Representatives of the city of Greensboro met with the owners of the Coliseum Inn last week to discuss buying the High Point Road property. Last night the city council met in closed session to discuss the possibility of buying the Coliseum Inn, along with the old Canada Dry plant, owned by Susan S. Robinson. City Manager Mitchell Johnson described the discussions as being "relative to High Point Road corridor improvements and economic development.
Other topics for discussion during the closed meeting included three lawsuits related to the ongoing Greensboro police controversy following the departure of former Chief David Wray. The plaintiffs in the three separate lawsuits against the city are Lt. James Hinson, Officer Julius Fulmore and Nicole Pettiford.
6 comments:
Wonder what the City would do with the Coliseum Inn, and what would happen to all the homeless people who live there if it stops being a place to live? We just visited Coliseum Inn this past Saturday when we were doing street outreach, and on one of my photos, I commented about all the homeless people who live there and how much we love to go and see them. So, do you have any news on what would happen to the property (and its residents) if the City buys it?
Michele, I was going to call you to get a comment on how the closing of the Coliseum Inn would affect poor residents of Greensboro, especially those on the verge of homelessness. I'm planning to do a full article for print, but in the meantime maybe I'll tease out some details in the blog. To answer your question, a "draft corridor concept" presented by consultant Randall Gross last November calls for the Coliseum Inn to be replaced by a one-story retail store or restaurant, with an indoor regional recreation center across the street at the Canada Dry site. I asked Mitchell Johnson today if there was a specific plan for the properties, and he responded that he was unable to discuss it.
Obviously, we can expect an immediate increase in homelessness in Greensboro if the Coliseum Inn closes with no plan in place to house its residents. And that includes homeless families with young children. I hope the City is planning ahead. But where will they put all those people? Please continue asking questions! Thanks, Jordan.
I think that's the point Cara... The powers that be probably think they can sweep the homeless under the rug if they get rid of their home.
Jordan, I did some following up today and got a prompt response. So far, so good. I'll be at the FNB dinner tomorrow night. Hope to see you.
Michele, I'll see you at St. Mary's House tomorrow. I've spent some time on the phone talking to some principals about the fate of the Coliseum Inn residents today too, and it will be good to compare notes. By the way, I found a resident to talk to today, and I managed to talk one of the owners out of throwing me off the property.
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