is a nonprofit corporation, the basis of which is the extensive tattoo collection of famous North Carolina tattooist Paul Rogers who practiced his craft for decades before his death. Opening this month, the Tattoo Archive will do business Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

UNION STATION is slated to begin construction in the spring of 2009 with completion in 2011.
http://www.dwsp.org/images/Picture1.jpg

[Raleigh-NC]

Great updates, TwinCity!!!

[TwinCity]

Some construction updates as of 11-11-07

The Gateway

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/1978980692_4675eccc50_o.jpg

demolition has started on the property behind the YWCA
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/1978980698_baec41a2bb_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/1978980704_7cfc97a5f8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/1978980726_1d61b1eba7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1979051556_aa0ec675ab_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/1978980752_a7d9f40c3b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/1978980766_3ca43e4f28_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/1979051594_cdcd1e677e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/1979051590_cb56fe4937_o.jpg

New Life Center in the Arts District

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/1976240754_68e0172f8c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/1976240776_b4036da9f8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/1976240848_ec062866b1_o.jpg

Marshall Street Brownstones

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/1975787265_de33b14d6f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/1975787291_c6a5625a0b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/1975787307_fdbe0470c5_o.jpg

Salem Place Townhomes
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/1975492643_2ebb22f3ba_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/1975492749_102054ceb0_o.jpg

One Park Vista
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/1976433024_b5aba9d4fe_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/1976433062_f4cc7c4ce1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/1976433082_8fdb102c53_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/1976433110_a3e796e270_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/1976433130_400c167bda_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/1976433154_6890fb996d_o.jpg

[cityboi]

very nice! Good Job Twin City!

[Raleigh-NC]

:banana::banana:

One of the nicest W-S construction photo updates!!! Major progress and many great projects that you can brag about. I really like the Marshall Street Brownstones - can I have one? - and I am excited about the progress of One Park Vista. Keep the updates coming... as time allows, of course :)

[g-man430]

One for the money, two for the show, clap your hands if you've got a bank roll or update pics. :applause: :applause:

[TwinCity]

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Republic plans to move back downtown
It'll bring 325 employees, occupy space in Park Building


By Richard Craver
JOURNAL REPORTER


Republic Mortgage Insurance Co. is moving back to downtown Winston-Salem, bringing 325 employees in the biggest work-force shift there since the sale of Wachovia Corp. in September 2001.

Republic said yesterday that it will be the largest tenant in the Park Building - initially owned by Wachovia - when it moves in during March. The building at 101 N. Cherry St. has 204,000 square feet of Class A office space on seven floors and adjacent covered parking for 614 vehicles.

The company has signed a long-term lease for 111,400 square feet on the first through fourth floors and part of the seventh floor. Renovation to the space will cost at least $3 million, according to a commercial-building permit filed with the city of Winston-Salem.

The company, founded downtown in 1972, provides mortgage insurance to banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers. It has about 650 employees overall.

Republic moved to northern Winston-Salem in the mid-1980s and is currently in two buildings near Hanes Mill Road.

“We felt the timing was right to return downtown,” said Pam Curtis, the editorial manager for Republic. “It’s where our company started, and we like the access to Interstate 40.

“Downtown has, over time, become more centrally located for the bulk of our employees. We believe being downtown will help with recruiting employees, both young talent and seasoned professionals, given the growth in housing, the after-hours events and the new ballpark are within walking distance.”

With Republic’s move, the Park Building will be 100 percent leased in March, according to John Reece II, the managing partner for Park Building Partners LLC. The group of local investors bought the building for $16.7 million in October 2004 from American Financial Realty Trust.

Mullen, an advertising and marketing agency and its Frank About Women consulting division have about 70,000 square feet and about 240 employees. The law firm of Robinson & Lawing LLP has about 17,000 square feet and BB&T Capital Markets has about 8,000, Reece said.

Primo Water Corp. currently occupies 10,000 square feet in the building.

But Billy Prim, the chairman and chief executive of the company, said yesterday that Primo Water is moving its headquarters to Cambridge Plaza Drive at Country Club and Jonestown roads in early December. Primo Water is taking over space once leased by Blue Rhino Corp., a company that Prim ran as chief executive before it was sold for $343 million in February 2004 to Ferrellgas Partners LP.

“We’re almost doubling our space with the move,” Prim said.

“We needed to be where we could have more space and flexibility,” he said. “With Republic coming to the Park Building, it wasn’t going to be available here, and we couldn’t find other suitable space downtown.”

Republic’s decision represents another recent commercial real-estate boost to downtown-revitalization efforts, local economic officials said.

International Sports Properties Inc. moved its headquarters to Trade Street in August.

Prim and Andrew “Flip” Filipowski, the co-owners of the Winston-Salem Warthogs, are building a $22.6-million, 5,500-seat ballpark downtown that’s scheduled to open in April 2009. It is part of a larger development that Prim and Filipowski are planning, which could bring housing, stores and offices to First and Green streets.

Wachovia built the Park Building in 1998 as part of its headquarters campus. It was put on the market in June 2002 after the sale of the bank to First Union Corp. in September 2001. Wachovia cut 1,300 local jobs as part of the merger.

At that time, local real-estate brokers expressed concern that marketing the Park Building would be hard because Wachovia built it for its own purposes, and downtown hadn’t demonstrated a demand for the space.

American Financial Realty Trust bought the building in May 2004 as part of a $546 million purchase of 150 Wachovia properties.

Michael Clapp, a real-estate appraiser at Michael S. Clapp & Associates Inc., said that though Republic’s decision is a plus for downtown, it could be a negative for the north side. “This decision speaks well of the vision the local investors had for the Park Building when they bought it,” Clapp said.

Gayle Anderson, the president and chief executive of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, said that Republic’s arrival downtown “will be a welcome addition for restaurants and retail, particularly as we work to fill the retail corridor along Fourth and Trade streets.”

“The space RMIC is leaving off Hanes Mill will be excellent, affordable space for another tenant.”

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353648103&path=!business&s=103764550770
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Mobys Coffee opens shop in downtown

Mobys Coffee Co., based in Mount Airy, opened a store yesterday at 102 W. Third St. off Liberty Walk. It is the Christian coffee company’s third store in Winston-Salem.

In October, the company opened a store in the former Wendy’s restaurant at 619 Deacon Boulevard and at 193 Summit Square Boulevard off Hanes Mill Road.

In addition to coffee and pastries, the stores on Deacon Boulevard and Summit Square offer live Christian bands on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Developer weighs research park
Talks reach final stage with Baltimore company for a 60-acre, mixed-use project

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER


Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, a Baltimore company doing a $720 million waterfront project in that city, is considering developing about 60 acres of the Piedmont Triad Research Park in downtown Winston-Salem, park officials said yesterday.

If the development agreement goes through, officials said, it would boost the city’s push toward a biotechnology economy, and the research park would make a giant leap toward reusing old-economy tobacco buildings left vacant years ago with the reorganization of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Among the tobacco dinosaurs still standing, the landmark Bailey Power Plant and its signature smokestack would be turned into a modern-day building, said Doug Edgeton, who was appointed president of the research park this week by Wake Forest University Health Sciences.

“One of the things they pride themselves on is doing old power plants,” Edgeton said, referring to Struever Bros.

The idea would be for the company to develop the 60 acres in phases during a period of five to six years. There are about 1.28 million square feet of space that can be renovated - one-third for residential units, one-third for retail and one-third for biomedical labs. The first phase would include 16 acres and the renovation of some of the old buildings north of Vine Street, officials said.

A mixed-used development at the research park has long been in the plans, but talks are reaching the final stages with the potential developer. Struever Bros. has the finances to take on the job, which is estimated to run into the “hundreds of millions of dollars,” Edgeton said.

In Durham, for example, Struever Bros. has taken on a series of projects related to the American Tobacco Historic District. The $72 million renovation of four historic structures, including an old coal shed, will include 53 apartments and 392 condominiums.

The company’s work goes beyond the realm of old tobacco mills. It did the $100 million renovation of Boston’s Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the major leagues.

Company officials could not be reached for comment yesterday afternoon.

“The more density and diversity of people, uses and activities, the stronger the market demand,” the company says on its Web site.

Edgeton said that the research park and the company are still in negotiations, but a contract could be signed by January.

In line with that schedule, the Winston-Salem City Council may be getting a request for support about that time, Mayor Allen Joines said. He declined to discuss details, but he said that the company would probably ask for help with public-works aspects, such as sidewalks and roads.

The research park has been at the forefront of Winston-Salem’s push to transform its economy from one based on tobacco and textiles to one based on genes and science.

