National Folk Festival Adds Six Artists to Lineup; 29 Performers Announced to Date

Free Festival runs in downtown

Greensboro from Sept. 9 – 11, 2016

Greensboro, N.C., June 30, 2016 — Today the National Folk Festival announced six additional artists who will perform in downtown Greensboro from Sept.9 – 11, 2016. The 76^th National Folk Festival in 2016 marks the event’s second year of its three-year residency in Greensboro.

Last fall, the 75^th National Folk Festival attracted more than 102,000 attendees to downtown Greensboro for the FREE, three-day weekend. Based on survey data, organizers expect attendance to grow substantially in 2016—by as much as 30% or more.

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 30 different musical groups performing on as many as seven outdoor performance venues throughout downtown Greensboro. The four artists announced today are:

·      Alberti Flea Circus – Flea Circus: Third-generation flea circus impresario Jim Alberti and his talented troupe of charismatic performers have been entertaining audiences with their astonishing acrobatic feats for nearly 30 years. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Alberti Flea Circus was brought to the United States in the 1880s by Jim’s great-great uncle, but the tradition is much older, first documented in 16^th-century Europe. Jim delights in introducing this age-old art to new generations of children, who cheer for the fleas, help with their props, and even provide musical cues for their incredible feats.

·      Bouncing Bulldogs – Precision Jump Rope: Be inspired by the boundless creativity and intense athleticism of North Carolina’s own Bouncing Bulldogs, who have been crowned the top international jump rope team for the past five consecutive years at the World Jump Rope Championships! Founded by Coach Ray Fredrick in 1986 and based in Chapel Hill and Durham, the Bouncing Bulldogs field a competitive team of 140 girls and boy ages 7-19, with 200 other jumpers ages 4 and older participating in a club program. Fresh off defending their title at the 2016 World Championships in Portugal in July, 15 jumpers will perform at the National Folk Festival, amazing audiences with their skills in Double Dutch, speed jumping, and freestyle.

·      Chico Simões – Brazilian Mamulengo: “I don’t speak Portuguese, I don’t speak English; I speak puppet,” says mamulengueiro Chico Simões, who began studying this Brazilian puppet tradition in 1981. Since founding his own puppet theater in 1985, Simões has become an international ambassador for this Brazilian tradition, which has connections to the English Punch and Judy shows, the Italian pulcinella, and the French guignol—all rooted in the Italian 16^th-century commedia dell’arte. Simões has performed thousands of puppet plays around the world, from street corners to prestigious puppetry festivals, using his performances—many featuring trickster Benedito the Vaquiero, a cowboy, who bests a series of mythological and human opponents—to “hold up a mirror to the public.” His raucous performances delight children and adults alike.

·      Dancing On Air Crew – B-boying: Gravity-defying head spins, twirling windmills, and rapid-fire footwork are hallmarks of breaking, an urban dance style that—along with graffiti, MC-ing, and DJ-ing—is the expressive core of hip-hop culture. Dancers are called breakers, b-boys, or b-girls, and they prefer the terms “breaking” or “b-boying” to “breakdancing.” The members of the Dancing On Air Crew (DOA) live in Charleston, S.C., where they have been friends since middle school. Inspired by popular movies and the moves of older b-boys, they formed DOA in 2010. DOA’s current roster of eight b-boys, ages 17-26, travels to competitions around the Southeast and beyond, dazzling crowds, sharing a message of “hope, perseverance, and teamwork,” and inspiring the next generation of b-boys and b-girls.

·      Joe Bruchac – Abenaki Storytelling: With a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Joe Bruchac is an award-winning author of more than 120 fictional and non-fictional works, most featuring Native American protagonists, history, and values. Descended on his mother’s side from the Abenaki, an Algonquian-speaking Native people living in New England and Eastern Canada, Bruchac has dedicated himself to partnering with Native elders to collect stories from Abenaki and other Native cultures. “When a good story is told, it goes into a person’s heart, and it remains there,” Bruchac says. His stories inspire audiences to appreciate and protect the earth and all who dwell upon it.

