Downtown Developments

Winston’s Twin Arches Viewed From Happy Hill

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Earlier this week, Mayor and Winston-Salem Alliance president Allen Joines oversaw the official powering-up of the LED lights on the Twin Arches over Highway 52.

The public art initiative is a public/private partnership spearheaded by the Creative Corridors Coalition. It’s the first of several projects that Creative Corridors are working on in conjunction with the ongoing road-work along Highway 52 and Business 40.

The Winston-Salem Journal is reporting that opinions on the Twin Arches are mixed. I personally find … Read the rest

East Winston

Lake Park Is Part Of An Ocean Of Failed Projects In East Winston

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Last week the Winston-Salem City Council forgave a $167,500 loan to Lake Park Develpment, Inc. Lake Park Development, Inc. is owned by media/real estate mogul, Jose Isasi. Mr. Isasi’s has been the recipient of generous city subsidies in the past. But for now, let’s focus on Lake Park.

Lake Park is a nice subdivision, that was built in the 1990s onto an existing neighborhood off of Waterworks Road. It’s an upper-middle-class subdivision that would not be out-of-place in Clemmons … Read the rest

Activism

Trump Protesters Shouldn’t Give Allen Joines A Free Pass

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Thousands of protestors from around the Triad gathered at Corpening Plaza Saturday to denounce Donald Trump and the politics of hate. It was nice protesting an ugly president on such a beautiful day.

Donald Trump has made life dramatically worse for women, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, workers, minorities, and the environment upon which we all depend. (By contrast, Trump has delivered for the billionaire class that elected him)

Indivisible Piedmont NC did a great job of bringing thousands of women … Read the rest

East Winston

The Liberty Street Market Isn’t In Transition, Neither Is East Winston

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The Winston-Salem Chronicle recently reported that the Liberty Street Market was “in transition once again.” Once again, in the market’s short, but troubled history it’s without a manager. But setbacks at the Liberty Street Market are hardly news.

To say that the Liberty Street Market is in “transition” implies that the property is in motion. In truth, the Liberty Street Market has been mostly dormant since it opened in October 2014. It’s an utter failure, a monument to the incompetence … Read the rest

Year In Review

Winston’s Seven Most Important News Events Of 2017

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1. Bus route change chaos

The 2017 news cycle started in earnest when the Winston-Salem Transit Authority completely overhauled its bus routes. Months of preparations took place and many community meetings were held. But obviously, the implementation of WSTA’s new bus routes was a massive failure.

The new routes went into effect January 2. Immediately there was a community uproar. The new routes disrupted the lives of the city’s bus riders. They had to walk greater distances to … Read the rest

Housing

Boston-Thurmond Development Can’t Proceed Without A Non-Displacement Guarantee

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It’s Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday. For all the reasons to hate Thanksgiving, I still love it. I know that our nation’s genocide of Native Americans is nothing to celebrate.

But Thanksgiving with all its baggage is a time to gather with family and friends. It’s a time to be thankful for the things that we have, even as we actively covet Christmas gifts that we don’t need.

This Thanksgiving I’m thankful that Boston-Thurmond residents are resisting Wake Forest’s new … Read the rest

East Winston

New Zesto Planned For East Winston Isn’t Much To Get Excited About

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“Made-to-order char-grilled burgers, premium ice cream and new jobs  will be coming to New Walkertown Road.”

-Councilmember Derwin Montgomery

 

The property on New Walkertown Road that was home to a Church’s Chicken for many years has a new owner. Goler Community Development Corporation’s spinoff now owns the property and building. After Goler CDC and its partners rehab the building, it will be reopened as a Zesto franchise.

The Winston-Salem Chronicle reported on Goler’s acquisition of the former Church’s Chicken … Read the rest

Housing

Fourth Street Neighborhood Development Is Rejected Again-But Threat Of Gentrification Remains

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Monday night’s meeting of the City Council wasn’t too contentious. The two issues that drew the most debate were rules and regulations on accessory dwellings and the rezoning of a property on Fourth Street, near Peters Creek Parkway.Winston’s tiny house policies. I personally am more concerned with issues of development and gentrification.

Winston’s accessory dwelling/tiny house policies have received the most coverage from local media. I think Councilmember Clark’s comments on accessory dwellings/tiny houses were insightful. Clark said, “I think … Read the rest

W-S Business

Winston-Salem Is Betting On Herbalife

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Happy Labor Day Winston-Salem! Today as you’re enjoying the last hurrah of summer, take a few moments to remember that today is Labor Day.

America has traditionally been a country that is hostile to the interests of laborers. That’s why in this country Labor Day is the first Monday in September instead of May 1, like everywhere else.

Good jobs are hard to find these days. Financialization, mechanization, computers/Artificial Intelligence and old fashion corporate greed have made life difficult for … Read the rest

Winston-Salem City Council

Winston-Salem City Council Meeting, August 7, 2017: Notes And Commentary

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Monday’s meeting of the Winston-Salem City Council wasn’t too eventful. After taking the month of July off the city council eased back into session with a relatively light agenda. A few zoning requests were heard, several appointments/reappointments were made to various city government committees, but no public comments were heard.

Waughtown Cemetery received approval to rezone some property it had recently purchased adjacent to its existing property. The Gallery Lofts apartments received approval from the council to expand downtown without … Read the rest