About 800 people work at the research park, and 28 companies have set up there that are not affiliated with Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which owns the research park. There are about six Wake Forest programs at the park, including the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

City officials estimate that the park will have 10,000 jobs by 2014.

buildings under consideration
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Saturday, November 10, 2007

Couple plan 2-story grill downtown
It will be third Triad restaurant for 6th and Vine owners

By Richard Craver
JOURNAL REPORTER

Downtown Winston-Salem will gain an upscale bar and grill this spring when the owners of 6th and Vine open a restaurant at the corner of West Fourth and Marshall streets.

Chris and Kathleen Barnes said yesterday that they have signed a sublease for the two-story building with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., which has a five-year lease on the building.

Reynolds said in June that it would not open a proposed Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge at the site because the expansion of smoking restrictions, nationally and regionally, prompted the company to change its marketing strategy for the premium brand.

Chris Barnes said that the grill, which has yet to be named, will feature “fine-dining bar food without having the fine-dining image.” Among items on the menu will be Buffalo wings, burgers, salads, pizza and fish tacos. “We want to put new twists on some old favorites and introduce new favorites,” he said.

The 150-seat restaurant will open at 11 a.m. daily, with lunch prices under $10 and dinner entrees ranging from $9.95 to $17.95, Barnes said. Dining will take place on both floors, and Barnes said he has plans for the basement. There will be a small flat-screen television at every booth.

It will be the couple’s third Triad restaurant. They have announced plans to open The Vine on Elm Street in Greensboro in early 2008.

Barnes said he plans to apply for loans with the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership and the Restaurant Row program provided by the city of Winston-Salem.

The program, which began with a $1.2 million commitment in 2000, is nearly depleted, said Ruben Gonzales, the city’s small-business and economic-development specialist.

The city said in March that about $850,000 from the low-interest program had been lent.

The program acts as seed money and a catalyst for private investment, officials said. Any momentum that the program has created would have to carry on without as much public money.

The city has not committed to reinvesting the money paid on the restaurant loans into only downtown projects.

“There is a small amount of money left to be loaned, and we understand that there are at least two projects considering applying for the money, including the owners of 6th and Vine for their new restaurant,” Gonzales said.

Although the Restaurant Row program registered sizable losses after two restaurants collapsed, six remain open: Foothills Brewing Co., 6th and Vine, Finnegan’s Wake, Cat’s Corner, Bistro 420 and Downtown Thai.
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Friday, November 2, 2007

Developer to add high-end facility to Brookstown Inn

The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area
by Matt Harrington The Business Journal Serving the Greater Triad Area

Developer Don Angell is adding a high-end, high-tech conference facility to Winston-Salem's Brookstown neighborhood on the south edge of downtown.

Angell, using the limited-liability company The Annex at Brookstown LLC, purchased the former Carswell Business Systems building at 126 Brookstown Ave. for $1 million, according to property records.

"The initial plans are to build a conference center that will be an addition to the Brookstown Inn," Angell said this week. "It will be very, very high-tech and have all of the amenities."

Angell said he plans for the conference center, which will be about 5,000 square feet, to be licensed by the International Association of Conference Centers. Currently, only Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston-Salem is a part of the IACC.

The IACC has a number of requirements that conference centers must meet to be recognized by the association, covering areas such as technology, food and beverage and the amount of space set aside purely for conferences.

With the former Carswell building having 16,000 square feet of total space, Angell said there's also room for a second phase to the project, which could include adding "some high-end suites" and expansion of the conference facilities.

"While we have capacity (at the Brookstown Inn) for about 200 for weddings, we don't have the accommodations for a larger conference," Angell said. "We're very excited about it."

Bob McCoy, president of Visit Winston-Salem, the local convention and visitors bureau, said the new amenities would be a welcome addition to the market.

"It's nice to hear this, because we've had such a step up in quality in this community in terms of offerings for conferences," he said, citing the improvements made at the Marriott and Embassy Suites downtown.

Angell said renovations should begin soon and be finished sometime during 2008. The operations of The Annex at Brookstown will be run by the Brookstown Inn, which will be connected to the Annex by a walkway.

The Brookstown Inn was built in 1837 as a textile mill and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has 70 guest rooms. Stephanie Tyson and Vivian Joiner, owners of downtown restaurant Sweet Potatoes, recently opened The Cotton Mill restaurant in the inn.

http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2007/11/05/story6.html?b=1194238800%5e1543933&surround=etf
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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Music fans hold out hope that Ziggy's will open downtown

Many say that the venue features bands that others don't, has a unique atmosphere


By Patrick Wilson
JOURNAL REPORTER

Music lovers in the midst of their final Thanksgiving bash at Ziggy’s Tavern on Baity Street say they’re sad about the loss of a unique venue.

“It’s a tragedy,” said Michael Long of Charlotte, who grew up in Greensboro. “It’s not a place that you go to be seen. It’s a place to hear good music.”

“We travel all over the country to see live music - different bands that can’t be seen in regular places,” said Long’s girlfriend, Gabbi Clark. “There’s not many places you can go to see bands like this.”

The ninth-annual “Thanksgathering” at Ziggy’s, which ends tonight, will be the last, and regulars at Ziggy’s yesterday talked about what they’ll miss most. Long and Clark ended up at Ziggy’s after visiting family in the Triad for Thanksgiving.

Such stops are about hearing the music they love - music that isn’t on the radio. For one music lover, Elizabeth Garner, 17, this weekend capped more than 60 trips to Ziggy’s since she was a child.

“There’s not much to do in Winston, but you can always come to Ziggy’s and hang out,” she said.

Her favorite performances were by the band Perpetual Groove - which is among bands playing this weekend - and pop-rock singer Edwin McCain.

“I’m trying to find another place to go once Ziggy’s closes,” she said.

On the other end of the spectrum was Bill Fenner, 53, of Charlotte. He is a Perpetual Groove fan and sees about 100 shows a year at concert venues from Asheville to the Outer Banks.

“Ziggy’s has more of a rustic feel,” he said. “When you walk in there, you think, ‘This would be perfect at the beach.’”

Fans said they hope that owner Jay Stephens will open a new Ziggy’s in downtown Winston-Salem. Stephens had said he was interested in the former Woolworth’s building on Liberty Street, but he said earlier this week that the site now doesn’t look as promising.

However, he is talking to people about renting or buying downtown property, and he met yesterday with the owner of the building housing Contempo Casuals on West Fourth Street.

Still, any new location “won’t be this building,” Fenner said. “You can go buy a new Corvette. It won’t be the same as a ’69 Stingray.”

He said he didn’t fault Stephens for selling the nightclub.

“That’s the American dream, is to buy something that has value,” he said.

Garner said she hopes that Ziggy’s will open downtown.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed on that, but no matter what, I don’t think the atmosphere will ever be the same,” she said.

■ Patrick Wilson can be reached at 727-7286 or at

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1173353617440&pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099

[TwinCity]

836 Oak update

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http://836oak.com/

30 lofts in a former tobacco warehouse

Von Leake condos rendering

before
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after
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new renderings up at West End Village site
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office building renovation near ballpark
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[TwinCity]

http://www.stonyknollstudio.com/images/jsc_condo_large.jpg
bigger view of Von Leake

[krazeeboi]

^That's a pretty swanky renovation there; I really like that.

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for the continuous updates, TwinCity :okay:

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A Better View: Architectural designs of new stadium show suites, playground
http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?ssbinary=true&blobcol=urlthumbpicture&blobheader=image/jpeg&blobkey=id&blobtable=MGImage&blobwhere=1173353816086&cachecontrol=23%3A37%3A57+7/6/7
parking lots r temporary

By Bertrand M. Gutierrez
JOURNAL REPORTER

Batters in the new downtown stadium will have to smack a ball 390 feet for a home run to centerfield.

Behind home plate, special suites can be rented for big parties, and beyond the centerfield fence, children can do what children do in a fenced-off playground.

Atop one of the stadium’s walls, a replica of a Primo Water bottle - the company of Winston-Salem Warthogs co-owner Billy Prim - will rise six stories tall.

Those are some of the highlights of the city’s new downtown ballpark, revealed in architectural designs obtained by the Winston-Salem Journal.

The designs for the $22.6 million downtown ballpark will be discussed Wednesday by Winston-Salem and Forsyth County officials, the first such discussion since the city and county agreed last winter to spend $38 million in public money over 25 years on the project.

General descriptions have been given all along for the ballpark, but they haven’t been as specific - or binding - as these designs.

General guidelines concerning such issues as lighting, noise levels and parking already had been set by the Winston-Salem City Council when Prim had the land rezoned in August, and preliminary drawings of the 5,500-seat ballpark have been submitted to the city.

The meeting this week, however, marks the first real discussion of the actual design of the stadium.

When the council set the general guidelines for the ballpark, it requested that the appearance commission review the design plans, Mayor Allen Joines said yesterday.

The meeting Wednesday in large part will be a way for the Prim and architects from Stimmel Associates PA and Calloway Johnson Moore West to explain the architectural plans, which can make for extremely technical reading as it provides such detailed information as topographical lines, or how high something rises above sea level.