·      Mangum & Company – Gospel Brass “Shout Band”: The United House of Prayer for All People congregations take to heart these words from Psalm 150:3-6: “Praise him with the sound of the trumpet…Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Mangum & Company, a group of outstanding musicians representing many United House of Prayer congregations from Charlotte, N.C., brings the unique African American sacred “shout band” tradition to the National Folk Festival. Charlotte-based shout trombonist Cedric Mangum joined his congregation’s band at age 7, learning to play all the shout instruments before becoming lead trombonist of the Charlotte Mother House’s legendary Bailey Clouds of Heaven at age 13, a position he continues to hold today at age 55. “Our music feeds the soul,” Mangum says. “…That’s what draws the people.”

  

These outstanding artists join the following performers, who have already been announced:

·      The Alt – Irih

·      Bahamas Junkanoo Revue ­– Bahamian Parade

·      Balsam Range – Bluegrass

·      Bill Kirchen  – Master of the Telecaster

·      Chaksam-pa – Tibetan Opera, Folk Song, and Dance

·      The Chankas of Peru – Andean Danza de las Tijeras (Scissors Dance):

·      Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band – Reggae

·      DJ Grandmaster Flash – Hip Hop

·      Grupo Rebolú – Afro-Colombian

·      Hula Halau ‘O Lilinoe – Hawai’ian Hula

·      Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys – Zydeco

·      The Jerry Grcevich Tamburitza Orchestra – Tamburitza

·      Joshua Nelson ­­– Kosher Gospel

·      Leonardo Sandoval – Tap

·      Le Vent du Nord – Québécois

·      Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano – Mariachi

·      Paperhand Puppet Intervention – Giant Puppet Pageants and Parades

·      Nathalie Pires – Portuguese Fado

·      The Quebe Sisters – Texas Fiddling & Western Swing

·      Sahba Motallebi – Persian Tar

·      Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga – East African Rumba, Soukous, and Benga

·      Super Chikan & the Fighting Cocks – Delta Blues

·      Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band ­– New Orleans Jazz

To learn more about all these artists, their traditions, and their stories, please visit nationalfolkfestival.com/performers. Throughout the summer, the National Folk Festival will feature individual artists on its Facebook page (Facebook.com/NationalFolkFestivalNC) and on social media:

·      #NCFolkFest  #WeAreFolk

·      Twitter: @NtlFolkFestNC

·      Instagram: NationalFolkFestNC

·      YouTube: National Folk Festival NC

More performers will be announced as they are confirmed."

- A Press Release

Greensboro Encourages National Night Out Participation with a Kick Off Party

"GREENSBORO, NC (June 28, 2016) – Neighborhoods throughout Greensboro have historically reserved the first Tuesday in August to celebrate National Night Out, an occasion to send a strong message to criminals letting them know that residents are organized and fighting back to reduce crime.

To get more neighborhoods involved in this celebration, Greensboro first responders are hosting a National Night Out Kick Off Party on Sat., July 16 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at Skateland South at 3801 N. Church St.

To encourage more neighborhoods to register for the 33rd Annual National Night Out and establish Community Watch Groups, Greensboro police, fire, Guilford Metro 911, Crime Stoppers, and other partners are hosting a free fun-filled Kick Off party to spotlight the city’s commitment to public safety. The event is designed to be both fun and informative. It features demonstrations and equipment displays, informational booths, games and activities for kids, music, and a free cook out. Skateland North has also offered free admission and free skates to the first 100 youth (age 18 and below) who participate in the kickoff event.

Any neighborhood can participate in NNO. Traditionally, residents showed their support for NNO by turning on their homes’ lights. Many communities, however, make the night an opportunity to get to know their neighbors and police better. Communities participating in NNO are encouraged to register their event with GPD in order for officers and other officials to stop by and meet community members.

