The N&R editorializes on Greensboro’s downtown greenway:
At an estimated cost of $26 million, this is neither a quick nor easy proposition. The urban stretches will be more challenging and expensive. And the entire project could take another 10 years.
But greenway boosters have raised half of the project’s budget and similar initiatives in other cities have enhanced quality of life and local economies.
This appears a long, long walk worth taking.
OK, I only looked at the table posted over at Guarino’s, so I’ll concede Ed Cone’s point that the Greensboro Partnership’s “anticipated property appreciation” of properties along the greenway “is due to investment and development on those properties.”
And in a more perfect world, the properties would be developed before the greenway is complete, though one of them might not be the North State Chevrolet site.
So— for whatever reason —- the properties are being linked to the greenway. It’s also pretty well known that advocates for greenways and light rail believe that high-density development is desirable because everyone will be able to walk, ride their bike or take the train everywhere. It will be so wonderful —- the air would be cleaner, there would be less traffic, everyone would be healthier.
Problem is — as Wendell Cox points out — such high-density development only attracts more automobiles, thereby increasing traffic and congestion. Think about Smith and Battleground with a high-density development, especially on nights the Hoppers are home.
I live right down the street from the North State site, so I want to see the property developed. But it would certainly delay my trips home, because the masses will not be traveling by greenway.
