WINSTON-SALEM | Development Guide

[smain]

Razoo's Canjun Cafe in Hanes Village Shopping Center has closed. That's two failed restaurants that didn't last but a couple of years in that building. Originally Hickory Tavern.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

The Winston-Salem Chronicle blasts City for failing to land major new employers in wake of a declining big corporate footprint

Winston-Salem’s historical significance as a corporate hub is fading. Once the largest city in North Carolina, home to mega-companies like Piedmont Airlines, it now struggles with a lack of vision and leadership. The city’s social capital is at its weakest, with ordinary residents and small business owners losing trust in community leaders. Progress, after all, moves at the speed of trust.

During Mayor Allen Joines’ tenure, which began in 2001, Winston-Salem has faced these challenges. While Mayor Joines has made efforts to revitalize the city, the departure of significant corporations and the resulting economic impact have overshadowed these initiatives. His leadership, though proactive in certain aspects, has struggled to counterbalance the loss of major corporate headquarters, highlighting a need for renewed strategies and innovative solutions to restore the city’s economic strength.

The departure of major corporations has led to significant job losses. For example, the relocation of BB&T to Charlotte resulted in the loss of hundreds of high-paying jobs in Winston-Salem.

The exodus of these companies has reduced the local tax base, with an estimated loss of millions of dollars in annual tax revenue. Nonprofits in the area have reported decreased donations and volunteer participation from corporate employees, impacting their ability to serve the community.

Winston-Salem needs a focused strategy to attract large corporate headquarters. This involves offering competitive incentives, improving infrastructure, and showcasing the city’s unique advantages. Community leaders need to establish a single dedicated organization to spearhead corporate recruitment. Entrusting the role to a sprawling organization such as Greater Winston-Salem, Inc is misguided.

https://wschronicle.com/the-decline-...evitalization/

[smain]

Just ran across a Facebook post by Eric Weyer at Hoots. He was sharing an image of the new live music space/venue that was formerly the brewing facility. It looks really nice! Eric is a musician in the post hardcore band Codeseven. I expect this space will be great to catch up and coming touring bands and local bands. Knowing some of his friends and their music taste I expect a great variety of music.

Edit to original post. Just discovered they're hosting a touring comedian tonight. Even more interesting!

[DCMetroRaleigh]

From LivinginWinstonSalem

[DCMetroRaleigh]

Proposed Kernersville development at Union Cross. From Sandra Iselin:

[Matthew]

Projects & Construction:
I want to thank the photographers and local businesses, sharing updates on projects, who make this thread possible. Without you, these updates won't happen. I don't make any money from this and these updates are to share, with both locals and out-of-towners, what is happening in the city they love. Many people reading this are far-away and this allows them to see the projects. If you can, please support any local businesses or follow social pages sharing photographs and thank them.

This week, we have a nice mix of new jobs, new projects, and even a few projects we haven't heard anything on in a while. Lets get updated!

• Video Link

4th and Green Apartments & Retail:

Looking-out at the crane for 4th and Green Apartments:

Credit: Katherine Hash

Fogle Commons / IQ Infrastructure:

An aerial view of the expansion of Winston-Salem's Innovation District:

Credit: Ace Avant

New Jobs:
Three, state code-named projects (projects seeking state incentives in addition to local incentives) are looking at the area. It's too early to know who they are or what industries. All three combined would invest $170 million, if they locate here.

Carolina University New Campus:
A look at the new campus buildings, water features, and where dormitories and sports facilities will be constructed.

• Video Link

Patterson Avenue Substation:
This is the Duke Energy substation proposal for 1312 North Patterson Avenue (the former 1950s Kroger & Amoco site, before their demolition for this project). The faux brick material is called The Aphrodite and I think it's bullet proof? This substation is needed for the growth experienced around the downtown area. It's something that has to be built and it must go somewhere. At least they are trying to hide it.


Credit: Duke Energy

African-American History Museum:


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs

Life Science News:
Wake Forest University has received $45 million to study the connection between cardiovascular disease and brain health.

East Tower:


Credit: SPC Mechanical Corp


Credit: SPC Mechanical Corp


Credit: SPC Mechanical Corp


Credit: SPC Mechanical Corp

Salem Gymnastics Expansion:
Salem Gymnastics is expanding with a new gymnastics facility and new office space. It will be a metal warehouse-looking building, very similar to the existing building on their campus. Frank L. Blum Construction will be the general contractor for this project.

STITCH Design Shop Headquarters:


Credit: winston_360


Credit: winston_360

New Tenants/Leases:
Caviste Wine Bar & Store will open at 414 Brookstown Avenue. LMI Builders is the general contractor for the upfit.

Kingdom of K-Pop & More has signed a lease at Village Square. The store will have books, music, and offer baked goods.

Cool Pavement:
This is being explored as a way to lower temperatures in the city. It has many benefits, but WOW look at the drop in temperature.