“National Night out is a way to bring community members and police together in fun, casual settings,” said Police Chief Wayne Scott. “The safety of our city depends on teamwork among our officers and the people they serve. National Night Out helps build that sense of teamwork.”

Last year, The National Association of Town Watch presented Greensboro with an award for its participation in NNO. This is the twenty-third consecutive year the city has earned national recognition for making communities safer through police-citizen partnerships.

Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for, and participation in, local crime prevention programs
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

Effective crime prevention, however, requires more than a one-night event. Year-long Community Watch programs have been proven effective in reducing crime and improving quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the city.

“The best way to prevent crime is for people to get involved in their neighborhoods,” said Scott. “Strong neighborhoods are safer neighborhoods. Community Watch programs can be powerful organizations to improve the quality of life in a community.”

Community Watch programs enlist the active participation of citizens in partnership with the police to get something done about an immediate problem, and problem-solve on future goals. It involves:

·         Citizens using crime prevention practices to protect themselves and their property

·         Neighbors getting to know each other and working together to prevent crime

·         Citizens being trained to recognize and report suspicious activity

To learn more about National Night Out, or to start a Community Watch program in your neighborhood, call your Community Resource Officer, or the Office of Community Engagement at 373-2636.

To register for NNO, and to request an officer at your event, go to the www.gsopd.org or contact your Community Resource Officer. Don’t know your Community Resource Officer? Find your neighborhood in the “Our Communities” section of the site.

The kickoff event supports Chief Scott’s strategy expanding community outreach efforts to better connect with Greensboro’s residents and businesses."

- A Press Release

SYNERG YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO INCORPORATED & ARTSGREENSBORO CONTINUE WITH FIRST FRIDAY ON THE BLOCK PROGRAMMING

"GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 31, 2016) The second in the First Friday On The Block series will continue on June 3^rd from 6-9pm. Elm Street from MLK to Lewis St. will be closed to traffic to make room for pop up music, interactive arts programming, food trucks, and beer and wine. 

Pedestrians will have full access to the area to enjoy programming coordinated synerG young Professionals, Downtown Greensboro, Inc. and ArtsGreensboro.

Other entertainment? We have plenty. The organizations are collaborating with Funky Funk NC - North Carolina's B-Boy talent that will showcase their skills and teach you a few in various short programs during First Friday; The Artist Bloc will be hosting art battles throughout the evening for kids,  Ambleside Gallery will be hosting a street gallery, the UNCG Art Truck will be out, there will be free cornhole and more. And of course, many of the Downtown businesses will be open late during the event!

Getting hungry and thirsty?  In the pedestrian area, we will have brews served by Gibbs Hundred, Natty Greene’s and Preyer Brewing and wine from The Grove Winery. Food trucks for the event include Chirba Chirba, Hickory Tree BBQ and Gnam Gnam Gelato. You can also check out any of the great downtown restaurants, bars and breweries!

Want to volunteer to help make these events a success through helping set up, check ids, serve beer and help with programming? Email hmeredith@actiongreensboro.org.

Next First Friday On The Blocks will be held July 1 and August 5.

Other First Friday Happenings:

·         GreenHill: Mary D. Williams performance

·         The Shop at GreenHill: Influence opening

·         CVA: 100 for 100

·         Urban Grinders: Chris Reeves’ Magnum Opus

·         Int’l Civil Rights Msm.: Urban line-dancing

·         Blue Denim: Artist Denise Landi

·         Chakras Spa: Artist Sarah McClinton w/ Kim Kennedy

·         Fahrenheit Kollectiv: Artist Ashley Vanore

·         Fire Salon: Bonnie and Chris Reed

·         Natty Greene’s: NEW limited-release draft & PupUP dog park

·         Elm Street (MLK to Lewis): First Friday on the Block

·         Artist Bloc: Art Battles for kids

·         UNCG Art Truck: Julia Caston’s Manifesto of Small Works

·         Vivid Interiors: Art Exhibit

·         CTG: Cinderella Kids

·         Elements Gallery: 5th-Anniversary celebration

·         Ambleside Gallery: Street gallery

·         ReAligned: More Cowbell

·         HQ Greensboro: Local painters & photographers

·         Urban Gardener: Flowers, Art & Music

·         The Forge: Makers in Action"

