Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Downtown Greensboro Inc. is inviting the public to a few workshops to get the public's reaction and suggestions for a 2030 downtown plan. One of the ideas in the plan was a little shocking.
"Build a multi-use arena: It would be designed to showcase music, sports, conferences and more. The arena "will build on the momentum in the Ballpark neighborhood, bringing thousands of visitors to downtown each year."
The questions I'd have where would an arena be built near the ballpark? How big would it be? Also how would this affect the Greensboro Coliseum Complex? Who will pay for it?
I know many cities have multiple arenas. If it were to come to fruition, it would likely be a small arena between 5,000 and 10,000 seating capacity. Certainly nothing the size of the Greensboro Coliseum arena. I guess a small arena could be built on the Greensboro Merchants Association property on the southeast corner of Eugene and Bellemeade Streets diagonally across from the ballpark. A portion of Sternberger Place would likely have to be closed to make way for it and it would be across the street from Carroll South of the Ballpark/Aloft to the west and Carroll at Bellemeade/Hyatt Place to the north. The site is also 2 blocks west of the performing arts center. It could also bring hockey back to Greensboro and the NBA G League Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte Hornets affiliate, could relocate there. Parking would not be an issue with two city parking decks within a block.
I love the idea of a downtown arena, particularly near the ballpark, but some questions need to be answered first.
As for transit connecting the colleges and neighborhoods to downtown, self driving shuttles sounds interesting. In some ways more interesting than streetcars.
Greensboro doesn't need another arena. If some multi-millionaire wants to come in an pay for the arena and land downtown with his own money, then ok. Not one cent of taxpayer money should be used.
Greensboro doesn't need another arena. If some multi-millionaire wants to come in an pay for the arena and land downtown with his own money, then ok. Not one cent of taxpayer money should be used.
Greensboro Coliseum was built in 1959. Was expanded and renovated in 1993 to its current capacity.
Wasnt this for the 2030 plan? Have to wonder how much money will be sunk into an old facility. Most arenas dont get past 30 years without major renovation or replacement. It will be 30 years since its last major overhaul in 2023.
Greensboro doesn't need another arena. If some multi-millionaire wants to come in an pay for the arena and land downtown with his own money, then ok. Not one cent of taxpayer money should be used.
A smaller downtown arena fills a niche and can land events where the 23,500 seat Coliseum arena is too big and the Fieldhouse is too small. Many cities have multiple civic arenas. One example is the Women's ACC Basketball Tournament where attendance is sparse and makes the main arena at the Coliseum look empty. That tournament could be hosted at a smaller downtown arena around 8,000 seats.
Greensboro Coliseum was built in 1959. Was expanded and renovated in 1993 to its current capacity.
Wasnt this for the 2030 plan? Have to wonder how much money will be sunk into an old facility. Most arenas dont get past 30 years without major renovation or replacement. It will be 30 years since its last major overhaul in 2023.
Yeah, but this wouldn’t be replacing the Coliseum. But given its age, I wonder if it wouldn’t be time to think about using money towards that instead.
Yeah, but this wouldn’t be replacing the Coliseum. But given its age, I wonder if it wouldn’t be time to think about using money towards that instead.
Exactly. Why wouldnt Greensboro be looking at locating a replacement coliseum in its downtown in say 10 years? Charlotte finally got it right, why not Greensboro?
Exactly. Why wouldnt Greensboro be looking at locating a replacement coliseum in its downtown in say 10 years? Charlotte finally got it right, why not Greensboro?
Charlotte had an anchor tenant though, which helped mitigate the hundreds of millions spent.
Charlotte had an anchor tenant though, which helped mitigate the hundreds of millions spent.
True enough, but since it could be a replacement, you would still have the same market, just a new venue in an improved location. Conference tournaments, concerts, Pre-season NBA and NHL, UNCG, Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, WWE, etc...
That's why they have the Coliseum. Its more than a one trick pony.
I think a smaller downtown arena would serve a niche market. This city has invested millions into the Greensboro Coliseum Complex and continues to do so. If the city had to do it all over, they should have invested in a downtown arena in the 1980s before the major expansion and upgrade. Downtown is where the Coliseum should have been built in the first place and the initial plan in the 1940s was to do just that. But nearby residents were against it being downtown. So plan B was to build it 2 miles west on Lee Street (Gate City Blvd)
The Greenville bypass (which will include bypassing Winterville and Ayden) will open Thursday. This has been the number 1 priority in Greenville for over 20 years and will alleviate traffic on Memorial Drive...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