The project manager, Joe Bellissimo, could not be reached for comment yesterday. But the design plans also give a clearer picture of what the stadium might look like.

For example, the plans appear to show three access points to the stadium: one on the first-base side, one on the third-base side and another by the outfield.

The brick walls with pronounced columns have the look of a smaller version of Camden Yards, the major-league ballpark in Baltimore.

About 150 feet from the first-base side of the stadium, drivers heading west on Business 40 would see on their right a ballpark about two stories high.

The ballpark project is much larger than minor-league baseball games, hot dogs and Friday-night fireworks.

The overall project, including a second phase that would bring a development of stores, offices and residences, is estimated to funnel $189 million in public and private investments into about 40 acres between Peters Creek Parkway, Business 40 and Brookstown Avenue.

A subcommittee of the Community Appearance Commission will review the plans during a public meeting Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Stuart Municipal Building.

The subcommittee will make recommendations to the developer and architects on whether to alter the plans.

The appearance commission is a 15-member panel, many of whom are architects and engineers, appointed by the city council and the Forsyth commissioners.

The commission’s review is one of the steps necessary for the developer to get building permits.

Jamie Moore, who works at the N.C. School of the Arts and has a background in horticulture, said he liked the amount of trees and shrubs that the developer plans to put around the ballpark.

In the design plans, sidewalks around the stadium and leading up to the entrances are lined with trees.

Shaun Sidden, the chairman of the appearance commission, said he has not completely reviewed the plans and, therefore, could not comment on them. In general, he said, the architecture companies and developer seem willing to work with the commission to straighten out any possible rough edges.

“What we want to do is see that things fit in with the character of the community,” he said.

“The main thing that we want to make sure of is, socially, that it is a great addition to our downtown. We want to make it aesthetically just as good as any other addition to our downtown.”

■ Bertrand M. Gutierrez can be reached at 727-7283 or at
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[b]rendering up for the first building of The Center for Design Innovation campus in PTRP[b]

http://www.cjmw.com/photos/combo%20CARD%20COVER_web%203.jpg
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33,000 square foot Center will specialize in the research and application of digital design in everything from product design to entertainment, life science to education.

The initiatives and projects developed at CDI will be human scale – things we use or interact with on a daily basis. The body – its movement, anatomical structure and make-up – will form the basis for a majority of the work at CDI. The design concept began with a similar body-centered intention that focused the building around a central spine and structural ‘rib cage.’ CDI is currently in the design phase; anticipated completion is 2009.

[TwinCity]

THE FINAL DESIGN

http://www.digtriad.com/news/pdf/warthogs_fullexterior.jpg
http://www.digtriad.com/news/pdf/warthogs_morepicts.jpg

bigger site plan:
http://www.digtriad.com/news/pdf/warthog_stadium_sketch.pdf

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for the renderings!!! I was going back to the previous updates and realized that I missed the piece on the return of Republic back to DT Winston-Salem. This is the kind of news we all want to hear. 325 employees is not small change, especially as companies still look to suburban office parks for better deals. Even 100 more people hitting the streets every day for lunch can make an impact. Hopefully, many of these employees will choose to live downtown - it makes more sense, IMHO.

[TwinCity]

photo updates...

One Park Vista
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a couple of Liberty Street properties being restored
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10 apartments a gallery space
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College Park - a new neighborhood taking shape opposite the Gateway just south of downtown
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Salem Place Townhomes
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old coca-cola bottling plant adjacent to Salem Place.
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Marshall Street Brownstones
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Deacon Tower will be complete in June
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[TU 'cane]

This is all real good news. great job.

[Raleigh-NC]

These photos are evidence of the progress in Winston-Salem's urban fabric. I like the Marshall Street Brownstones, in particular :okay:

[TwinCity]

^^^thats one of my favortie projects too.

Developers are blaming the national housing slump on the changes to a few of downtown's residential proposals.

-Liberty Place appears to be cancelled...a new project for the site is being discussed.

-Developers of The Gallery is considering going rental with their 77 lofts project. only half have been pre-sold and sales have been really slow as of late.

-No word on the status of The Disrtict

-Blvd Centro is holding 4th and Green until later this year. only 85% of Phase one of West End Village has been sold.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353986067
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Jimmy John's is planning a restaurant at the corner of 4th and Cherry St. The 1,600-square-foot sub shop is scheduled to open in the former New York Styles space by May. This will be the second Jimmy John’s in Winston-Salem

too many sandwich shops in one area IMO...

Hoeing was skeptical at first about putting in a downtown location, but through research he saw a lot of activity going on in the area and thinks that a downtown Jimmy John’s will be a good venture, especially for his lunch business.

The downtown Jimmy John’s is entering a market that has at least two sub shops and another on the way. There is Quiznos on Fourth Street and Subway on Third Street near the courthouse.

The owners of the Third Street Subway, Jon Kite and Ashley Newsome, plan to open a second downtown Subway in February at 616 W. Fourth St. The Subway will be in the building that houses Skippy’s and other businesses.
http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354077522


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A new graphic for Civic Plaza has been revealed showing two 20+ mixed-use towers!!! Phase one which includes the renovation and addition to the Pepper Building, and Tower One on Liberty Street is scheduled to break ground this year with a compltetion date set for late next year. Tower Two would replace the old Sheriff's building on 3rd and Town Run Lane.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2142667308_6559bb875e.jpg
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Friday, December 7, 2007

'Green' home project targets downtown W-S

Downtown Winston-Salem will soon see the early stages of a new "green project," as five Leed-certified homes go up along Second Street in the Holly Avenue neighborhood.

Construction could start as early as the beginning of next year for two of the houses, which already have buyers, said Anne Tambling, lead designer with Metropolis Architecture, which is involved with developing the project.

The homes will be certified at the silver level with Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) through the U.S. Green Building Council.

While such residential construction techniques are becoming more common through the northeast and northwest United States, Triad homebuilders remain well behind the curve.

The vast majority of Triad homebuilders are not consistently using Leed or Energy Star-rated construction techniques, both of which promote energy and material-use conversation.

The Twin City project, called Calliope Place, stems from the 2003 Home House Project by the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, which drew hundreds of entries for sustainable and affordable housing designs. Ten of the designs were selected for future home buyers to choose from, said Bill Benton, a managing member of Sustainable Housing LLC, which is developing the project.

So far, two buyers have been found for the houses, which are around 2,000 square feet and cost about $300,000, depending on custom features added by the buyer. Each plan was tailored by the designer to fit the land specifications.

Benton said he is using the five houses as his chance to test the market and learn how to do green construction. He said he hopes to do similar, larger projects in the future.

The houses will be arranged on a total of three-quarters of an acre, which will give it a close community feel, Tambling said.

Jerry Herman, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem, said of the association's 240 members, the number of builders doing green building has doubled to about 15 percent from a few years ago.

"It's grown in the last couple of years, but it has a long way to go," he said. "Like anything new, it takes a little while to catch on."

One of the buyers, David Newey, said he likes the idea of having an energy-efficient house that doesn't leave too much of a footprint.

"I think this little project represents a direction that Winston-Salem will probably start to see more of," he said.

Reach Laura Youngs at (336) 370-2913 or lyoungs@bizjournals.com.

[erm1981]

So there are twin 20+ story towers in the works for WS?

[TwinCity]

yes Civic Plaza. It started out as a 14 story condo tower and park but over time, has evolved into a superblock with 2 high rises, 1 mid rise, park and the renovation of 2 historic buildings.

[g-man430]

^^Will it get built?

[TwinCity]

so far, it looks pretty likely. this is supposed to be downtown's "living room." the office space is said to be already pre-leased.

[Raleigh-NC]

Great updates, TwinCity :okay: Glad to see the new renderings for the Civic Plaza, too.

[Matthew]

Tallest proposed skyscrapers for Winston-Salem. These are all confirmed and all but one has a rendering or other graphics.

Proposed New Construction in Winston-Salem:
1. Civic Plaza Tower I - 24 storeys
2. Civic Plaza Tower II - 23 storeys
3. Union Station Apartments - 18 storeys
4. 212 West Fourth Street - 10-11 storeys?
5. Crescent Tower - 9-10 storeys?
6. 248 South Main - 9 storeys
7. WFUBMC Tower - 9 storeys (Has three wings. Could move to another location and scale-up as one tall tower?)

[g-man430]

^^With what's happening here in Greenville with proposed highrises, I would say only about 2-3 of those you listed will be built and if they do get built, they might be reduced in size.

[Raleigh-NC]

^^
Is becoming the greatest pessimist part of your New Year's resolution? Man, you are depressing me :ohno:

[g-man430]

^^:grouphug: I have to depress you. It's my job. :D

[Matthew]

I expect to see all of these built, but I do question 248 South Main?