- A Press Release

Downtown Greensboro Inc. Honors Key Leaders

"Downtown Greensboro Incorporated honored three leaders for their efforts to revitalize the center city at its Annual Report to the Community on October 22, 2015. Andy Zimmerman, owner of AZ Development, was given the The Jim Roach Downtown Person of the Year Award. The Jim Roach Downtown Person of the Year Award is presented annually to a local person who has had a major positive influence or impact on the center city over the past year. Zimmerman was selected for his creativity in the revitalization of properties in downtown, including the former Steel & Vaughn building, now home to Crafted: Art of the Street Food and Preyer Brewery and along Lewis Street, where HQ Greensboro, the Forge, and Gibbs are located.  Past winners include: Milton Kern, 2005; Roy Carroll, 2006; Betty Cone, 2007; John Lomax, 2008; Jim Melvin, 2009; Skip Alston and Earl Jones, 2010; Chris Lester, 2011; Chester Brown, 2012; Kathy Manning, 2013, and Jim Budd and Nick Piornack of Momentum Development Group, 2014. Bryan Toney, Associate Vice Chancellor of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, was presented with the Ed Kitchen Leadership Award. The Ed Kitchen Leadership Award is given to a local individual who through their leadership, vision and dedication has been a champion for downtown Greensboro. Toney was given this award for his efforts to expand UNCG’s campus to downtown through Union Square and the entrepreneurial spirit at HQ Greensboro. Toney was a key leader in the City being awarded the InnovateNC grant as well as the SC2 grant for the Global Opportunities Center. Past recipients of the Ed Kitchen Leadership Award include: Ed Kitchen, 2005; Mike Bumpass, 2006; Jimmy Black, 2007; Ray Gibbs, 2008; Susan Schwartz, 2009; Rich Whittington and Preston Lane, 2010; Trip Brown, 2011; Walker Sanders, 2012; George House, 2013; and Dawn Chaney, 2014. This year Downtown Greensboro Inc. presented a special honor to Betty Cone in recognition of her tremendous service and dedication to downtown Greensboro. Cone has served the greater downtown in many areas including leading the planning and management of the Fun Fourth Festival, Festival of Lights and her leadership within the Carolina Theatre. “Downtown revitalization is a true team effort that needs everyone’s help. Andy Zimmerman and Brian Toney stood out for their remarkable focus over the last year. Mrs. Cone has put forth so much for our downtown, has served as a mentor to many and a passionate leader throughout.  Our organization wanted to say a thank you for all she has done for Greensboro,” stated Zack Matheny, President of Downtown Greensboro Inc. About Downtown Greensboro Incorporated - Downtown Greensboro Incorporated (DGI) is an economic development organization focused on stimulating investment and activity in the center city. DGI’s primary focus is to lead the development of Downtown Greensboro as a prosperous and vibrant urban center, memorable and meaningful for those who choose to live, work, play and invest here." - A Press Release

Downtown Greensboro Inc. Unveils New Logo

"Greensboro, NC (October 20, 2015) Downtown Greensboro Incorporated has a new logo symbolizing the strength and bold future of the downtown. “Our mission is to support and boost downtown Greensboro. The new, bold logo represents the clear focus on downtown,” states new Downtown Greensboro Incorporated President Zack Matheny. The new logo includes a simple symbol with a “D” and “G” highlighted in white. "I knew it was important to create a strong, simple logo that can cut through all of the visual noise in our busy world. This logo is quickly recognizable and there is no question what the logo represents," said Jay Jung, principal & partner at Think Create, located in the Graphica building in downtown Greensboro since 1995. Downtown Greensboro Incorporated’s new logo symbolizes its strong support for downtown. “That is what we do – we support the businesses and residents downtown. We are here to listen to them and communicate better with the community so we can make downtown stronger for everyone,” said Matheny. “We are excited about everything downtown Greensboro has to offer and its future. We want to get people talking about downtown Greensboro, being a part of its excitement and enjoying our downtown more than ever,” continues Matheny. About Downtown Greensboro Incorporated - Downtown Greensboro Incorporated (DGI) is an economic development organization focused on stimulating investment and activity in the center city. DGI’s primary focus is to lead the development of Downtown Greensboro as a prosperous and vibrant urban center, memorable and meaningful for those who choose to live, work, play and invest here.   ### For more information, contact Downtown Greensboro Inc. at info@downtowngreensboro.net or 336.379.0060" - A Press Release

