They crowded around the third-floor bar at Natty Greene’s tonight, nearly 90 people attending the first meeting of the new Downtown Residents' Association of Greensboro.
"I’m one of you. I live on the 9th floor" at Center Pointe, said Mayor Robbie Perkins, who was the guest speaker.
The meeting was to let the crowd know what the goals of the organization -- they use the acronym DRAG -- are. Among them two over-arching goals: forming a sense of community downtown and advocating for safety.
Dianne Ziegler, one of the organizers, said they also are looking for volunteers to help at upcoming downtown events.
Following the organizational details, Mayor Perkins trumpeted the proposal to build a performing arts center downtown, saying, "I’m fired up about this performing arts center. We’ve got to make this happen," he said to strong applause. And he disagreed with those arguing that now is not the time to push for a $30 million bond referendum to help pay for it. "Now is the perfect time to pursue the project," he said.
On another topic, the mayor said he believes the controversy over loud noise from nightclubs can be resolved. The city is considering an ordinance to limit noise levels downtown and throughout the city.
Incidentally, the mayor said that, contrary to some reports, he’s not bothered personally by the noise from his two-bedroom condo at Center Pointe.
The turnout for the night was almost a who’s who of downtowners. Longtime South Elm residents Judy and Dave Hill, Mack and Mack co-owner John Davis, George Scheer of the Elsewhere Artists Collaborative, Ruth and Charlie Jones of Greensboro Grub, Agnes Brame, co-owner of Jules Antiques, Bob Bates of Momentum Developers, Donovan McKnight of Face-to-Face, marketing consultant Meryl Mullane, city council members Zack Matheny, Jim Kee and Nancy Hoffmann, along with Jeff Yetter of Iron Hill Investments, Also, Lea Frederick of Southside and downtown supporters Carol Brown and Emma Keith Olson. And many thanks to Julia Cox of United Way for shooting the above photo.
Next month’s meeting will be on Tuesday, March 20, at Bin 33 restaurant.