Civic Plaza towers I and II have city and county financing to cover a large part of their costs, along with a possible grant for the below-ground parking deck with performance park space and are part of an effort by the Downtown Partnership to add a new city park to the eastern end of West Fourth Street, which is surrounded by highrises. Their office space is also 100% preleased and they have apartments, which don't require presales. This project has scaled-up recently.

Union Station Apartments has city, county, state and federal financing and is part of the effort to restore the state's largest historic train station for proposed commuter rail service. The most recent federal spending bill had $3 million in earmarks for this project, if I'm not mistaken. Also they are apartments, which don't require presales. PART transit system has agreed to a lease for the train station. The bank office space may be leased also? Winston-Salem State University is on the other side of the tracks and will have a pedestrian bridge link to the train terminal, apartment tower, retail and offices. This project has scaled-up recently.

212 West Fourth Street is only 45 feet wide and 45,000 square feet. The office space on the lower five floors is 100% preleased by the partners building it. The tower will be LEED certified to the highest level as a portfolio project for the firms involved to advertise LEED projects to their potential clients. There aren't many condos involved, but they are the only niche condos in the Triad for those who want to go as "green" as possible. It is in design and renderings will be released soon. One of the firms involved is bringing a US Green Building Council Chapter to Winston-Salem and I'm guessing it could be located in this tower?

Crescent Tower is part of a multi-phase development that will take a few years to complete. The developer and property owner are very committed to the development and have built two or three buildings in the development so far. When the existing buildings lease, construction will start on the next phase. Crescent Tower includes a parking deck, office space and condos on the upper-levels.

248 South Main is in question, but the developer is very committed to his projects and will take as much time as he needs to build them. This project includes two floors of parking, one office floor and the top floor is storage space for condo buyers. It is about two blocks from the Wachovia Center and a block or two away from Old Salem National Landmark District. It will replace an abandoned historic apartment building with ground-level retail. The original Salem City Hall (now an office building for grapic design and law firms) is the building's neighbor and across the street, you'll find an historic 1910 train depot (upscale restaurant and offices) and the Downtown Middle School is beside the depot in an original Salem Steel Factory Building. Several design firms and the headquarters for a regional architectural firm are in this area. This is a very historic area of downtown Winston-Salem. A six storey hotel, a block or two away, was built in 1837. I'm guessing these are very attractive condos for the neighborhood, walk to work, exercise areas and views.

WFUBMC Tower was needed years ago. Winston-Salem is North Carolina's all-in-one healthcare center, with a hospital tower for everything and two of the state's top three largest hospitals. These two large hospitals are the two largest employers in the Triad and multi-billion dollar private corporations. Two of these hospitals battle for the title of largest in the Triad against each other and control hospitals in other cities across the state and I think Forsyth Medical Center's Novant Health Corporation actually controls a hospital or two in South Carolina? This tower will add 51 new beds to Baptist Hospital and move them closer to Forsyth Medical Center for second largest in the state. These hospital towers create their own dense skylines. The project, required state approval (CON) to build, is best described as three towers in one, with a large footprint. I think three buildings will be demolished for the project, if it is built on the original site. It will be the largest and most expensive development ever built in the Triad and one of the most expensive projects under construction in the southeast. The SaraLee Womens Hospital at Winston-Salem's Salis Creek Medical Complex, completed in 2007 currently holds the record of most expensive development built in the Triad and was in the top 15 most expensive projects in the southeast. Though they are ready to build, neighbors have asked them to consider a new location. A helicopter landing pad and a new emergency room are the reason. The new location has a small footprint and could result in a taller tower. A WSTB forum member said the tower could reach 23 storeys in the new location and an historic 4-storey building from the early 1920's will be saved. HKS Architects in Dallas was hired in 2005 as the design architect. http://www.hksinc.com/ The tallest hospital building in Winston-Salem currently is Brenner Children's Hospital, built in 2002. Brenner is also the tallest hospital tower in the state.

[Beware]

:) " Very Impressive, Winston-Salem! "

[g-man430]

^^:eat: Beware of what? :dunno:

[Raleigh-NC]

^^
Beware of certain [depressed] forumers :poke: :rofl:

Personally, I think that Winston-Salem will see those proposals materialize. The Twin City has demonstrated a low profile attitude and has shown its preference for slow, progressive revitalization, as opposed to crazy, out of control pace, followed by excessive hype and spending. I am not saying some projects may not become "victim" of scale-downs and cancellations, but I am not sure it will happen with the aforementioned projects.

[g-man430]

^^:D I got sumtin' to say, and I need the world to hear it. I'm a lyricologist. I can rap about anything. Shrink, shrink. Blinkity-blink. Tried to make me think. Wanna go to my sink. And vomit. Clean it up wit' Comet. Earth is my planet. See? I'm the shiznit. Don't be hatin. You feel me?

[TwinCity]

^^With what's happening here in Greenville with proposed highrises, I would say only about 2-3 of those you listed will be built and if they do get built, they might be reduced in size.

how does whats happening in Greenville have anything to do with downtown Winston-Salem?

[Raleigh-NC]

It's g-man you are talking to... He can (c)rap about anything, as he said :rofl:

[g-man430]

^^:D Don't be hatin. My name is g-man I once was banned. I think I got hit in the head with a frying pan. I might not have a clan but i'm still the man.

[Beware]

^^:eat: Beware of what? :dunno:

;) " I would tell You, but Then I would have to..... You! "

[g-man430]

^^...But then I would have to feed you? :dunno: :eat:

[erm1981]

G-man....Winston Salem isnt afraid to build towers like Greenville is....just a fact of life. Winston Salem already has a big skyline for there size. If all these get built it will be fantastic.

[g-man430]

^^Greenville isn't afraid. It's just the developers here are stupid and don't know what they're doing. :yes:

[Beware]

^^...But then I would have to feed you? :dunno: :eat:

:lol: Yes,.... Of course!

[Raleigh-NC]

We always need to remember that Winston-Salem was once the largest city in North Carolina, with strong economy and some powerful regional players in charge of it. While Winston-Salem lost that place to Charlotte, it remained prominent. Not to mention it's historic fabric is unsurpassed by any other major city in the state. In other words, Winston-Salem may be silent, but not asleep :) Its urban renewal is very real and it is happening faster than its leaders care to promote. Can Winston-Salem get a 30+ story tower in the nearest future? Sure it can, provided there is demand for it. The current proposals do just that: satisfy demand. It will be a matter of time before we see even bigger proposals. My guess is, demand for downtown living will mostly push residential high-rises before we hear of new office towers above 15 floors.

[TwinCity]

http://www.dwsp.org/images/RUSHcopy.jpg
THE RUSH 24/7 IS OPEN for business in their temporary facility located at the corner of Fourth and Spruce Streets in the Dot Commerce building. They offer a full range of weights and cardio equipment and are currently accepting new members. They will move into their permanent facility in the Twin City Building at the corner of Fourth and Marshall Streets in a few months. Visit www.therush247.com for more information.
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Friday, January 11, 2008

Purchase would expand jail
Forsyth could also use Phillips Building for immigrant screening


By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER

Forsyth County commissioners are getting ready to buy a building in downtown Winston-Salem - a project that would cost millions of dollars - to solve future crowding at the county jail as well as space needs if the jail is accepted into a federal immigration-screening program.

“Well, this could be our own little deportation center,” Commissioner Debra Conrad said yesterday.

Commissioners are set to vote on the purchase of the Phillips Building on Church Street when they meet Monday night. They would put a $10,000 refundable deposit on the vacant building.

The deal with Winston Tower Church LLC would give the county 180 days to determine how much it will cost to repair the building and turn it into a jail. If the county decides to move forward, the building’s purchase price will be $5.48 million.

The county has been looking at the Phillips Building for several months as a potential space for the court system or the sheriff’s office. The building is at the corner of Third and Church streets.

The current plan is to use a portion of the six-story building as a jail and to convert the rest into county office space. It will likely include space for the sheriff’s office. The commissioners have said that they plan to sell the Sheriff’s Administration Building on Third Street. Sheriff Bill Schatzman said that the county needs more jail space. He said that the current jail can safely house about 1,100 people. Last summer, he said, 970 of those beds were filled. Right now, about 900 beds are occupied.

More jail space would likely be needed if the county is accepted into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency’s immigration-screening program.

The program allows the sheriff’s office to screen people’s immigration status when they are booked into the jail. Anyone found in the country illegally would be turned over to the federal government. The program has been a pet project for many commissioners. After months of political pressure, the board recently persuaded Schatzman to apply.

Schatzman has said that he wants Forsyth County to serve as a regional hub for the program and house illegal immigrants for surrounding counties. He said he needs 200 to 300 beds to do that job.

http://media.gatewaync.com/wsj/photos/2008/01/11/phillipsEnlarge.jpg

read more here: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354169176&path=%21localnews&s=1037645509099

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Board OKs office buy
Phillips Building would help county, Whisenhunt says

By Wesley Young
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Phillips Building could provide enough space downtown to handle the county’s needs for the next 35 to 50 years, Gloria Whisenhunt, the chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, said yesterday.

