The City of Greensboro has big plans to improve the 2.3-mile stretch of Randleman Road between I-40 and I-85, as well as other sections of the road, through numerous changes.

And if you would like to put forward your proposal for the optimal modernization of the corridor, you have two final chances to do so.

The City of Greensboro is hosting two “public engagement events” regarding its Randleman Road Corridor Plan. The City is asking the public for input two final times as part of the final stages of Phase Two of the plan. To that end, Greensboro Planning Department staff is hosting two open meetings for anyone interested in the project.

The meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th at the New Goshen United Methodist Church, 3300 Randleman Road. Both events will run from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can stop by anytime during those times on either day to see a blueprint of how the city plans to improve the corridor and surrounding areas.

The staff at the City Planning Office will listen to your advice, provide you with details on how to implement the plan, and answer questions about the plan.

Earlier this summer, city planning staff hosted a picnic for residents who wanted to voice their opinions on the future of the Randleman Road corridor. The city held another input meeting in March and is currently working on developing the plan for most of 2024.

Randleman Road is a focal point for the city as it “represents a major gateway to Greensboro (and) is home to a variety of commercial establishments in the midst of established residential neighborhoods.”

City officials also point out that the road is an “important transportation route” for Greensboro.

The biggest concerns include road safety, poor lighting which makes business owners feel unsafe, and abandoned and unsightly buildings.

The new plan is comprehensive and includes, among other things, “aesthetically pleasing elements such as plantings, public art and signage.”

Other likely changes include updating traffic light patterns, installing additional “cycle and pedestrian facilities” and improving signage and gardens.

City planners also intend to connect Randleman Road to various nearby residential neighborhoods via a network of trails and improve conditions for cyclists. “Where possible, sidewalks will be widened for bicycles and/or bike lanes will be created if future conditions permit and the community supports the change.”

The City of Greensboro also plans to deploy new “Code Compliance Software” to track and punish code violations by repeat offenders.

The draft plan calls for the city to increase funding and expand programs to demolish abandoned and dilapidated buildings along the corridor.

Incentives will be offered to encourage retailers to locate in the area. The city will also “implement strategies to encourage the reinvestment of brownfield and underutilized land to keep pace with changing markets and provide goods and services to area residents.”

The area may also attract attention through “short-term pop-up events” in public spaces made available for event rental.

Other parts of the draft plan include the following:

• Install additional LED street lights in areas without adequate coverage.
• Work with private parking lot owners to brighten up particularly dark parking lots.
• Install license plate readers in target areas identified through a comprehensive crime rate analysis.
• Work more closely with commercial landowners and their private security companies to improve communication and jointly resolve security issues.
• Work with property owners to post prohibition signs on properties and parking lots – such as no trespassing notices, no littering, parking lot closures, etc.
• Integrate and promote public art opportunities in new buildings or on municipal property.
• Consider strategic land purchases to add public spaces to the corridor.
• Develop a wayfinding and signage infrastructure to guide visitors and residents to historic sites, major businesses and recreational areas.
• Increasing fines or other financial penalties for illegal parking of trucks.
• Work with local public health partners to explore the possibility of opening additional health facilities along Randleman Road.
• Coordinate with the Guilford County Health Department to ensure temporary outdoor vendors follow food safety guidelines.

If anyone has questions about the plans for the corridor or the two events in September, they can visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/RandlemanRoad or contact Kelly Larkins at 336-412-5739.