A bird in hand ...
The tantalizing tale of the "secret project" that could change the face of downtown Greensboro is beginning a lot like the TV series "Lost" ... captivating, confounding, exciting, hopeful ... and bizarre, frustrating and vexingly mysterious.
The latest chapter, as reported Wednesday by Don Patterson, is that the project is going underground for a while -- that the steady drip,drip of details may go dry as complex issues such as land acquiistion are necessarily hammered out behind closed doors.
Inquiring minds have been advised, "Chill."
That's understandable.
Here's hoping this fantasy mystery becomes a reality series. Soon. Greensboro's psyche and economy could use that kind of major victory right now.
Meanwhile, I hope city leaders don't give short shrift to a more tangible project (one you can touch and see, with land purchased and preliminary designs completed), Murrow Station. The mixed-use development is targeted for a tract of land near the eastern edge of downtown.
It carries with it a $42 million price tag, which would be the largest downtown investment in recent memory. For context, the Center Pointe tower is a $37 million investment. The mother of all downtown developments, "The Secret Project," represents an estimated $50 million to $200 million investment. If it happens.
We have editorialized before that Murrow Station is too important to underappreciate. But maybe now wouldn't be a bad time for another reminder. Murrow Station provides more affordable housing than currently exists in the center city. More significantly, it establishes an important beachhead in the black community, which remains chronically underdeveloped.
Disconcertingly, when I asked some City Council meetings about Murrow Station, they hadn't given it a lot of thought.
And they hadn't grasped what the development, which will need city incentives, could mean to east Greensboro.
C''mon, guys.
Ideally, the "Secret Project" and Murrow Station will both succeed. Greensboro as we know it --not just downtown -- would be transformed.
Comments (4)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Perhaps councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small will leak information to the public with respect to this uber-project which is expected to give much needed new life for the downtown area.
Posted on July 5, 2007 9:51 AM
Jon, in regards to the secret project I dont even think she knows. It seems like everything is on a need to know basis like some UFO cover-up in the movies. I think only a few citycouncil members have been briefed and some city staff and the DGI group.
Allen, I must say this secret project seems to be very bizzare considering a project of this magnitude is being proposed in Greensboro...but hey...im not going to complain. I hope they build this project here. I thibk thw whole city is waiting on pins in needles. I've heard stuff about this project from people who have inside sources and I must say, they way they are describing this project to me seems totally unbelievable, but like ou said Allen, this is a strange and mysterious project. Ive heard the effect of this project can be so great, it could put Greensboro and the Triad on the track to becoming the "leading metro in the state" again as it was decades ago when Textiles and tobbaco was king across the south. I think people need to just wait and let the process take its course. The name of this developer has even been mentioned. I believe that when we do finally find out all the details, we are just going to be baffled and shocked.
Posted on July 5, 2007 1:03 PM
Tim:
What's your take on Murrow Station?
Posted on July 5, 2007 1:07 PM
I think its a great project and I hope the city will take the Murrow Station seriously and support this project. This project can start a chain reaction in east Greensboro in my opinion and can compliment other successes such as the Dudley Center with Tuscana Cuisine restaurant. For some reason when it comes to east Greensboro, the city doesnt seems to be gungho about development. Dont get me wrong, Its great the city has supported the streetscape improvements along East Market Street but there is a feeling among some in the city that developments such as Murrow Station can succeed. I believe it will. I think if we can land the secret mega project, we can do anything.
Posted on July 5, 2007 2:45 PM