The commissioners voted unanimously last night to enter into an agreement to buy the six-story building, which stands at 301 N. Church Street across from the Forsyth County Jail. The county can pull the plug on the deal if it finds out during the next 180 days that the building isn’t suitable for the county’s needs.

“By state statute, we have to house the public defender and district attorney, and the state is constantly giving those two offices new positions,” Whisenhunt said before the meeting. “This year, they gave the district attorney eight new positions, but we are providing the office space for them.”

If all goes as planned, the Phillips Building could house such offices and others under one roof, Whisenhunt said.

“It is a great location for the sheriff,” she said.

Under the agreement, the county would buy the building from Winston Tower Church LLC for $5.48 million and spend $100,000 more to remove an elevated pedestrian walkway attached to the building.

The county will put $10,000 toward the purchase and pay the rest on or before Sept. 15 - although the county can ask for an extension if it needs more time to examine the property.

Preliminary examinations of the building indicate that it is unlikely to have problems that would keep the county from following through on the purchase, Whisenhunt said.

The county can save money by not having to lease office space for county functions in locations scattered across downtown, she said.

Such consolidation was one reason behind the construction of the government center. The office of the Register of Deeds is moving there later this month.

The Phillips Building would consolidate law-enforcement and court-related functions, Commissioner Debra Conrad said.

It could house additional jail cells as the county’s jail reaches capacity, although Conrad said that more ways should be found to reduce the use of the existing jail.

Conrad recently said that cells in the new building could also house illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.

Sheriff Bill Schatzman said that the federal immigrant-screening program that the county hopes to participate in shouldn’t be seen as the driving force behind the purchase of the Phillips Building.

He said that regardless of whether the county participates in the screening program, projections show a need for more jail cells over the coming decades.

“With some bridgework over the street part of the Phillips Building, (it) could be used as a jail annex for minimum security,” Schatzman said before the meeting. “It has parking for 300 cars. It does present a large floor plan for the county’s needs.”

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354213714

[TwinCity]

video:http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=5482783&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[Raleigh-NC]

News 14 has a story on this, with a video: County in need of more office space (http://news14.com/content/top_stories/591809/county-in-need-of-more-office-space/Default.aspx).

[TwinCity]

^^^thanks for that link. If all goes as planned, this would take a huge chunk out of the downtown vacancy rate...which could possibly bring us closer to new spec space. i think all of the proposed office developments for downtown are already pre-leased?

W-S Named Among World's Most Intelligent Communities

Intelligent Community Forum Announces the 2008 Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year

Group of seven communities from around the world are finalists for 2008 Intelligent Community of the Year award; three communities named to list for the second time; America contributes three communities to the list for the first time

(Honolulu, January 14, 2008) -The Intelligent Community Forum announced today its list of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year, each a model for economic development in the 21st Century, at PTC'08 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Top Seven announcement is the second stage of ICF's annual Intelligent Community awards cycle. Gaining a place among the Top Seven is a major achievement as well as a step toward even greater recognition for communities working to create prosperity and social inclusion in what ICF terms "the broadband economy."

The Top Seven were selected, based on analysis by academic experts, from among the Smart21 Communities of the Year, a group of semi-finalists named by ICF on October 25, 2007 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, which was the 2007 Intelligent Community of the Year. On May 16, one of the Top Seven will be named 2008's Intelligent Community of the Year during ICF's Building the Broadband Economy annual summit in New York City.


Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. Powerful government-business-academic collaboration led by Wake Forest University permitted this former "tobacco capital" to build a fiber network that spurred demand and led to an 88% broadband penetration rate. The partners have used this digital foundation to develop free computer labs across the region, create an e-government portal that is number three in the nation, and build a sustainable ICT skills training program. The city and county now count 37,000 biotech employees as residents and will fund a program to put PCs and broadband connections into the homes of low-income students.

http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=270

[Raleigh-NC]

Congrats on the recognition :okay:

[TwinCity]

http://extras.journalnow.com/multimedia/slideshows/2007/17snow/slideshow.html
photos of first snow of the season! :)

[Raleigh-NC]

Thanks for sharing the link... We were hoping for some snow, but we got NOTHING :( At least it is raining here.

[TwinCity]

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Ballpark wins final approval from appearance commission

By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Community Appearance Commission unanimously approved final design plans this afternoon for the open-air stadium being built alongside Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem.

The vote ensures that the project's co-developer, Billy Prim, who also co-owns the Winston-Salem Warthogs minor-league baseball team, can build the ballpark as planned.

But concerns about proposed parking lots and signs at stadium remain - including worries about a 38-foot water-bottle advertisement for Primo, a bottled-water company started by Prim.

Paul Norby, the city-county planning director, said the giant water-bottle, as well a roof-top stadium sign and a gravel parking lot, do not appear to comply with city code. If developers want to keep these in the plan, they will have to petition to get the ordinances changed, he said.

Shaun Sidden, chairman of the appearance commission, praised the ballpark's design, saying that it will fit in well with the rest of downtown.

"They did a good job making something unique for Winston yet that belongs to Winston," Sidden said.

The appearance commission is made up of 15 members appointed by the Winston-Salem City Council and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

The commission reviews all projects paid for with public money.

The city and Forsyth County have agreed to spend nearly $38 million in incentives and other financial payments on the downtown ballpark and an accompanying retail, office and residential complex.


http://www.journalnow.com/

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Development OK'd
Design includes office space and apartments

By Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER


The Winston-Salem City Council moved forward last night with plans to create a high-density development center in the southern part of the city.

Council members unanimously approved a rezoning request for a 36-acre, mixed-use development off Peters Creek Parkway called Stafford Place.

The $65 million development by The Tetra Companies will bring 266 apartments and almost 130,000 square feet of commercial and office space to land next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter and Lowe’s.

The plans by the real-estate development and management company will add to what the city is calling the Peters Creek Parkway Metro Activity Center. The center is one of several high-density mixed-use developments planned in Forsyth County.

“It’s a place to live, work and play all in one area, all within walking distance,” said Ryan Bednar, a director with Tetra Companies office in Raleigh. “We just feel like

it’s the perfect spot for this mix of uses.”

Sketches of the development show three-story apartment buildings with a club house and swimming pool. Sidewalks line the streets in front of the commercial buildings. Bednar said he can envision restaurants, as well as retail and office space.

The different areas of the development will be connected by sidewalks or walking trails.

The parking is spread throughout the development, instead of clustered in large parking lots. Developers have proposed 541 spaces for the apartments and 1,015 for the commercial area.

Mayor Allen Joines said he is pleased to see a development that will reduce the need to drive. He said that the development will help bring people to one place where they can walk from home to work and to stores.

“I think this certainly is a step in the right direction of creating a mixed-use, walkable area,” he said.

The Tetra Companies plans to begin construction in the middle of 2009, Bednar said.

He said that the construction will be tied to the city’s plans to extend West Clemmonsville Road. The entry into the development will be off the new road.

The city is planning a new road, West Clemmonsville Road Extension, which will connect Old Salisbury Road and Peters Creek Parkway.

Before the council approved the project, one man whose property is adjacent to the development expressed a variety of concerns to council members. The developers have held two neighborhood meetings to talk to neighbors about the plans.

Council Member Molly Leight said she attended the meetings and that developers dealt with most neighbors’ concerns.

“I think it’s a pretty good project,” she said. “Certainly the cluster and mixed-use is ideal.”

■ Blair Goldstein can be reached at 727-7284 or at

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/sp2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/twincity2/sp.jpg

[Raleigh-NC]

Can't wait to see some site plans ;) The renderings look nice, though. Thanks for the update.

[TwinCity]

site plan:

http://www.cwsonline.org/sirepub/cache/2/22rfwarhkcr4yr45nbk2wl45/2232902052008031938210.PDF

[Raleigh-NC]

This development is larger than I thought :okay:

[TwinCity]

Small delay for PTRP project

excerpt from this week's bizjournal...

A big piece of the long-range vision for the Piedmont Triad Research Park is still on track, even if moving a bit more slowly than first hoped.

Last November, park officials said they were in contract negotiations with a Baltimore developer, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, on a deal to convert more than 1 million square feet of old R.J. Reynolds Tobacco buildings on 60 acres into residential, retail and laboratory space.

The project would surely cost into the hundreds of millions of dollars, but Struever Bros. has taken on ideas that big or bigger before.

That kind of mixed-use development fits right in with the kind of environment Wake Forest and the city want to create in one of the few downtown research parks in the country.

When talk of the project first surfaced, research park president Doug Edgeton said he hoped to have a final contract completed in January. When we asked him about that this week, he said he's now anticipating seeing some legal documents in March -- not a huge delay given the scope of the plans.

