No surprise, both major Triad newspapers of record are all for government-sponsored downtown development.
The Winston-Salem Journal says the city “seems amenable to supplying half of the $6.5 million” needed for the Civic Plaza project, but takes Forsyth County to task for being hesitant to ponying up “what should be its fair share for a project that should bring it and the city considerable tax dollars and enhance area economic development.”
More Journal logic:
(I)f the project did make it without the requested level of support from the county, the county would certainly want to collect those tax dollars from it and enjoy that economic development it brings.
Well yea, that’s kind of the way it’s supposed to work. But what about the other side of the argument where the project (heaven forbid) doesn’t work and taxpayers get stuck with the bill?
Meanwhile, the pre-shrunk N&R editorial page endorses the $14 million Church Street ‘cultural mecca,’ saying it makes ‘good sense’:
When you are imagineering like this, the sky’s the limit. For instance, the HR&A report features a cover photo of the Greensboro skyline that not only depicts the new Center Pointe tower, but a much taller sister high-rise beside it — which does not currently exist. We can only wish.
No need for the N&R to be skeptical of plans from which it would benefit, considering the fact that that development of its parking lot would bring in a neat $5 million.