Credit: City of Winston-Salem

Augsburg Lutheran Church Renovation:


Credit: AugsburgLutheranWinstonSalem


Credit: AugsburgLutheranWinstonSalem

1802 Distillery Restoration:
Money is being raised to renovate one of the oldest distilleries in the United States, at 222 years old. Yes, the 1802 Distillery at Winston-Salem's Bethabara Park. They want to renovate it into a museum. Just the roof alone is expected to cost $85,000. It should be interesting to see the finished museum.


Credit: WXujD5HaX7U

Whitaker Park Mixed-use Project:
Purple Crow expects to move into their Whitaker Park Building by January 31, 2025.

Maple Chase Golf and Country Club Renovation:

• Video Link

Regenerative Medicine News:
Plakous Therapeutics, headquartered in Winston-Salem, received a $3 million grant from the NIH.

Interstate 74:

Interstate 74 at Interstate 40:

Credit: Webber, LLC

Hoots Live Music Venue:
Eric Weyer said, "the transformation from brewery to venue is almost complete! I could not be more excited with what the future holds for Hoots Beer Co. and I sure hope you are too!"


Credit: Eric Weyer

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Alternative Transportation:

Amtrak at Union Station:
Thank you to all of the rail supporters who showed-up for the drop-in public meeting. 81 people showed-up at Union Station. When the public comment period closes, they expect to have 400 public comments and 1,000 interactions on their map of projects. For those who want to know: Amtrak at Union Station was the most popular project by far! The Interstate 285 upgrade of U.S. 52 (next to downtown/Innovation Quarter) also had strong support! Thanks to your feedback, they will assign points to the rail transportation regional impact projects. Public support was so impressive it couldn't be ignored. This is the type of continued support we need, if we want rail to return.

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Off-Subject:

#1 Fried Chicken Restaurant in North Carolina:
Yelp has rated Slappy's Chicken the #1 place to eat fried chicken in North Carolina. Slappy's made their list of the 43 best chicken restaurants in the nation! I'm not sure where they rank on that national list?

Your City

[SpikedCoffee]

RE Patterson Ave substation, if that rendering is correct, isn't that the same lot that was going to be a food truck lot? NW and Patterson 1300 block?

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by SpikedCoffee

RE Patterson Ave substation, if that rendering is correct, isn't that the same lot that was going to be a food truck lot? NW and Patterson 1300 block?

The two proposed developments are across the street from each other. When completed, visitors at the food trucks will see the substation's faux brick wall (in the rendering) when they look north, across Northwest Boulevard.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

The former L.A. Reynolds Garden Showcase site in western Forsyth County will feature 102 single-family residential lots in what will be known as Reynolds Crossing, the developer confirmed Wednesday.

Charlotte-based Lennar Carolinas LLC paid $2.53 million for lots 1-11 and 70-80 at the 4400 Styers Ferry Road property in May, according to a Forsyth County Register of Deeds filing.

https://journalnow.com/news/local/bu...ome-the-latest

[Matthew]

Projects & Construction:
I want to thank the photographers and local businesses, sharing updates on projects, who make this thread possible. Without you, these updates won't happen. I don't make any money from this and these updates are to share, with both locals and out-of-towners, what is happening in the city they love. Many people reading this are far-away and this allows them to see the projects. If you can, please support any local businesses or follow social pages sharing photographs and thank them.

Better late than never! Some weeks, it's difficult to find construction photographs and this is one of them.

• Video Link

Economic Development:
Winston-Salem's economic development team is currently in talks with 13 life science companies, 3 aerospace/aviation companies, and a corporate headquarters about moving here.

Cloverdale Surgery Center:

A few weeks old, but new to us:

Credit: NJR-Construction-LLC


Credit: NJR-Construction-LLC


Credit: NJR-Construction-LLC


Credit: NJR-Construction-LLC

Bailey Power Plant Tenants:
Workers upfitting the Dutch Light space had a construction accident that led to severe water damage at SixHundred°, in the space below. As a result, SixHundred° won't reopen until next week.

Theatre Alliance:
The Theatre Alliance is constructing an outdoor stage with control booth for the director. Outdoor performances in downtown Winston-Salem sound exciting!

The Haven at Wake Apartments:
According to the developer: Countertops have been installed and their spacious kitchens come equipped with stainless steel appliances and plenty of storage for your cooking essentials. Hard hat tours are available, if you schedule at: (336) 312-8047


Credit: The Haven at Wake


Credit: The Haven at Wake

New Tenants/Leases:
Greek Glow Tans will open at 709 North Trade Street. The business will specialize in spray tans.

Wake Forest University Crew Building:
The Wake Forest University Crew Team has hired Frank L. Blum Construction to build a 1,820-square-foot boat storage structure on Salem Lake. It's a $237,633 project.

