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CHy and Town Centers
Goal: A vibrant city center which is the focus of the economic and
social life of our community, a center of civic, entertainment and cultural
activities and a symbol of community identity.
Before World War II, downtown Winston-Salem was the commercial and ?
social hub of our community. In the past four decades competition from
suburban development has caused downtown to decline.
More recently there have been signs of a renaissance in downtown Win
ston-Salem. That is encouraging because downtown is a symbol of commu
nity economic health, local quality of life, pride, and community history.
It is our statement to visitors, prospective investors and our citizens about
our confidence and pride in the future. Downtown is a centerpiece that
creates an image, good or bad, of who we are and these are factors in
industrial, commercial and professional recruitment county wide.
The rebirth of downtown will require that it transform itself and become
economically competitive with suburban Activity Centers by changing and
expanding to include new diversified functions and activities. New anchors
of development such as entertainment, cultural arts, tourism and technol
ogy-based businesses will have to emerge to complement current banking,
government and convention activities. With vision, good planning, energy
and commitment, downtown Winston-Salem will be the vibrant economic,
social and cultural center of oux community.
Key Recommendations
Downtown Design and Aesthetics
* Prepare an urban design plan for downtown Winston-Salem that builds
on the existing physical assets and special historic character and enhances
the visual quality.
* Develop an arts/entertainment center or other distinctive feature to create
a special place that attracts more people to the area.
Historic Preservation
* Consider establishing a National Register of Historic Places district in
downtown Winston-Salem.
Downtown Housing
* Provide incentives for new higher density housing and reha
bilitation and conversion of existing nonresidential buildings
to residential use in and close to downtown.
Public/Private Partnerships
? Consider creation of a Business Improvement
District, or similar mechanisms for the en
hancement and marketing of downtown Winston
Salem.
Building Better
Neighborhoods
Goal: New and revitalized neighborhoods that offer a variety of quality
housing types, convenience to services and shopping, and foster a strong
sense of community.
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The character of residential neighborhoods in Forsyth County has under
gone a radical change in recent decades. The trend has been away from
the close-in compact, self-sufficient, mixed use neighborhoods of an
? earlier time. In their place we have been building large-lot subdivisions
and strip commercial corridors on the suburban fringe. This development
pattern has resulted in neighborhoods that are separated from jobs and
shopping, and almost totally dependent on the automobile. Walled and
gated communities are becoming more common. It is hslrd to find sites
for affordable housing options such as multifamily and manufactured
housing due to neighborhood opposition. Housing that is affordable to
lower income people, including public housing developments, is scarce
and concentrated in a few areas of our.community, dividing us by class
and income. ' . ?
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In other communities, dissatisfaction
with suburban development patterns has
spawned a new trend in planning called
traditional neighborhood development.
TVaditional neighborhood development is
based on a return to the town designs ex
isting before World War II. It tries to
reduce the role of the automobile in
neighborhood design and to incorporate
convenience, walkability, aesthetics, li
ability, environmental sensitivity and a
sense of belonging back into new neigh
borhoods. It is becoming a viable, mar
ketable alternative to suburban sprawl.
Key Recommendations
New Designs for Neighborhoods
? Develop traditional neighborhood design standards for inclusion in the
Unified Development Ordinances that provide choice and an alternative
to current suburban-oriented subdivision regulations.
? Work with the Winston-Salem Department of Transportation and the
NC Department of TVansportation to develop street and sidewalk
standards for traditional neighborhood development and revised require
ments for standard subdivisions.
Preserve and Revitalize Existing Neighborhoods
? Protect existing neighborhoods through the creation of opportunities
and incentives for their rehabilitation, redevelopment, and revitalization.
1 Affordable Housing
? Create well designed manufactured, rental and public housing develop
ments that showcase the positive aspects of these housing types.