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Committee directs staff to study High Point University request to reroute campus greenway
Summary
High Point University presented a proposal to adjust and extend the greenway that bisects its campus; the committee unanimously directed staff to examine property options, phasing and timing and to ensure the path remains open during work.
High Point University presented a plan to the Prosperity, Livability and Safety Committee on Jan. 9 to reroute a greenway that bisects the university campus and to obtain ownership or permissions for a city-owned segment, and the committee unanimously directed staff to study property options, phasing and timing.
Barry Kitley, representing High Point University, told committee members the institution maintains the greenway and wants to adjust its route to accommodate campus growth and safety, and to permit additional development opportunities. "We will design and construct at our cost," Kitley said, adding that the university would work with city departments to obtain any property rights needed and that the greenway would remain open while changes are made.
The proposal as presented described the greenway as roughly 2,300 feet long where it currently bisects campus; presenters also showed a slide distinguishing about 1,300 feet the city owns (shaded blue) and approximately 1,000 feet on university-owned land (shaded purple). Kitley said the reroute would use existing tunnels under University Parkway and Centennial to avoid at-grade crossings of four-lane roads and estimated a reconfigured route would total about 4,800 feet, an increase the presentation characterized as roughly 1,500 feet longer than the current alignment.
Damon Duquesne, assistant city manager, introduced the presentation and noted the university has been maintaining the greenway under an adopt-a-greenway arrangement and has worked with the city's Parks and Recreation staff on prior campus adjustments. Kitley said the university has seen enrollment and program growth — including new professional schools and an expanding student body — and that consolidating maintenance and surveillance (the university currently deploys cameras along the path it maintains) would simplify campus management.
Committee members voiced support for next steps. A motion was made and seconded to direct city staff to examine property options, phasing, timing and to ensure the greenway remains open during any adjustments. The motion passed unanimously.
The committee did not approve any transfer or final property action at the meeting; Kitley said any plans would require approval by city inspections and by the Parks and Recreation Department. The presentation referenced prior campus work with McCain Park, and the consultant firm Weston & Sampson (Rachel Cotter) was named as assisting the university on design work.
The committee meeting included no additional public comment on this item. Staff follow-up will include property and procedural options and timing; no schedule for subsequent committee or council review was specified at the Jan. 9 meeting.
