I want downtown Greensboro to get better, with rules that make every big decision fair and open. The city needs money, but more of it should come from corporations, developers and public/private projects. Less should come from homeowners, renters and small businesses. Nothing here raises property taxes, adds fees on homes or raises resident parking.

I know this isn’t everything Greensboro is dealing with. Homelessness, housing costs, public safety, rising water bills, schools and basic city services all matter. That’s the point. If the city and county get more value out of every deal and stop money from going where it isn’t working, there’s more to put toward those things.

• The legal limit: The NC Constitution (Art. V, Sec. 2) requires the same tax rate on a home and a corporate HQ, and only the state can change that. So the fix is better incentives, appraisals and land deals, not higher corporate rates.

Here’s what I’d want a candidate to commit to:

1. Put every corporate incentive deal out in the open. NC law (G.S. 158-7.1) already requires a public hearing with 10 days notice. Council can build on that by updating its incentive policy:
   • the company’s real name instead of a code name (ex. Project Sage)
   • the full contract posted before the hearing
   • payback with interest if hiring or wage targets aren’t met
   • a yearly cap
   • no city money for projects outside city limits without a revenue-sharing agreement
   • Example: Austin and Greensboro are different cities, but the idea carries over. Austin, TX posts every deal online, has an outsider check that companies deliver, and kept growing anyway. If a massive city like them can do this, we should be able to as well.
2. Hire an auditor who reports to council.
   • Example: Austin, TX’s auditor is appointed by council, serves 5 year terms and can only be removed by a 3/4 vote. That independence helps everyone trust the numbers and helps support the public and the council has the data show the work and benefits.
3. Make sure every dollar is working.
   • The Dream Center is a good place to start. The city agreed to over half a million in incentives for that data center project in 2022. Its site plan has expired, and there’s no sign yet it’ll start by its Dec 31, 2026 deadline. Enforce the performance terms as written.
   • Every group that gets city money, DGI included, should have an end date in its contract, clear goals and open books. Fund more of what works.
4. Set clear rules for big data centers. The 180 day pause on data centers over 10 megawatts runs out in February. Before then, put permanent rules in the Land Development Ordinance:
   • only allowed in a few heavy industrial areas
   • only through a public rezoning vote
   • big setbacks from homes, schools and parks
   • closed loop cooling and noise studies
   • they pay the full cost of any water or sewer upgrades
   • no local incentives for them
5. Make sure big commercial property pays its full share.
   • Value it accurately. Homes are valued off sales prices. Big commercial buildings are mostly valued off the income their owners report, which leaves more room for appeals. Fund enough county appraisers to value them at market value, defend those values on appeal, and publish how much value changes through appeals each year.
   • Understand “revenue neutral.” After a revaluation, the city has to publish a revenue neutral rate (G.S. 159-11), which brings in about the same total money as last year. It’s based on the average increase, around 40 to 45% this time. If your home went up more than average, your bill still goes up. If a big building went up less, its bill goes down. Accurate commercial values are what really protect homeowners.
   • Get the most from the downtown district tax. Downtown property pays an extra tax that mostly goes to DGI. Don’t raise it, since that hits downtown residents and small shops too. Put more of it toward upkeep and infrastructure, with results reported by DGI.
6. Build trust in how decisions get made.
   • Strengthen the ethics code so anyone with a tie to a project recuses. This should be mandated, not voluntary as it currently stands.
   • No campaign contributions from anyone with a grant, contract or rezoning in front of council.
   • Lease city land when it makes sense instead of selling it. State law (G.S. 160A-272) treats any lease over 10 years as a sale, which brings open bidding.
   • These rules protect council members as much as the public.
7. Clear up the deals already on the books. Much of this comes from George Hartzman’s Public Integrity Watch, which goes through council records. I’d encourage people to look at the records themselves. What I’d want explained with transparency and considered:
   • Bellemeade parking deck. The city took down the 1,276 space deck for about $2.35 million. In June 2025, council voted 9-0 to sell the lot to Carroll Companies for $1.85 million, tied to a $50 million project within 5 years. The city’s appraisal was $2.42 million. County records still list the city as owner. A public update would help.
   • Selling city land. In September, council asked the state for authority to sell city land through negotiated deals, without requiring a public hearing, bidding or an appraisal. I’d want all three written in first.
   • Sewer reimbursements for private projects. For example, in 2019 council approved up to $1,549,647 for sewer serving Samet’s industrial development on Campground Road. Deals like this can make sense, but the public should see what the city got back.
   • Water and sewer for growth outside the city. The mayor has said Greensboro spent $150 million running water and sewer to the Toyota megasite in Randolph County, which doesn’t pay Greensboro property tax. Water rates are projected to rise around 11% a year through 2029.
   • Regional sewer plan. A regional study has Greensboro paying about $156 million toward a new plant’s first phase, with Greensboro’s share of capacity coming in a 2042 expansion. The public should see those numbers before a final commitment.
   • The city’s finances. Hartzman reports the state’s Local Government Commission put Greensboro on its watch list in September. That makes all of this more important.
   • Publish every developer reimbursement, utility fee waiver and land sale from the last 10 years, with what the city paid and what it got back.
   • Have developers pay the full cost of water and sewer connections that serve their projects.
   • Hold a public hearing with projected Greensboro bills before any binding regional sewer commitment.
   • Share the full numbers on the February One and Eugene Street parking decks: the debt, the parking revenue, and any general fund support.