City Offers Tips on Avoiding Traffic During National Folk Festival

"GREENSBORO, NC (September 3, 2015) – Are you attending the National Folk Festival downtown Greensboro September 11-13? Want to park downtown, hop a free shuttle to the festivities or bike into the city? Visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/FolkFestivalTraffic to learn more about those options and more. The Web page also has links to the downtown street closure schedule and traffic flow diagram, as well as a full festival map.

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, puppeteers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will appear during the National Folk Festival, with at least 30 different individuals and groups performing on seven outdoor performance venues throughout downtown Greensboro. The three-day festival is free to the public.

Visit the National Folk Festival’s official website for updates and information on all performers."

- A Press Release

Ham's Restaurant Announces Relocation and New Concept

"GREENSBORO, NC (July 5, 2015) - The Ham's Restaurant is moving from it's current location at 324 S. Elm St. to a space one and a half blocks north on Elm Street.  The new location will be the Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar at 214 S. Elm St. (across from Crafted and Fincastles).

The move comes amid many new changes in downtown Greensboro, as more dining and entertainment options are moving in to the central business area.

“As more and more people come downtown for dining and a night out, we recognized an opportunity to launch a new concept that has been in development for the past year.  The Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar concept will put an emphasis on the main items that Ham's has become known for along with a seafood and raw bar menu and expanded craft beer offerings,” said Rocco Scarfone, president of Ham's Restaurants, “We are excited about the atmosphere downtown with all of the new breweries and restaurants and we look forward to being a part of the scene for a long time.”

“We wanted to offer variety as well as a more health-conscious menu.  Over the years, we have seen our guests enjoy special limited seafood items, and we lean heavily on the coastal Carolina influence in our own backyard,” said Marty Isom, Food and Beverage Director for Ham's Restaurants.

"I think it is great that Ham's is challenging themselves to bring the best in concept and cuisine for their downtown Greensboro location," said Zack Matheny, President of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., “"I look forward to this new restaurant concept and believe it will help be a great addition to downtown."  

The current Ham's location will be the site of a new project spearheaded by a different group, continuing the development of downtown Greensboro.  Said Scarfone. “There's so much going on, between new apartments, hotels, retail, and live entertainment, we really feel that this is the place to unveil our new concept.”

The new Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar is scheduled to open in August.  For more information, call the Ham's Corporate Office at 336-854-5546, or check www.hamsrestaurants.com"

