City, surrounding area to be analyzed for development
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 22, 2014 1:46 PM
Downtown Goldsboro and several surrounding areas will be analyzed for development potential over the next 60 to 90 days.
Goldsboro has entered into a $26,000 contract with University of North Carolina School of Government Development Finance Initiative to conduct the study. The areas being analyzed include downtown, adjacent urban areas and entryway corridors. Residents will not notice any tangible work being done downtown outside of the already existing Streetscape project, as the money pays for analysis and plan development only.
The money will come out of Goldsboro's unassigned fund balance, after it was allocated during a recent council meeting.
"I'm hoping developing this plan will spur development," said Assistant City Manager Angel Wright-Lanier. "I don't think it's wasted money, because even if we don't act on it immediately it provides a solid plan that can be implemented in the future for development. But I am confident something will come out of it."
What DFI is conducting is called a "high level market analysis," Ms. Wright-Lanier said. This analyzes the aforementioned areas to make sure there are appropriate numbers of restaurants and amenities, as well as determining which areas are feasible for future development.
The original cost of the contract was $30,000, but DFI was able to use grant money they receive from the government to lower the price to $26,000, Ms. Wright-Lanier said.
Ms. Wright-Lanier also said she plans to apply for a grant from the Department of Commerce, which would reimburse $25,000 of the contract, leaving the city to pay only $1,000 for the development plan.
"To me, I see an opportunity," Ms. Wright-Lanier said. "I'm excited about what we can, and do, have."