8. The old News & Record site

This is the one I care about most, because it’ll shape downtown for the next 30 years and likely many of us will not be around for. Here’s where it stands, as best I can find:

• The site sat on the market for 8 years, then was condemned and torn down in 2024.
• Two big deals fell through before that, one in 2018 and one with Ryan Cos. in 2023.
• In July 2025, Center City Investors LLC bought the 6.65 acres for $6.65 million. It’s a partnership set up by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s real estate fund, with the Bryan Foundation, the Cemala Foundation and a few local individuals.
• They also bought the 3.53 acres next door on S. Church St, across from the Galyon Depot. That’s about 10 acres total.
• DGI’s GSO35 plan says the site will need public investment and infrastructure help.
• I can’t find a public plan, developer, timeline or community meeting yet. If someone knows more, please share.

I’m glad it’s in local hands, and I believe the owners want it to reflect the whole community. If public money becomes part of it, I’d love to see the public have a real say too.

I’m not a city planner or a developer, so take this for what it is. These are things I think would make it a place people from every side of town actually use:

• shops, restaurants and bars along the streets, with apartments above so it pays property taxes
• a local food hall with stalls small businesses can afford
• Sports Area - a public roller hockey rink (pipe dream) or a mini soccer pitch/basketball court. With the Gargoyles in town, outdoor public roller hockey is a cost effective way to introduce kids/adults to the sport. Any ice hockey family would know the extreme startup/continued cost to play. An example would be the roller rink in southern village in Chapel Hill that has two basketball courts next to it.
• a play area for kids of all ages and abilities
• a big lawn with a stage, picnic areas and shade trees for festivals and concerts
• no new parking deck, since there’s already one across the street
• a walkway from the depot straight through to Market St

Any public money for this site should come with:

• a real public design process
• open bidding
• local vendors
• public space attached
• every term posted online before a vote

I’m not against growth or business. I want the biggest decisions in this city made out in the open, so we have more to put toward the things people need most.

If I got things wrong, put it in the comments so we all can learn more.

If you’re running for council or county commission, I’d honestly like to know where you stand.

I love this city!

Sources:

• Austin incentive transparency (KUT)
• Austin City Auditor
• NC hearing rules for incentives (UNC SOG)
• Guilford revaluation estimate (WFDD)
• How Guilford values homes vs. commercial (Guilford County)
• Greensboro data center moratorium (Journal Now)
• Dream Center status (WHQR)
• Bellemeade and the land sale request (Public Integrity Watch)
• Bellemeade sale terms (FOX8)
• Samet, GSO35, LGC watch list (Public Integrity Watch)
• Utility spending and rates (Public Integrity Watch)
• Regional sewer study (Public Integrity Watch)
• News & Record site purchase (FOX8)
• Second tract on Church St (News & Record)

Hello! I wanted to ask if anyone has recommendations for plumbers in the area. My bathtub is clogged and nothing I do seems to be working 🥲

Thank you in advance!!

