Economic revitalization plans for Greensboro were unveiled this week for the proposed Battleground Entertainment District.
The 2030 strategic vision plan includes several changes for the city’s southend and lower downtown gateway. The work in progress is based on feedback from community members and designed to invigorate the area. Early plans include an entertainment district and a multi-use downtown arena. Zack Matheny is a Greensboro City councilmember and president of Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. He says the Tanger Center may have attracted more than 400,000 visitors last year, but a rising tide floats all ships.
"Downtown Greensboro experienced 8.3 million visitors," he says. "So, we’ve got a lot of room to grow to give folks things to do."
Matheny says his city council colleagues support the growth of downtown. He adds that new data from the location analytics company Placer.ai showing the amount of activity taking place within the center city can be used to justify the expansion plans and to lure new businesses to the area.