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Alternative Transportation:

Salem Parkway Bike & Pedestrian Path:


Credit: QhWS_KUIqRw

AeroX Innovation Hub:
Plans are taking shape to prepare 64 acres of land around the airport for development. This includes preparing three potential development sites next to the main runway for eVTOL development. We could know more when the largest of these sites is rezoned, since much of that site is zoned for residential.


Credit: Greater Winston-Salem

These are plans for the area labeled as Site 2:

Credit: Greater Winston-Salem

New Hangars:
Plans for a new hangar (for MRO), with a budget of $14.9 million. Workers must first finish the ramp and start permitting. Each plane in an MRO hangar requires 75 new jobs.


Credit: Greater Winston-Salem

Smith Reynolds Airport Restoration:
Work at the airport never seems to stop! To keep the airport certified for commercial passenger service, workers will now have to move the fuel farm. Taxiway A is scheduled for completion next month. And, for those who want to know, work on this terminal is scheduled for completion in February 2025. The County is already preparing for a massive grand opening celebration.

The Savoia-Marchetti S.56 aircraft planned for display in the lobby:

Credit: Greater Winston-Salem

New Renderings:

Credit: Greater Winston-Salem


Credit: Greater Winston-Salem

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Off-Subject:

Chamber of the Year:
Winston-Salem's economic development organization, Greater Winston-Salem Inc., was just named the 2024 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). WOW!

Best Mid-size Companies of 2024:
Two Winston-Salem MSA companies made the list of Best Mid-size Companies of 2024. The Winston-Salem MSA's Old Dominion Freight Line was 15th and the highest ranking of the 14 North Carolina companies on the list. HanesBrands also made the list, as they prepare to move into their new downtown Winston-Salem headquarters. Did you know: Old Dominion is not only the largest publicly traded company in metro Winston-Salem... they are also the largest publicly traded company in the Triad!

Your City

[DCMetroRaleigh]

I just want to acknowledge this W-S thread has just attained the milestone of having over 1,000,000 million views! Much thanks and accolades to Matthew who is the OG who has faithfully kept this thread alive and now thriving.

[yadkin]

Kowabunga Buffalo Bob.

Hats off to Matthew!

[DCMetroRaleigh]

From July 29 through August 3, downtown Winston-Salem will be the site of the NC Black Repertory Company's 2024 International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF). WS Police say that a large area of downtown, specifically the Twin City Quarter, is expected to see a higher amount of both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

No public parking will be available along North Cherry Street between 4th and 6th Streets. This change allows for bus transportation pick-up and drop-off. The no parking zones will be visibly blocked off by WSDOT. Any unauthorized vehicles found parked in this segment of Cherry Street will be towed away.

https://abc45.com/news/local/downtow...atre-festival#

[B-V-R]

Originally Posted by DCMetroRaleigh

The Winston-Salem Chronicle blasts City for failing to land major new employers in wake of a declining big corporate footprint




https://wschronicle.com/the-decline-...evitalization/

Algenon Cash. Guy just published the same article in a second journal and is blasting it all over social media. He posts in mindless platitudes with no substance and loves to talk about how Greensboro is doing so great with zero data behind it. He comes across as a serial self promoter.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

Lofts at Whitaker Park


https://www.instagram.com/p/C924dUxR...c3l4eDdwbXUzeA

[zalo]

Originally Posted by B-V-R

Algenon Cash. Guy just published the same article in a second journal and is blasting it all over social media. He posts in mindless platitudes with no substance and loves to talk about how Greensboro is doing so great with zero data behind it. He comes across as a serial self promoter.

Your assessment of Mr. Cash is spot on. He's like so many others in that they bash current operations without providing any highly defined specifics on how they would do things differently. What he does suggest is items that anyone off the street could offer and I dare say GWS Inc is already doing. He's been around here for around 20/25 years, if he's been so concerned what types of moves has he made in order to get ...When he established his investment banking firm Wharton Gladden, he did so in Greensboro. And this during a time when financial services were very prominent in Winston, with the HQ of BB&T, at the time, a top 12 bank in the country; as well as the Carolinas Division HQ of Wells Fargo. It would certainly make sense to place your fin. svrs. company in the Triad city that encompassed a very compatible business environment. His past business actions show 0 investment in the Twin City, so I find it a little ridiculous for him to bemoan the lack of corporate business investment in Winston when he chose not to himself when he had the opportunity, and there's no reason why couldn't relocate his business here at any time.

[yadkin]

From Cash’s article “ Prominent companies such as RJ Reynolds, Krispy Kreme, Wachovia, BB&T, and Primo Water, have all relocated, leaving a void in the city’s economic and social fabric.” Well, there’s no denying this, and on the WSTB’s defunct forum, I asked why to this phenomenon, and I still don’t know why. I really don’t blame those in charge as it seems beyond their control. I can only repeat that W-S is snake-bit corporately.

