Faster track for park?
As Jim Schlosser reports in today's paper, Norfolk Southern appears close to approving a plan to turn part of its downtown right-of-way into a park near the Southside community.
Given the railroad's typical aloofness in such matters, this is monumental news.
If the deal goes through as now seems likely, part of the deserted rail yard behind the Depot would be transformed from a weed-strewn blight into the new park.
Southside, which combines shops and residences in one phase, and which features restored and new single-family homes in another, already is an unqualified success.
New apartments are planned nearby. The park would complete the amazing renaissance there, which would not have happened without the involvement of city government.
Comments (6)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
This is a positive step. Hopefully it will be like Action Greensboro's proposal where the railard would part of a mile long linear park along the railroad tracks. I really like the idea of having a chain of ponds or an artifical waterway stretching a mile throughout downtown! Hopefully "Railyard Park" will be more than just green space, but a place for numerous activities. It would have been a great spot for the nearby Chris Daughtry concert. The park could have other outdoor activities and even an urban playground for children. I hope that developers of the planned park have a good imagination and also listen carefully to what Southside and downtown residents want.
Posted on March 26, 2007 8:21 AM
BTW here is a little photoshop edit I did which shows what it could look like
http://www.downtownstadium.org/2005railyardpark.jpg
Posted on March 26, 2007 8:24 AM
Yes, there are so many kids that live downtown with nowhere to play. A railroad tracks seems the perfect environment.
Sorry for the sarcasm. It is a symtom of my downtown-itis. Like malaria, acid flash backs and herpes it can flare up at a moments notice!
In general, I am glad and proud of the downtown improvements over the last say 10 years. This weekends festivities seems to have been a huge success as well. It takes folks like Tim, the Jaycees and Action Gso to get and keep things going. But sometimes enough is enough. I dont think I am there yet but "enough" is closing in quickly.
Posted on March 26, 2007 9:27 AM
David Wharton has a good take on this particular site issue at his blog A Little Urbanity.
He makes sense.
Personally, if there is enough acreage, I think it would make a great spot for a competitive pool! Wife and child along with several hundred others just spent 2.5 days in the Charlotte area (Pineville to be exact) at a meet.
Posted on March 26, 2007 4:43 PM
Thanks for the tip, Mick. I'll need to check David's views out. He is really good at assessing these kinds of issues.
Posted on March 26, 2007 5:14 PM
I read David's comments and putting a residential complex there is not a bad idea, especially if it involved more entertainment, retail and restaurants, which the Southside neighborhood lacks. The only issue would be the fact that ploping a complex there would obstruct the view of Greensboro Skyline that Southside residents paid for. I would miss seeing a clear view of Greensboro's skyline, driving along MLK, unless the complex were limited to one story and two stories at the most. The two story buildings would have to be closer to the railroad tracks to help limit the obstruction of Greensboro's skyline. But there could be enough land left over for a small park/plaza/square.
Posted on March 26, 2007 11:36 PM