- A Press Release

Jason Cannon To Step Down As DGI President & CEO

"As Chairman of the Board of DGI, I am announcing that our President and CEO, Jason Cannon, is stepping down to pursue an opportunity in one of his areas of expertise, Legislative and Economic Development Consulting. Mr. Cannon has served DGI and the City of Greensboro in his capacity since 2013 and has stewarded DGI through a period of significant transition, as requested by the Greensboro City Council and DGI’s Board of Directors, to focus substantially more of DGI’s efforts and resources on the growth and development of Downtown.  This process began with the creation of our current strategic plan supporting that new focus and a restructuring of DGI’s Board of Directors. In addition to transitioning Downtown’s maintenance services from DGI to the City of Greensboro, under Mr. Cannon’s leadership, DGI has launched a number of new initiatives and substantial progress is underway.  These include: •    Active and ongoing support of transformative Downtown development projects such as the restoration of the Cascade Saloon and acquisition of state funding for the burgeoning Union Square Campus have been among his priority areas of focus.   •    The process of launching a Downtown Master Streetscape Planning effort at DGI has also been completed under Mr. Cannon’s watch and now awaits the City’s action and support.  When implemented, this plan will substantially improve the street-level appearance of Downtown and aid in the attraction of additional investments to our urban core. •    In an ongoing effort to increase the vibrancy of Downtown and its pedestrian experience, a pilot “Parklet” program for Downtown is scheduled to be constructed and will be in place this Spring.   •    A new and exciting branding campaign entitled “Let’s Play”, also launched during Mr. Cannon’s tenure, is now underway with high quality imagery and print advertising.  It is complemented with a newly instituted social media campaign that, in its first month alone, made nearly 450,000 impressions with those connecting to Downtown Greensboro. For these efforts and others, Downtown Greensboro’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors are grateful for the initiatives Jason has begun and the contributions he has made to DGI and the City of Greensboro. Cyndy Hayworth, DGI’s current Director of Operations has been appointed to replace Mr. Cannon, on an interim basis. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  Thank you for your continued support of Downtown Greensboro. Gary Brame Chairman of the Board Downtown Greensboro, Incorporated" - An Open Letter

Downtown Business Owners Collaborate with Downtown Greensboro Inc. to Launch New "Let's" Campaign

"Downtown Greensboro, Inc., in collaboration with downtown businesses and Qub, will be launching its new awareness campaign, “Let’s”, designed to refresh and evolve downtown Greensboro’s image. The proposed campaign will communicate a cool, cosmopolitan, and vibrant urban center destined to attract, re-engage and retain participants.           The first incarnation will be focusing on “Play” and will celebrate local dining, entertainment, culture, and retail in downtown Greensboro. The campaign will use psychographics instead of demographics and will highlight generational and ethnic diversity while promoting local businesses including restaurants, museums, galleries and shops. Various downtown businesses have donated the majority of their services to create, produce and execute this campaign. These businesses include Qub, Ink Photography Productions, Locke Management and Salon Medusa. “It’s time for Greensboro to have confidence in itself,” says Eric Robert, owner of Qub and project lead on the campaign. “The time has come for us to stop trying to emulate other cities and finally realize that we can be cool on our own terms. We have a lot to offer and it is imperative for us to raise our production value and overall creativity to support the large investments currently underway in our center city.”  Jason Cannon, President & CEO of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., said:  “DGI is excited to be bring Downtown a new brand identity that speaks to all the things that make our Center City a great place for entertainment and leisure. We envision this new marketing package to be a unique visual showcase of Downtown Greensboro’s strengths.”   The campaign is set to launch locally via social media and area publications later this year before launching statewide. Robert hopes to be able to create future iterations of the campaign, which will emphasize downtown’s other unique attributes." - A Press Release

The Nutella Truck Tour Is Rolling Through Center City Park on July 9th

"Come out and enjoy again or try for the first time some of the best chocolate around.
There Will Be:
Delicious Samples Of Nutella On Your Favorite Foods
Fun Activities
A Photo Experience To Capture It All
AND
Cool Giveaways Like T-Shirts and Stickers

You Know You Don't Wanna Miss This,
Come On Its FREE NUTELLA We're Talking About Here!!!

Plus Tunes @ Noon Will Still Be Happening In The Park with Food Trucks!!

http://nutellausa.tumblr.com/"
A Press Release

Ed Wolverton out at Downtown Greensboro, Inc.

