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Residents praise High Point University withdrawal from Greenway proposal; council clarifies presentation was informational
Summary
Public commenters thanked High Point University for withdrawing a proposal affecting the city's Greenway and urged earlier community engagement; council members said the item heard earlier was a presentation, not a finalized proposal.
Several residents used the council's public comment period to press for community involvement after a recent High Point University presentation about a possible change to the Greenway, and they thanked university leadership for withdrawing the relocation idea.
Sam Lasine told council he had discussed the matter with the university and praised its response: “His acknowledgment that the university had made a mistake took courage and showed leadership,” Lasine said, thanking the university and its president for committing not to propose changes that would “limit, relocate, close, or otherwise impact the Greenway.”
Other speakers described long-running concerns about the university’s growth and impact on nearby neighborhoods. Kirby Hurd, who identified herself as a Ward 2 resident, said the university’s expansion has altered neighborhood character and called for more transparency and regular community forums. “We need more transparency with the college and with the city,” Hurd said.
Council members responded during dais remarks. Mayor Cyril Jefferson noted outreach from High Point University’s leadership following community feedback and said a university leader contacted him to discuss alternative routes. Mayor Pro Tem Moore spoke at length defending the university’s record on property purchases and community partnerships and disputed claims that the institution had “lowballed” homeowners. “That’s a lie,” Moore said, repeating the phrase to emphasize his point and urging residents to consult the public record.
A council member who chairs the Prosperity, Livability and Safety Committee apologized for not making clear that an earlier meeting item was only a presentation; the council member said the session did not constitute a formal proposal and apologized for any confusion.
Why it matters: public comments and council responses indicate heightened local attention to university expansion and to preserving the Greenway. Residents asked for earlier community involvement in formative stages of proposals to avoid controversy and build support.
What happens next: council members and staff said they welcome continued engagement; city staff and university representatives discussed follow-up outreach outside the meeting.
Speakers and officials quoted in this article were present in the meeting record and spoke during the public comment period and dais remarks.
