Talk of a downtown ACC museum
Even though a group of boosters is pushing a plan for an ACC museum near the Greensboro Coliseum on High Point Road, at least one downtown advocate wants the structure in the city center.
This week, in an e-mail with the subject heading "ACC Museum" to members of the Greensboro City Council, local contractor Milton Kern argued there's support for a downtown tribute to the Atlantic Coast Conference.
"Everyone I have talked with want the museum downtown to add to the walking appeal of the Civil Rights, Children's and Historical Museums," wrote Kern, who's helped revitalize several buildings on South Elm Street. "Is High Point Road a 'done deal' or can downtown be in the running?
Later, Kern told Buzz he'd like to see the museum at one of two downtown sites: the Duke Power tract at East Friendly Avenue and North Church Street and the brownfield site at South Elm and Lee streets that was once considered for the minor-league baseball stadium.
In January, coliseum and business leaders unveiled plans for a $23 million museum on land occupied by the former Canada Dry warehouse. The site is owned by Susan Robinson, the wife of News & Record Editor John Robinson, and her two brothers, W. Hardy Spence and Royall Spence III.
The coliseum's advisory board has recommended that the city buy the site.
Ray Gibbs, president of the non-profit Downtown Greensboro Inc., said "I'm sure most, if not all, of the folks down here would like to see it down here" to add to the growing list of center-city museums.
He said his group hasn't been really involved in discussions about the project.
"It really has been what you've seen, kind of a grassroots effort," he said.
Comments (1)
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Have you seen the Coliseum area through the eyes of a visitor? I have. It's NOT pretty; plus businesses are leaving the area; not unlike local citizens and colisiem event.
At least downtown is coming back. An ACC Museum downtown makes sense. It creates a walking tour of downtown more exciting for visitors and locals alike. Think about spending hours downtown at the Historical Museum, Civil Rights Museum and capping the day off at the ACC Museum.
As much as I like Stamey's on High Point Road, it does not compare to the ammendities of downtown.
Posted on March 6, 2005 11:08 AM