"It still looks extremely positive," he says.
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Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 2:44 PM EST

New restaurant opens in Downtown W-S

Downtown Winston-Salem has a new restaurant, Hutch & Harris, at 424 W. Fourth St.

Restaurateur Greg Richardson, a veteran of the Annapolis, Md., restaurant scene, moved here last year with his family and has launched this venture as owner and chef. His business employs about 30 people and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. nightly. Live music, including bluegrass, is planned for weekends. Lunch is about $10; dinner, $17-$20.

The menu features an eclectic mix of recipes Richardson has picked up in his travels, he said. For more information, call the restaurant at 721-1336 or www.hutchandharris.com
http://www.hutchandharris.com/images/handhlogouc.jpg
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recent photos of One Park Vista
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Seth_Crawford/oneparkvista.jpg
Jason Thiel, president of the DWSP

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Seth_Crawford/parkvista.jpg

[Raleigh-NC]

PTRP will be an excellent addition to the Triad and a great boost for North Carolina's research industry :okay: I look forward to seeing several different research centers in our metros, working together for a common goal.

One Park Vista looks great :okay: I bet it will look impressive when it is finished!!!

[TwinCity]

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Dewey's corporate offices will move downtown

By Paul Garber
JOURNAL REPORTER

Dewey's Bakery is moving its corporate offices to downtown.

The company's 11-member corporate staff will move from its Indiana Avenue location to a historic house in the 200 block of Cherry Street, just north of Brookstown Avenue.

Scott Livengood, Dewey's chief executive officer, said he had been scouting a suitable downtown location for about a year.

"I really wanted the office building to be an extension of Dewey's brand, and its heritage," he said.

He described the plan during the annual meeting of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership.

p>The company announced last year that Salem Baking Co., a division of Dewey's, was moving its Indiana Avenue production plant to a 50,000-square-foot plant in Mocksville. Company officials said then that the corporate headquarters would also move, but did not say where.

Livengood said he expects the move to the new location in April. The current tenant, D.L. Davis & Co. Inc., is moving to an office in the Southeast Gateway, said Jason Thiel, the president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership.

Dewey's operated a retail store on Fourth Street for about 50 years. It closed in 1996.

Livengood said he'd like to see another downtown Dewey's store, but said that there are no plans for one now. :(

you can see what remains of the painted sign on the Pepper Building on 4th street...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2139677535_855ebcf778_b.jpg

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354578091

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Changes to downtown Best Western

Good Life Land LLC wants to close the Best Western Inn on Cherry Street, and convert it into a high-end substance abuse treatment center...comparable to those in Pasadena and Laguna Beach CA, and additonal hotel rooms for the Brookstown Inn. also, a 16,000 sf conference center similar to Graylyn adjacent to the Brookstown Inn is planned. total cost for the project is $10 - $12 million. the rezoning request will go before the planning board on the 14th.

sounds like a nice project, but downtown would lose more hotel rooms.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellit...s=1037645509099

[Raleigh-NC]

Maybe they can put a nice bakery shop on the top of Winston Tower :lol: More good news for DT W-S - although I am not sure losing hotel space is - and I must say that photo is simply fantastic!!!!!!!

[Raleigh-NC]

Here is a little contribution to this thread: WFU plans redevelopment project (http://news14.com/content/top_stories/592840/wfu-plans-redevelopment-project/Default.aspx). Sounds like a great redevelopment plan, and its location seems to be ideal. Hopefully, we'll see and hear more on this project ;)

[TwinCity]

^ thanks for contributing. Its obvious that Deacon Blvd has been on a steady decline over recent years. Ziggy's is gone, strip clubs have came and left, chains have boarded due to lack of business. this is perfect timing for WFU, to coincide with their improved football stadium and soon, their new ballfield. Its also good that this area is being marketed as the gateway into downtown.

To go with news, is a video form WGHP. its pretty much pointless...lol but sums up the new trend of going mixed-use.

http://www.myfoxwghp.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=D53F0D81B6E6E77C349A02BF9018A009?contentId=5766602&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
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Possibly, the largest renovation/redevelopment project ever, for downtown...

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Transformation: Mixed-use project would reuse Reynolds buildings

By Richard Craver
JOURNAL REPORTER

An announcement is expected by early April on the proposal to develop 60 acres of Piedmont Triad Research Park in downtown Winston-Salem.

Officials with the research park and Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, a Baltimore company doing a $720 million waterfront project in that city, continue to negotiate, Doug Edgeton, the president of the research park, said yesterday.

“We expect to have a major announcement in late March or early April about the north district,” Edgeton told about 160 people attending a technology-council meeting of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. The prospect for the mixed-use development “looks great, but we’re not there yet in the details.”

Officials with Struever could not be reached for comment, but the company already features the project prominently on its Web site.

Struever says on its Web site that it plans to “transform 1.1 million square feet of the R.J. Reynolds historic tobacco warehouses into an urban live-work-play community, with Wake Forest University Health Sciences as the primary driver. Incorporated into the space will be medical laboratory and research space, a variety of residential options and commercial space.”

The proposed project would reuse buildings left vacant years ago as part of a reorganization by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., including the landmark Bailey Power Plant and its signature smokestack.

If the agreement goes through, officials said, it would boost the city’s push toward a biotechnology economy.

When the project surfaced in November, the company said it planned to develop the 60 acres in phases over five to six years. At that time, the contract for the project had been expected to be signed by January.

Edgeton said he has no concerns about the agreement falling through. He said that Struever Bros. has the finances to take on the job, which is estimated to run into the “hundreds of millions of dollars.”

There are about 1.28 million square feet of space that can be renovated - one-third for residential units, one-third for retail and one-third for biomedical labs. The first phase would include 16 acres and the renovation of some of the old buildings north of Vine Street, officials said.

The research park has been at the forefront of Winston-Salem’s push to transform its economy from one based on tobacco and textiles to one based on genes and science.

About 885 people work at the research park among 41 tenants, a work force that Edgeton said was slightly ahead of projections made in 2003. Among the companies are 33 that are not affiliated with Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which owns the research park. There are eight Wake Forest programs at the park, including the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Besides the plans for the north district, Edgeton said that steady progress is being made on a project involving the central district of the park. Railroad tracks are being removed to make way for new research buildings, and plans for a new connector rail line are being developed.

Other hurdles to clear are burying transmission-tower lines at the site and putting in a storm water-retention system that would flow into Salem Creek. Edgeton said that it could take two years to complete the rail-line project and as long as five years to phase in the storm-water system.

Separately, Edgeton said that the park is close to choosing from among six candidates for the third tenant in the Wet Lab Launch Pad, which made its debut in December. Wake Forest University Health Sciences built the labs, which are available for short-term lease. The other tenants are Tengion Inc. and Carolina Liquid Chemistries Corp. of Brea, Calif.


the website has prelimary renderings...and some pretty exciting figures
http://www.sber.com/winston-salem/
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East Winston infill

http://mjmcapitalpartners.com/images/Projects/Rainer_Salters_Front.JPG

The Project consists of 16 townhomes on 1.5 acres of land.

developer: MJM Capital Partners out of NY

site plan:
http://mjmcapitalpartners.com/images/Projects/Rainer_Salters_platt.jpg

floor plans:
http://mjmcapitalpartners.com/images/Projects/Rainer_Salters_Floor_Plans.pdf

map:http://mjmcapitalpartners.com/images/Projects/Rainer_Salters_Location_Map.pdf

[TwinCity]

some recent updates...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Goler gets city's help
Officials agree to take backseat for loan repayment

by Blair Goldstein
JOURNAL REPORTER

Goler Community Development Corporation won critical support from the city of Winston-Salem last night, allowing its largest downtown project to date to move forward as planned.

The Winston-Salem City Council unanimously agreed to take on increased risk on an existing loan to Goler to save the group’s proposed $35 million development off Patterson Avenue, the centerpiece of Goler’s development plan.

Without the city council’s cooperation, Goler would have been forced to default on a $700,000 loan.

“I think we’ve made quite an improvement to that area,” said Michael Suggs, the chairman of Goler’s board. “What we’re asking for is some more time.”

Goler told a committee of the city council last week that it needed the city to change the terms on two of the city’s loans to Goler, worth about $262,500. The changes agreed to last night increase the risk that the city would not be paid back if Goler’s Patterson Avenue project fails.

City staff members did not recommend that council members approve the heightened financial risk. Deputy City Manager Derwick Paige said that city staff was concerned because Goler has not finished raising money for the project. It is still about $3.2 million short of the $35 million it needs to build about 165 rental units, 50 condominium units and office and commercial space.

Goler officials have said that they plan to ask the city for more money to offset at least part of the $3.2 million gap.

“This is a messy situation,” said Council Member Molly Leight. “The thing is, the city has had so much good come out of what Goler has already accomplished.”