This just came in. Read the full press release below:

Downtown Greensboro Charts New Direction to Encourage Growth

GREENSBORO, NC – Dawn S. Chaney, Chair of the Board of Directors of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., announced today the decision that Ed Wolverton, currently serving as DGI President, will depart from employment at DGI on an amicable basis at the end of his contract term, July 1, 2013.  Subsequently, he will assist the organization for a 90-day transition period by focusing attention on special initiatives, year-end reports, mandatory fillings, annual meeting and other projects as needed during a transition phase expected to be 90 days.
    This action comes after recent discussions about the need for enhanced economic development efforts and increased programming for Downtown.  A six-member task force made up of leaders from both the City and DGI was created to explore new directions and responsibilities in an enhanced collaboration.
    “For the task force to have complete freedom to consider all alternatives and options moving forward, I will not seek an extension of my current employment contract,” said Wolverton.  “As Downtown is a leading economic engine for the community with a value of over $700 million, this decision will allow the task force to recommend any steps that could further grow the local economy or improve services for the center city,” he said.
    Wolverton thanked Board members, volunteers, City officials and staff for their leadership during the past five years; he pledged to help the organization move forward.  He remains optimistic about the future of Downtown and noted that over $200 million of new projects are in the pipeline.
    Chaney noted that, “Ed’s accomplishments, especially with regard to improving the overall environment downtown and his dedication to the vitality of Downtown and to DGI are sincerely appreciated.”
    “At this critical juncture, the DGI Board is ready to move forward in a new direction,” continued Chaney.  “Our emphasis as an organization will change from one of maintaining and managing the downtown environment towards becoming a major force in growing our Downtown.  We intend to restructure our Board, action groups and volunteer advisors in order for DGI, working in collaboration with the City, to be a catalyst and lead agent for growth, job creation and economic prosperity.”
    In partnership with the City Council, entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders, DGI has attracted over $260 million in new investment in the past five years.  “With persistence and hard work, the vitality of Downtown has been increased by the addition of a long-sought full-service grocery store, a veterinary practice, medical services, attractive residential space and expanding retail to complement the traditional downtown office population,” said Sam Simpson, incoming board chair.   “We are moving in a new direction with added responsibilities.  In doing so we are re-thinking all areas of our organization – leadership, board, and committees.”

No personnel changes at DGI... yet

Downtown Greensboro Inc.'s board held a special meeting this morning to discuss "personnel issues" but Councilwoman Nancy Vaughan confirmed that the board took "no action" on the issue. Mayor Robbie Perkins has a non-voting seat on the board and Vaughan has been attending in his place for the city.

Downtown Greensboro Inc. and the Greensboro City Council have been tussling over whether the group's leadership has been adequate. The nonprofit agency receives the majority of its funds from public source, and you can read more about the initial flare up and subsequent cooperation between the two bodies in our previous articles (click the links). Vaughan, Perkins and others have criticized the agency's lack of visionary leadership. 

One of Downtown Greensboro Inc.'s biggest critics, downtown property owner Eric Robert, has cautioned that scapegoating the group's President Ed Wolverton and not dealing with the organization's deeper issues would not create satisfactory change. (Read more about what Robert and others have previously said in the articles above)

Dawn Chaney, the chair of Downtown Greensboro, Inc.'s board, could not immediately be reached. 

City and Downtown Greensboro Inc reach agreement

YES! Weekly just received this press release from the City of Greensboro. This comes a week after city council voted 9-0 to explore other options for some of the funds the city gives to Downtown Greensboro Inc. annually. Read more about it in our cover story, coming out tomorrow morning!

GREENSBORO, NC (February 26, 2013) – Representatives from the City of Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro Incorporated (DGI) have reached an agreement on continuing their partnership in promoting and improving the downtown area. As part of the agreement, a working group will be established to better define the partnership between the City and DGI.

The group will be a subset of representatives from the two groups. The team will spend the next three months reviewing how the partnership has worked in the past and will recommend changes and improvements for the future.

City representatives included in reaching the agreement were Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, Councilmembers Yvonne Johnson, Zack Matheny and Nancy Vaughan, and City Manager Denise Turner Roth. DGI was represented by members of its executive committee, including Chair Dawn Chaney.

