Union Square (Greensboro)

Union Square at South Elm in Greensboro, North Carolina is a 7-acre project that includes Union Square Campus, a planned health care and nursing campus to be used by Cone Health and three colleges in the city, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Guilford Technical Community College. A 3-story building had its groundbreaking April 7, 2015. The building opened August 5, 2016.

History

Elon University opened its law school in downtown Greensboro in 2006, and the school added more land for expansion in 2011. This led to the idea of a second downtown campus that would be shared by all the area colleges. Opportunity Greensboro included representatives of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Bennett College, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College, and the Elon law school. The organization studied a similar concept in Spokane, Washington.[1]

In August 2013, Opportunity Greensboro, part of Action Greensboro, was considering four locations for a "Downtown University Campus" to be used by the five four-year colleges and universities plus Elon and GTCC. One site was on West Market Street and included part of Greensboro College, one was a county-owned site south of NewBridge Bank Park, and one was on East Lee Street in what was called the South Elm Redevelopment Project. A fourth location was known to Opportunity Greensboro co-chairman Ed Kitchen, but he declined to give details.[2]

On November 19, 2013, Opportunity Greensboro announced a site. The 2.1 acres southeast of the intersection of Elm and Lee Streets would have enough room for a 105,000-square-foot building and parking for health care programs, plus room to expand the campus to include other programs. The campus was expected to lead to other development in the area, and 6 acres of land were available next to the site.[3] Bob Chapman of South Elm Development Group said estimated total investment would be $100 million, including a 93,000-square-foot mixed-use building, two parking decks, two apartment buildings, and a hotel.[4]

On January 14, 2014, the name Union Square Campus was announced. The name "Union" was already used for the neighborhood. Union Street was nearby, and Union Cemetery was created by three area churches. A four-story building was planned by Fall 2016.[5] In April 2014 The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro pledged $4 million toward the nearly $40 million cost of the 103,000-square-foot building. The Cemala Foundation also pledged $1.5 million. Greensboro City Council indicated the city would add $500,000, plus 2 acres and 250 parking spaces.[6]

Union Square Campus construction was expected to start in March or April 2015. A new section of the Downtown Greenway was to start in May 2015.[7]

On September 30, 2014, Bob Isner of South Elm Development Group said the economic benefit for the area could total $500 million.[8]

With Guilford County and GTCC contributing less than hoped, the first phase of the project was changed from a four-story building at Elm and Lee Streets to a three-story building at Arlington and Lee Streets. The more prestigious intersection could then have a higher profile project.[9]

Groundbreaking for the Union Square Campus took place April 7, 2015.[10] Lee Street was renamed Gate City Boulevard July 1, 2015.[11]

Union Square opened August 5, 2016.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Jonnelle (January 10, 2012). "Center city may get 2nd campus". Greensboro News & Record.
  2. ↑ Newsom, John (August 30, 2013). "Shared campus looks for property". Greensboro News & Record.
  3. ↑ "Elm, Lee site for Downtown University Campus allows for growth". Greensboro News & Record. November 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ Carlock, Catherine (November 19, 2013). "Campus to spur $100M in development at South Elm/Lee streets". Triad Business Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ Newsom, John (January 15, 2014). "Proposed downtown campus now has a name". Greensboro News & Record.
  6. ↑ Newsom, John (April 10, 2014). "Downtown campus gets $5.5 million in pledges". Greensboro News & Record.
  7. ↑ DeCwikiel-Kane, Dawn (September 27, 2014). "Meeting will update S. Elm-Lee St. plans". Greensboro News & Record.
  8. ↑ Carlock, Catherine (September 30, 2014). "Impact of Union Square at South Elm in downtown Greensboro could reach $500M". Triad Business Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ Lehmer, Amanda (November 22, 2014). "Organizers scale back Union Square Campus". Greensboro News & Record.
  10. ↑ Zachary, Kristin (April 7, 2015). "Union Square groundbreaking kicks off construction". Triad Business Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  11. ↑ Gamm, Joe (May 21, 2016). "State to change highway signs to reflect Gate City Boulevard name change". Greensboro News & Record.
  12. ↑ Newsom, John (August 5, 2016). "A center for nursing: Union Square Campus opens". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
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