Looking for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) for migraines and neck pain. Any recommendations? Dr. Michael Rigby gets good reviews but is not currently taking new patients. Not looking for chiropractic but an excellent PT or medical massage might do the trick. Willing to travel a bit for quality. Thanks

Which pumpkin patch/festival is better? For context, my daughter is 1 and her cousin is 2. We want to go on Sunday. Thoughts?

Title says most. But I’m looking to donate like 10-15 pairs of sneakers somewhere. I have downsized my collection and want to go somewhere that isn’t going to make money off of them. They are all name brand Jordan’s Nike etc. I don’t want to make money off of them. I’d rather them go to people who don’t have shoes or really need them. I was looking into the women’s domestic violence program but it wasn’t really clear. So if anyone knows of anywhere I can take them please let me know.

My family is getting together in December. Is there a place where we can rent (reasonable) to do family photos? Barber parks rec room is booked, Bur-mil hasn’t emailed me back yet, and the hotels want a minimum of $400. There will be about 35 of us so a decent amount of space is necessary. Thanks in advance!

Find your county's early vote totals at YOUR county board of elections' website to keep track! Make your voice heard! This is for Guilford County! Way to GO, Guilford!! Early voting - JUST DO IT!!

#EarlyVoting

I don't have a Costco or Sam's club membership and im looking to buy some good quality meat without breaking the bank. Mainly steaks. Is walmart and food lion my only option? What about el mercadito? Any recommendations?

Hey all. I (25m) just moved to Elon NC from Saint Louis and haven’t been to Greensboro in almost a decade. What are things to do around to meet people and singles? Country life is kicking my butt , so hoping to make some friends and meet new people!!

Side note: Also if you guys know of anywhere hiring, that would be great, thanks!😅

Hi everyone! I’m planning to take the DAT at either the Prometric center on Centerview Drive in Greensboro or the one on Spring Forest Road in Raleigh. Has anyone taken their exam at either location? How was your experience, and which would you recommend? Thanks!

Driving through greensboro, Jamestown, and High Point and saw a whole bunch of helicopters. I think i saw 4 total. Dont think ive ever seen that many all at once, all over.

While driving toward town, I just saw a Medium black dog w/white toes (at least on one foot),eating trash on the southbound side, just north of Florida. Has a red or maybe pink collar. I’m afraid that I might spook him if I try to approach him/her.
Will help hold off traffic if anyone wants to try to secure him. I have a leash and dog treats available.

Now that Europa is closed, there is no bar near Tanger for before event drinks.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Does anyone have recommendations on good apartments and apartments to avoid? I'm just looking for a simple 1 bedroom apartment, and hopefully, utilities are covered and affordable (less than $1000). I don't smoke or have pets. I don't mind studio apartments.

Ive been out of a truck for a little over a year. Im looking for a cdl refresher course thats affordable in greensboro or surrounding areas. Any advice?

Here's the Meetup link to sign up for those interested!

https://meetu.ps/e/Qgl1w/11T27J/i

on my tiki tok, reports of a 1000 person riot at Cookout on Lawndale late last night 10/16. Que paso?

edit: 1,000 person riot

The good times and great oldies.

I still miss him. He was a brother and an asshole. If you had the chance to know him, consider yourself blessed.

https://youtu.be/g_mz37rfCLU?si=ffs4EbeyWTQGWfvO

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows of any metal fabricators in or around GSO, perhaps cnc, water jet or laser, who may be willing to cut some cast iron for me. Seems almost all only do industrial work so wanted to see if anyone has any tips.

I'm at UNCG and looking to have my car checked. I'm not from the Greensboro area and have issues with the car shaking when breaking and reversing slowly. I've been to 2 Firestones where I'm from, but they both have given me completely different reasons for the issues and I don't trust them at this point. Any suggestions where to take my car? Thanks.