DGI's Ed Wolverton responds to curfew criticism

Wolverton

Today’s YES! Weekly editorial takes Greensboro’s new under-18, downtown curfew to task for attempting “to place blame — or at least punish — a cohort that has little to do with downtown’s woes but has little recourse against it because they cannot vote. And, judging by our Pop Quiz this week, our elected officials are well aware of the fact that the three weapons offenses that grabbed headlines recently have been committed by people well over the age of 18.

I asked readers yesterday in live social media coverage of a city council briefing if they had any questions. The first came from Dave McLean, who asked, “Since no teenagers were involved in the recent weapons incidents, why did the council choose to ban teenagers downtown?” Twenty-one comments on that thread and at least five statements during the speakers from the floor segment of the briefing from people who unanimously opposed the curfew provides ample evidence that the council’s recent vote has generated plenty of controversy.

I put the question to Ed Wolverton, president of Downtown Greensboro Inc., which has advocated for the measure and represents many of the downtown property owners who have been its most vocal proponents.

Wolverton responds:

DGI has endorsed several new programs to improve public safety in Downtown, especially for the late night customers and workers. The proposals were based on two themes 1) Better managing sidewalks and public space and 2) Increasing bar owner and patron responsibilities. City Council has acted on the first issue and will be considering strategies for the second phase at an upcoming meeting.


Managing the sidewalks and public space is critical to public safety. Perhaps the best way to discuss the issue is with a real, every night example.

Anyone who has walked along Elm Street during the late night hours knows that sidewalks can become quite crowded. Sidewalk cafes bring life and activity, but they also remove space from pedestrians. Lines of patrons waiting to get into restaurants and clubs also limit the sidewalk area. When you further consider space used by trash containers, newspaper boxes, bike racks and other street furniture, sidewalk space often gets very limited. Space narrows down even more when push cart vendors set up on the sidewalks.

Now, include in this mix people hanging out on the sidewalks. In some cases, these people are too young to get into a club or restaurant. In other cases, they prefer to hang outside and "people watch" even though they could go inside a business. As people see friends, more people start congregating to be part of the scene and sidewalk space is further limited.

Soon, someone makes a comment to a passerby that could be seen as crude or offensive. Or, a pedestrian in a hurry tells loiterers to get out of the way. Add in effects of alcohol consumption, and, what may have been a harmless comment instead becomes a spark that leads to a fight. The fight could happen then or later in the evening as the paths of the people involved cross again in a club, restaurant or on the sidewalk.

The pilot curfew to prohibit unsupervised youth in Downtown after 11 p.m. along with the loitering ordinance changes are preventive measures. They are designed to proactively open-up more space on crowded sidewalks for late night pedestrians. This will reduce the chances of a conflict and minimize an innocent bystander being harmed by a nearby incident or becoming a crime victim.

No one supporting the curfew said that the recent incidents were caused by teenagers. Nor did anyone blame teenagers. The major reason for the curfew is that minors under 18 years old cannot legally get into a club. While a few restaurants are open late night, most are closed after 11 p.m. That leaves hanging around on the sidewalk as the most likely place for most unsupervised minors after this time of night.

For loitering, public safety is improved by making sure that people are a distance away from doorways to allow business patrons the ability to easily enter and exit. As many people use the City parking decks, the other loitering change is designed to prevent tailgate parties from occurring in the garage. Some use the decks to load up on alcohol and avoid detection of over-consumption within a club. Some tailgate and hang out with no intention of visiting a club. This can create an intimidating environment in the garage and escalate the chances of an incident.

The changes approved by City Council so far are geared to help prevent and diffuse incidents from occurring by minimizing conflicts from happening on sidewalks and in parking decks. Also, the City Council voted to end the loitering law after one year to examine its impact. As noted above, DGI approved a two-step approach and we are working with stakeholders to bring forward changes to improve management practices of club operators and patrons. Combined, these refinements will improve late night public safety for the entire community.

Unfortunately, there is no easy and simple solution. Improving safety will require a number a strategies that work together. That is the approach DGI is endorsing.

I appreciate Wolverton’s willingness to engage in open dialogue on a topic in which many people on both sides have strong feelings.