City Invites Community to August 10 Stakeholder Meeting on South Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza Pilot

The City of Greensboro is inviting downtown business owners, property owners, residents, and community stakeholders to attend a public meeting on Monday, August 10, to discuss the proposed South Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza pilot program.

The meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6 pm at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. February One Place.

Originally planned as a follow-up after the pilot's first weekend, the meeting will now provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share ideas, ask questions, and provide feedback following the City's decision to postpone the program's launch.

The City delayed implementation after hearing requests from downtown stakeholders for additional time to discuss the pilot and help shape its design. City leaders determined that expanding community engagement before launching the initiative will help create a stronger program that better reflects the needs of downtown.

"We've heard our stakeholders, and we want them to know we're listening," said City Manager Trey Davis. "Our goal is to create a pilot program that supports downtown businesses, enhances the visitor experience, and reflects the ideas and concerns of the people who know downtown best. Taking additional time to engage with the community is always the right approach."

The proposed South Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza would temporarily transform the 200 block of Elm Street into a pedestrian-focused public space featuring outdoor seating, public art, live music, games, fitness classes, and other community activities. Certain adjacent blocks would be closed to vehicle traffic on weekends only, from 5 pm Friday through 5 pm Sunday, creating a more vibrant, walkable downtown while supporting local businesses and attracting residents and visitors.

For more specifics about the proposed pilot, visit MeetMeOnElm.com.

The City will continue gathering stakeholder feedback before announcing a new launch date.