City outlines 'g 35' downtown plan and package of parking changes

The City of Greensboro detailed a new downtown strategic plan called “g 35” and a set of parking changes designed to support new development and increase downtown activity. City presentations described plans to energize Elm Street, catalyze Church Street, expand development along the Greensboro Greenway and boost downtown housing; DGI president and CEO Zach Matheny was cited as sharing plans that include two new hotels and a seven‑story apartment building with mixed‑use space.

City officials announced a parking package that will standardize signage for surface lots and on‑street spaces, begin free parking in surface lots and on‑street locations after 5 p.m. on weekdays and maintain free parking on weekends, and expand publicity about free‑parking options including the first hour in city parking decks. The city said it will improve enforcement consistency across downtown and upgrade ParkMobile, the city's vendor for digital parking payments. Officials also said a parking program for downtown service employees and options for business validation are under development.

The city noted it manages more than 4,400 public parking spaces across city‑owned decks, surface lots and on‑street locations. Separately, North Davie Street between East Friendly Avenue and East Market Street is closed through early June for demolition of the Davie Street parking deck by the new owner; drivers were advised to follow posted detours and exercise caution near the work zone.

The announcements were presented on the city’s FYI Weekly program and city websites and outreach channels were cited for further details.