Controversy continues over
Jefferson-Pilot development
STACEY VINCENT
staff writer
Guilford College, long known for its se
rene campus and aesthetic beauty, may soon
see some drastic changes. For decades stu
dents have been able to enjoy the quiet and
seemingly detached landscape of Guilford
College. The college, and Greensboro as a
whole, stands to lose valuable green space
because of the city council's recent decision
to rezone Jefferson Pilot's 414+ acre club.
The JP club, which follows along New
Garden Rd., just off Guilford College Rd. and
streches along behind the Guilford campus
to Jefferson Rd., has been widely considered
by the citizens of Greensboro to be invalu
able as green space and a wildlife sanctuary.
Dan Poteet, Guilford provost, does not
feel that development of the JP club prop
erty poses much of a direct threat to Guilford.
However, the 40+ acres of Waynick prop
erty, which is part of the developer's contract,
is directly attached to the campus.
According to Poteet, plans for the
Waynick property include a bank, a two and
three story apartment complex (with approxi
mately 300 units), and an extended care fa
cility.
Laura O'Toole, a sociology/anthropology
professor, who adamantly opposes the devel
opment, says "There is something neat about
[Guilford] being separated from the rest of
the urban environment." She also fears that
the newly proposed apartments would draw
students off campus and compromise the
sense of community that Guilford tries so
hard to maintain.
O'Toole has become involved with ob-
Watkins taking well
to new position
DAMIAN DEBELLO
staff writer
This year, Guilford welcomes a new
Director of Student Activities, Dawn
Watkins. She fills the post vacated when
Michael West resigned his position late last
school year.
Watkins worked in the past for Guilford
in the Center for Continuing Education de
partment, but is excited with her new posi
tion.
"My job is to look at the quality of life
for students and how facilities for them are
being used. I think it's the most fun job on
campus," said Watkins.
She feels that the student activities role
brings this "fun" to the students, which in
turn brings together the community.
One of Watkins' main goals is to battle
the ail-too common complaint—that there's
nothing to do. To battle this problem, she
has created "The MAG (Month at
Guilf ord)", which will list all events offered
to students over the month. It will be posted
all over campus.
As for right now, Watkins is busy at work
September 13,1996
taining signatures on petitions organized by
a group call G.U.A.R.D. (Greensboro Unites
Against Random Development). This group
has until the 17th of this month to amass 7,204
signatures from registered voters to be able
to force the city council to repeal their deci
sion.
Beyond the direct impact of the Waynick
and JP properties' development on the
Guilford Campus, there are many other rea
sons to preserve these lands. Some of the most
obvious effects would include: an increase in
traffic along all sides, a possible decrease in
campus safety (from the influx of people in
direct contact with the campus), and a sense
of being urbanized by the planned growth and
the additional growth to follow.
Greensboro residents have regularly
voiced their opinions in the News and Record,
local news networks, and by their actions and
words at the city council meetings.
Clarice Smith, president of GUARD, says
"[I am] saddened to think that all of those
beautiful woods and meadows will be turned
into just another vanilla development."
"This property is one of the last parcels of
land suitable for public recreation...we need
more parks, not more shopping centers." The
pleas of Greensboro residents for more pub
lic park lands have long gone unanswered,
and there is little doubt that the JP Club is the
last suitable tract of land remaining within
the city limits.
The JP property also has another impor
tant characteristic that makes it worth preserv
ing-its historical quality. This land has
changed very little since Lord Cornwallis
fought skirmishes here in 1781 while en route
to the battle at Guilford Courthouse.
J r
w
planning such events as Family Weekend,
Homecoming, and the Inauguration of new
president Dan McNemar. She also keeps
strong ties with UNION, making sure there
are many events, and that they are "balanced
out".
Despite these responsibilities, Watkins
insists she is there for everyone.
'There are so many organizations. I want
tou9emy'©ffee•as•a'filnnel:' , " • • - ■
news
Dawn Watkins
The JP lake is mentioned specifically in
the Official Zoning Map: "...with the exist
ing lake to be retained as a water quality fa
cility." But the plan for the JP land also in
cludes 494 single family homes, 456 units
of multi-family housing, hotels, office com
plexes, and a shopping center.
The proposed shopping center alone has
caused much controversy. JP attorney John
Hopkins claims it will be similar to the
Friendly Shopping Center, only smaller and
more "upscale."
According to the Official Zoning Map
and plans, the "shopping center" will cover
"65 acre 5...650,000 sq. feet...and a maximum
height of 50 feet." That would make it
slightly larger, and one story taller than the
Carolina Circle Mall.
O'Toole brings to light possibly the most
haunting issue of all-preserving green space
for today's children and tomorrow's genera
tions to come. O'Toole said that one of the
main reasons she became involved with
GUARD, and the signing of the petitions, is
so that she can represent her son.
O'Toole says, "[my son] has always fan
tasized about, and had an interest in that land
[JP's], he has heard about the lake that is sup
posed to be back there and has always wanted
to see it."
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PLUS Selections of Discontinued
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(various styles) at special prices.
Hurry! Sale Ends Friday, Sept. 20.
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College Relations
The Guilfordian
INTERESTED IN
SIGNING THE
PETITION,
REGISTERING To
VOTE, OR LENDING
A HAND?
CONTACT:
LAURA O'TOOLE
ARCHDALE 212
STACEY VINCENT
274-0830, 643-7642
OR CCE MAILBOX
CLARICE SMITH
(G.U.A.R.D.)
5505 ROBINRIDGE RD.
GREENSBORO, NC 27410
855-3338
KEEP AN EYE OUT, TOO!
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