Goler has been working since 1998 to redevelop about 15 acres surrounding Goler Memorial AME Zion Church. The group has already completed several projects, including a 79-room apartment complex for seniors on Sixth Street and two duplexes on Chestnut Street. The Patterson Avenue project is on a four-acre tract in the center of the other projects.

Goler’s financial problems began when a $700,000 loan came due from Local Initiatives Support Corp., a national organization that works to promote community development. LISC stopped working in Winston-Salem last year and has told Goler that it does not want to extend its loan.

Goler officials told city-council members that if LISC is not repaid, it will foreclose.

Goler is trying to secure a $720,000 loan from SunTrust Bank to replace the LISC money. But SunTrust will not lend Goler the money without the guarantee that it will be the first lender to be repaid.

The city council agreed to those conditions last night. The city will now be second in line for repayment on one of its loans to Goler and will be third in line for another.

Goler’s current debt on the property is about $1.2 million. It must tell SunTrust if it will accept the new loan by the end of the month.

Several council members said they were disappointed that LISC is not continuing to work with Goler.

Goler plans to come back before the city council in coming months to ask for more changes to city loans.

It plans to ask the city council to change the terms on a $100,000 loan for the Truliant Federal Credit Union building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, where Goler has its offices.

Goler officials have said they want to take out a loan to repay itself for the work it did to renovate a portion of that building. In order to get that loan, the city would have to once again allow other groups to be repaid first.

http://www.golercdc.org/cmt/prod/35.jpg
Goler's early rendering of the Patterson St. project

http://journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355081553
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Wednesday, April 2, 2008

A new lease on life for the Sawtooth Building
Arts Council plans major renovations, including new theater


By Ken Keuffel
JOURNAL REPORTER

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County will propose this morning an $11 million plan to transform the Sawtooth Building into a “Downtown Center for the Arts’’ with a multiuse theater.

The Sawtooth plan is part of an overall $26 million campaign by the arts council, which says it already has pledges totaling $13 million.

But only $5.5 million of that has been earmarked for transforming the Sawtooth Building.

The arts council plans to ask the Winston-Salem City Council to contribute $3 million over several years toward the work at Sawtooth, said Milton Rhodes, the arts council’s president and chief executive. He said that the request would be made in mid-April. About $2.5 million in additional money for transforming the Sawtooth Building would come from other sources.

“We’ve got to raise considerably more money to start,” Rhodes said. But he expressed confidence that the council will raise the remaining capital funds so that construction can begin in August.

“I don’t know what, if anything, the city would choose to fund,” City Manager Lee Garrity said. “At this point, we have not made any commitment to the arts council.”

As envisioned, the new center would be expanded to 78,000 square feet, up from 51,000 square feet. That would include the new theater, which will be built in the former AC Delco building at Second and Spruce streets and would be called the Hanesbrands Theatre. Hanesbrands is giving a $2 million gift toward construction.

The renovations of the Sawtooth Building will include reconfiguring galleries, performance spaces and visual-arts classrooms. The Sawtooth School for Visual Art, which leases space in the building from the arts council for its programs, is also taking part in the fundraising campaign.

“Residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are eager to embrace the arts, which mean so much to our vitality, quality of life and economy,” said J.D. Wilson, the president and chief executive of Excalibur Enterprises Inc., a direct-marketing and communications company. Wilson was recruited to be a co-chairman of the fundraising campaign with his wife, Janie. “This will give us a new community living room in the heart of downtown that we can all be proud of and use together.”

Additional goals

Besides the $11 million for the new center, the arts council is trying to raise $5 million for an endowment to sustain the center and the theater, $1 million for a three-year effort to promote Winston-Salem as the “City of the Arts” to visitors and potential employees, and $9 million for the council’s annual fundraising drives over three years.

Money from the annual drive provides additional operating support to a growing number of arts organizations. More than 20 organizations now get money from the arts council.

The arts council’s goal in this year’s fundraising drive is $2.75 million, which is part of the $9 million goal. The goal will be $3 million in 2009 and $3.25 million in 2010.

The $5 million endowment would help ensure that fewer fundraising dollars are used for future maintenance problems in the center.

“Things break,” Rhodes said. “We’ve just got to have some money available to help with those problems. That’s where the endowment kicks in.”

Work on the theater is expected to begin in August and be complete by March 2010. It is expected to take care of maintenance problems in the Sawtooth Building that have been costing the council about $400,000 a year.

A central home for the arts has been a goal of arts-council officials for a number of years.

In 2003, for example, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. announced that it was planning a $60 million retail and entertainment complex called Unity Place. At the time, the arts council had proposed to be part of that project with a $15 million to $16 million performing-arts center. But the plans for Unity Place collapsed as Krispy Kreme became mired in financial woes.

Wilson said he believes that the current effort has caught on because it “creates a new line of energy downtown” that connects various developments surrounding it.

Performance space

The new theater, with 300 movable seats and its ability to create different stage setups, will help satisfy the demand for a smaller space that can accommodate a range of dance, theater and film productions, Rhodes said. Several groups have expressed an interest in using it.

“The demand for quality performance space, smaller than the Stevens Center, has grown,” Rhodes said. The Stevens Center has about 1,360 seats, depending on the type of performance.

The theater will join two spaces within the center that can be used for performances, conferences and special events. One space, the Mountcastle Forum, already exists in the Sawtooth Building.

The other space, meant mainly for performances of music, does not yet exist. It will go up in what is now the RJ Reynolds Gallery.

Visual arts
As for the Sawtooth School for Visual Art, it will get more and better-equipped classrooms. These will enable the school to meet the demand for popular programs such as ceramics and to increase the variety of classes that can be offered at the same time.

Space in the Sawtooth Building has become so limited that disciplines involving metal, glass and wood are confined to one room.

“If we have a glass class, we can’t have jewelry class,” said Sherri Nielson, Sawtooth’s executive director, adding that she would like to offer classes in all disciplines each night.

“We’re limited by space,” Nielson said. “Today’s society requires us to be flexible.”

The work planned in the Sawtooth Building will also allow more room for the School for Visual Art’s youth programs, and it will create more studio space for ceramics and sculpting in the northern end of the building where there had been restaurants or bars that failed. Rhodes said that the arts council has given up the idea of using that space to collect rent.

Instead, people on the street will be able to look into the ceramics studios - something that is very important to Nielson.

“A lot of people don’t realize the school’s going on in the building,” she said. “This will open up people’s eyes to Sawtooth School, as well as the many other uses of the building.”

Practical needs

The construction calls for the Sawtooth’s main entrance to move from Marshall Street to Spruce Street. A circular driveway will be added and there will be at least 140 parking spaces facing the driveway on the other side of Spruce. The Sawtooth Building currently doesn’t have a drop-off area, and parking is limited to a few spaces along Marshall Street.

“Parking and safe access were major considerations in the planning,” Rhodes said. That “is particularly important considering the number of children who attend events and participate in programs at the Sawtooth Building.”

The renovated building also will include a shop stocked with supplies for classes, and the Davis Gallery will be enlarged and moved to the center of the building.

The “comprehensive” campaign does not deal with some issues.

Winston Square Park, a city-owned property right next to the Sawtooth Building, will not be affected by the project. Rhodes said he envisions some kind of public-private partnership as a way of placing public art in the park and improving sound, lighting and seating.

Nielson has yet to say where Sawtooth classes will take place during construction of the center. She said she will announce plans in May.

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■ Ken Keuffel can be reached at 727-7337 or at kkeuffel@wsjournal.com.

[Raleigh-NC]

The Goler project is definitely worth the help from the city, be that direct, or indirect. The timing for borrowing money isn't exactly ideal, I am afraid, but a vision like this deserves to materialize, IMHO. Thanks for the updates.

[TwinCity]

Changes for Civic Plaza...

bad news...

Niemann Capital has been dropped form the Civic Plaza project, after not securing financing and not purchasing the properties from the city by the 4-6-08 deadline. so ultimately, the project is back at square one. the president of the DWSP wants this project to be top priority for the developer, and according to him, Niemann did not show much interest in getting this project started.


http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355205451

the good news:

Kerry Avant of One Park Vista LLC, has been named lead developer for the rest of Civic Plaza. he has 3 months to present his plans to the board. already, he saying that his will be much l like Nieman Capital's proposal...city park with office, retail and residential space. the Pepper Building will be renovated also.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355230766&path=!business&s=1037645507703

[Raleigh-NC]

This is a prime location and I hope to see something at least as nice as the previous proposal. Too bad lenders don't have some faith in such great projects :(

[TwinCity]

http://baseballdowntown.com/images/header.jpg
http://baseballdowntown.com

new renderings and a promo video on the website.

[TwinCity]

5-12 downtown construction updates...