In my opinion, Hanes selling Champion is insane, but then I’m no business person. And while, Hanes relocating headquarters downtown is on the surface nice, I think after releasing Champion Hanes is but a shadow of its former self.

So, what can done to recover from all of these corporate moves - it seems too much?

[B-V-R]

Originally Posted by yadkin

From Cash’s article “ Prominent companies such as RJ Reynolds, Krispy Kreme, Wachovia, BB&T, and Primo Water, have all relocated, leaving a void in the city’s economic and social fabric.” Well, there’s no denying this, and on the WSTB’s defunct forum, I asked why to this phenomenon, and I still don’t know why. I really don’t blame those in charge as it seems beyond their control. I can only repeat that W-S is snake-bit corporately.

In my opinion, Hanes selling Champion is insane, but then I’m no business person. And while, Hanes relocating headquarters downtown is on the surface nice, I think after releasing Champion Hanes is but a shadow of its former self.

So, what can done to recover from all of these corporate moves - it seems too much?

There is a constructive conversation to be had around the corporate relocations. It's helpful to have large corporate HQ's as they generally contribute to the community in ways beyond just jobs. I simply feel the way Mr. Cash goes about it is counter-productive. It's simply not true that Greensboro is outperforming Winston. In reality both cities have suffered corporate HQ losses. I don't think it's a function of leadership, at least not current leadership, who I think have done a good job at doing their part in reinvigorating parts of the city, in particular the urban core.

As it relates to W-S and GSO economic performance, according to Census data, the Greensboro MSA has a 3-year population growth from 2020 - 2023 of 1.92%. Winston's was 2.73%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Greensboro has had 1-year, 5-year and 10-year job growth of 1.5%, 1.6% and 6.3% respectively, while Winston has 2.8%, 5.2% and 12.5%.

It doesn't seem like either city is blowing the doors off, but he makes it sound like Winston is being left in the dust. I'm not sure what the solution to enticing corporate HQ's is. We are always going to be challenged by our location near Charlotte and Raleigh. Not to sound too "bucolic", but I don't want growth like that anyway. I really feel like we are operating in a good spot where the growth we are having is manageable. Would I like to get a high profile corporate HQ relocation? Sure that would be great, but I don't think it's neccesary to have a vibrant city.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

I think somehow Forsyth County has got to find a way to lure big corporate fish like Toyota, Marshall Aerospace, Wolfspeed, and Nucor Corp. Of course, not having the big regional airport in Forsyth greatly disadvantages the county in landing major aeronautic/aerospace companies, but perhaps we can lure some ancillary aerospace companies that don’t necessarily need to be onsite of the airport. I don’t think we have the available land for a true megasite, but we to assemble the biggest site possible in eastern Forsyth.

[Matthew]

Projects & Construction:
I want to thank the photographers and local businesses, sharing updates on projects, who make this thread possible. Without you, these updates won't happen. I don't make any money from this and these updates are to share, with both locals and out-of-towners, what is happening in the city they love. Many people reading this are far-away and this allows them to see the projects. If you can, please support any local businesses or follow social pages sharing photographs and thank them.

Yes, this is the best city for young professionals in the Carolinas, according to Forbes!

• Video Link

New Tenants/Leases:

HanesBrands' lease, downtown, starts January 1, 2025. It's a 25 year lease for 122,670-square-feet on the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th floors of the former Park Building (101 North Cherry Street). HanesBrands has a right-of-first-refusal to buy the building and a right-of-first-refusal to lease any office space that becomes available in the building, as other leases expire. For those who want to know: The building has 224,900-square-feet of space and HanesBrands leased roughly 55% of the space.

Work is nearing completion on the renovation of the former Ronnie's location.

Credit: winston_360

Regenerative Medicine News:

• Video Link

Bailey Power Plant Tenants:

An update on The Dutch Light:

Credit: designwithfriend


Credit: designwithfriend


Credit: designwithfriend

Chatham Building Apartments, Hotel, & Retail:

The chute was removed and the window returned:

Credit: Brother's Pizza

The Haven at Wake Apartments:
"Stairs are being constructed for the townhome entrances, paint is being finished up on the exteriors, and landscaping is getting placed."


Credit: The Haven at Wake


Credit: The Haven at Wake


Credit: The Haven at Wake

Interstate 74:

The Interstate 74 at Interstate 40 Interchange:

Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs


Credit: Dale Briggs

East Fifteenth Street Water Tower Art:

• Video Link

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Off-Subject:

Best Places for Young Professionals:
Forbes ranked Winston-Salem the 20th best place for young professionals. Winston-Salem was the top city in North Carolina.

20. Winston-Salem
23. Durham/Chapel Hill
34. Raleigh/Cary
61. Charlotte
65. Greensboro

Your City