City of Greensboro Extends Input Period on South Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza, Delaying August Launch

The City of Greensboro will not begin the South Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza Pilot Program on Monday, August 3, as previously scheduled. City Manager Trey Davis has directed staff to extend the community input period before implementation moves forward.

All components of the pilot are on hold, including the weekend closures that were scheduled to begin Friday, August 7. South Elm Street will remain open to vehicular traffic. The City is working through vendor notifications, signage and MeetMeOnElm.com updates.

Over the past several weeks, the City has heard from downtown business owners, property owners, and residents through information sessions, direct outreach, and ongoing conversations with Downtown Greensboro, Incorporated. Views on the pilot varied, but a consistent theme emerged: the corridor wanted more time and a more direct hand in shaping how the program would work.

"A pilot is meant to test our assumptions before we commit to something permanent. What we learned before launch is that our engagement was not finished. I would rather take the time now to get this right with downtown businesses and residents than spend three months proving it the hard way. Delaying is not walking away. This is a program worth doing well." - N. Trey Davis, City Manager

The concerns that prompted the initiative have not changed. Vehicle noise, cruising, pedestrian safety, and the need for stronger foot traffic to support downtown businesses remain priorities for the City and for downtown stakeholders, and a more walkable city center remains a commitment.

Downtown is open and active this weekend and beyond. Restaurants, shops, and venues along South Elm Street are operating normal hours, parking access is unchanged, and the City encourages residents and visitors from across the region to continue supporting downtown businesses.

In the meantime, the City and its Partners want to continue to hear from the community. Comments submitted at MeetMeOnElm.com will be reviewed and incorporated into the revised approach, and City staff will meet directly with corridor businesses, property owners and residents over the coming weeks. City staff will also work with Downtown Greensboro Incorporated, the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce to develop a revised engagement schedule, which the City expects to outline in early September. An updated implementation timeline will follow.

Business owners, property owners, and residents who want to share input can do so at MeetMeOnElm.com or by contacting [email protected].

The City thanks the staff across nearly a dozen departments who developed the operational plan for the pilot. That work will carry forward into the revised design of the program.