The Gateway
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HillCrest Furniture building restoration
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the rear is now being restored. this building is really beautiful. it reminds me of the thoughtful restoration projects in downtown Savannah and Charleston. To who ever decided to restore Hillcrest, i hope you continue to other buildings that need this attention.
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PTRP site prep...
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there been plenty progress on the track replacement phase. they have really cleaned up the segement leaving union station and ripped up the old lines in the central district. is there some sort of timeline for passenger rail service for downtown. i know the union station development is planned to break ground late next year. the tracks to the station look to be revivied? ( all the surrounding vegetation has been removed, tracks are now seen clearly from th highway)
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New Theater
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Ballpark
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One Park Vista
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Best Western being converted to an upscale hotel
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Kuhn Studio renovation
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yes, it is an improvement, but this is most definitely a missed opportunity for creating an eye-catching piece in the Arts district. the building should reflect his work.
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[krazeeboi]

I really dig the adaptive reuse projects I've seen coming out of Winston. It's a great way to capitalize on the city's extensive urban fabric.

[Raleigh-NC]

I agree with what krazeeboi said. Let me add that I find One Park Vista's architecture appealing. Thanks for the photos :okay:

[TwinCity]

thanks for the replies. so far, adaptive reuse makes up the majority of downtown revitalization which is good. Id much rather see this, than urban renewal eating up buildings that are 90+ years old.


Brownfields site being converted for biotechnology

JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT

Published: May 16, 2008

Wake Forest University Health Science said yesterday in a legal notice that it plans to convert 1.27 acres in downtown Winston-Salem from a brownfields property into a biotechnology research and office site.

The request filed with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources also lists BRF-A1a LLC as a participant in the project.

Bonnie Davis, a spokesman for Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said that the proposed project would reuse buildings left vacant years ago as part of a reorganization by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., including the landmark Bailey Power Plant and its signature smokestack.

BRF is listed as a real-estate holding company in an incorporation filing with the N.C. secretary of state. Managers of BRF are Richard Dean, the president emeritus of Wake Forest University Health Sciences; Doug Edgeton, the president of Piedmont Triad Research Park; and Terry Hales Jr.

The brownfields site at 415 E. Third St. was used most recently by Camel City Dry Cleaners. The request for a brownfields agreement lists soil and groundwater contamination from past activity at the site.

[krazeeboi]

Converting downtown brownfields into research and office space is innovative in every way. Columbia plans to do something similar with its downtown research park. It's good to see Winston-Salem serving as a model for the nation's urban research parks.

[DCmetroraleigh]

There is a robust rumor today that Ziggy's has signed a lease to locate downtown.

[StevenW]

Very nice stuff!

[Matthew]

A new construction LEED certifed hotel at Fifth & Main streets with a performance park? We will have to wait for a size estimate, but it could be a new high-rise on the skyline?

The half-billion-dollar, 60 acre entertainment, hotel, retail, office and research project downtown by Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Urban Strategies and architecture firm Design Collective will renovate 1.28 million square feet of space in existing historic 1920's buildings, build a new hotel with performance park at Fifth & Main streets and renovate the Bailey Power Plant. The team said their plan will transform downtown into a lively 24/7 place that is an amazing space to live, learn, work and have fun! Construction and marketing could begin this fall and the project will involve local, state and federal money/incentives. This project is connected to the proposed streetcar system, listed as a priority this month by DWSP. The streetcar design firm is working on this development also. For those of us who like the Bailey Power Plant, it will become an entertainment and retail center. The developers will talk with the community about what they would like to see, such as a grocery store, a day care, a fitness center, etc,. This is an exciting project and it appears it will happen.

[DCmetroraleigh]

Huge news for Winston.

[Raleigh-NC]

A $500,000,000 investment is simply HUGE!!! I do hope that at least one high-rise comes out of this vision ;)

[Transplant]

Any update on the Street Car?

[cityboi]

GREAT UPDATE!!

[krazeeboi]

Sounds pretty ambitious! Hope they can pull it off. :okay:

[Matthew]

The streetcars are listed in the most recent DWSP update from their meeting at the convention center on June 10. DWSP is trying to speed-up the streetcar project.

According to the reports, the developer in the half-billion-dollar potential LEED certified development development can pay for it without asking the banks for a loan. They are an internationally known developer. We know the full team from architects to a group that will help plan and seek additional money. This is the same developer and architect behind Baltimore's inner harbor revitalization and construction projects. Their developments have a 100% success rate in cities larger and smaller than Winston-Salem and their developments are the main attractions in their cities. I was surprised at the the popular developments they worked on. Most of the work will be renovations and water features, including a renovation of the Bailey Power Plant to an entertainment & retail complex, but they will add a few new structures to downtown. A hotel at Fifth and Main streets could be a new high-rise? The proposed 2,000 seat outdoor pavilion with an additional 1,000 lawn seats idea will be moved from Fourth Street to Sixth and Main streets, beside the new hotel and meeting space. With construction set for later this year, this project is moving fast. In downtown Winston-Salem this is the one area where something is always under construction. This part of downtown Winston-Salem can claim having at least one or more construction projects underway since the mid-1990's.

At WSTB, we talked about a project currently under construction, as part of this development, to daylight the Bath Waterway under this district; creating something similar to Greenville's Reedy River, complete with its own bike and walking path (river walk) from Fourth Street to Old Salem, where it connects to the existing Pedestrian Walkway System. I know of at least two or three buildings proposed, in addition to all of this, in this area. When everything is built-out, they say the 230 acre area of eastern downtown will have 10,000 jobs, along with park spaces, water features, retail and residential. This developer should accelerate the development.

[krazeeboi]

If this project experiences even a fraction of the success of Baltimore's inner harbor, this development will no doubt be a jewel in Winston-Salem's crown.

[DCmetroraleigh]

I am so stoked about the Struever Bros development. I just want them to hurry up and start some tangible construction.

[g-man430]

I'll believe it when I see it especially with today's economy.

[krazeeboi]

G-man, believe it or not, stuff is still getting built even in today's economy.

[g-man430]

G-man, believe it or not, stuff is still getting built even in today's economy.

Yeah. I see your Epicentre project in Charlotte is going really well. :ohno:

[krazeeboi]

It surely is. EpiCentre is the retail portion of the project, and businesses have already opened there with more to come. I rode by there just a few hours ago, and there was a pretty long line to get into one of the venues. At any rate, 210 Trade's woes have nothing to do with the state of the economy; it seems that you simply post articles and don't read them. Charlotte has many more projects happily speeding along than are delayed (Wachovia cultural campus, Novare development, NASCAR Hall of Fame/office tower, the Vue, Center City Green, BOA tower/Ritz Carlton, etc.).

Anyway, I think a developer with a track record that includes revitalization of Baltimore's Inner Harbor proposing something this visionary for Winston-Salem in an economic downturn must surely know what he's doing. Furthermore, this isn't a project that will occur overnight; by the time the bulk of this is built, we will probably have weathered the worst.

Or maybe you're upset because a highrise could come out of all of this? ;)

[g-man430]

210 Trade is part of the Epicentre project. Look at their website and you'll see the 210 Trade building in the renderings. No it doesn't have anything to do with the economy but it's still delayed. I can think of several other projects in Charlotte though that are delayed or on hold due to the economy. What does a highrise not being part of the plan have to do with anything?

[Matthew]

Epicenter/210 Trade is the work of a small-time shopping center/suburban apartment village developer. I remember many of the Charlotte forum members questioned the project, based on the developer's experience and they were right. He didn't have any experience building something of the size of Epicenter/210 Trade. The developers trying to build something several times larger than anything they tried before, are the developers in trouble. You will find the projects like Catalyst, by well-known and experienced developers, are still moving forward, with no problems. Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse was hired to build Winston-Salem's north downtown research campus because they are experienced and have the money and ability to complete large projects of this size in a short amount of time. They have experience working on projects of this size in several major cities, their projects are award winning and their projects are well known attractions in those cities.

As I said at SSP, this development is the north end of PTRP, a Wake Forest University led research park development, similar to ICAR, but it is downtown. They want it completed by 2014 and expect all three sections of the downtown development to have 10,000 jobs. This is one of the three sections (the north section). I'm guessing the whole project will cost over $1 billion, when complete? Parts of it in the middle section are already complete and a few parts in the middle and southern section are under construction now. It will have condos, park space, entertainment/retail and office space, but it will be developed as a downtown research park, with tenants lined-up for the space, when it is complete. The United States Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine, the North Carolina Translational NanoMed Institute, the National Center for Design Innovation and Forsyth Technical College are the newest tenants announced. Their growth will also bring other tenants to the park and Wake Forest University Health Sciences has several offices spread-out in multiple buildings, waiting on space. They want to rush this project to completion. The decision to give the Hawthorne Hill campus to the university medical center and move the research operations to the new downtown research park, will lead to more tenants moving to the park in a short amount of time. A new $220 million emergency room and three tower hospital building will force the tenants in research buildings at Hawthorne Hill to move downtown.