Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway: A 25-Year Journey to Urban Connectivity and Art

The completion of Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway marks the culmination of a 25-year vision to create a vital urban artery, connecting the city’s core with a unique blend of accessible public space and public art. Dabney Sanders, the project manager, recently detailed the intricate process behind the greenway’s development in an interview, shedding light on the strategies employed to overcome acquisition challenges and foster community engagement.

The Downtown Greenway project, which spans 25 years from conception to the opening of its final section, offers valuable insights for urban planners and city leaders aiming to develop similar linear parks and active transportation corridors. Sanders emphasized that the project’s success was significantly influenced by unique opportunities within Greensboro’s urban fabric, particularly the availability of underutilized city-owned land and a disused railroad corridor.

Why it matters

Acquiring the necessary right-of-way was a critical hurdle, but Greensboro approached it with a multi-pronged strategy. On the east side, the city was able to repurpose a lane of the six-lane divided highway, Morrow Boulevard, which carried minimal traffic. This allowed for the conversion of existing city-owned land, negating the need for extensive and costly right-of-way purchases.

On the west side, the project leveraged a disused railroad corridor. While initially hoped to be a simple abandonment, acquiring this corridor required negotiation with a single commercial user. The city was successful in this endeavor, though it did involve a purchase, demonstrating that railroad corridors, even with limited current use, retain significant value.

Beyond these larger opportunities, the project involved acquiring smaller, piecemeal parcels of land. In one instance, the city was able to purchase a property that had previously housed a gas station and convenience store, strategically located at a key corner. This acquisition was deemed essential for the greenway’s connectivity and flow.

A notable aspect of the project’s land acquisition was the cooperation received from some private property owners. In a particularly impactful case on the northern section, where the right-of-way was constrained, a property owner who strongly supported the project not only agreed to the use of their land but donated the necessary right-of-way. This generosity was motivated by a belief in the project’s community benefits and the anticipated increase in their own property values. Sanders expressed deep gratitude for this, noting that outside of the railroad negotiations, the right-of-way acquisition process was less painful than anticipated.

Addressing resident concerns was also paramount, particularly for the final western branch section, which runs directly adjacent to residential backyards. This section, built on the former railroad corridor, presented an opportunity for significant improvement over its previous state. However, residents raised valid concerns about privacy and security, such as people walking into their backyards.

To mitigate these concerns, the project team held extensive meetings with affected residents to communicate the vision and address their anxieties. A key commitment made was the construction of fences along all adjacent backyards at the project’s expense. Furthermore, gates were offered and installed within these fences, controlled by the property owners, providing them with direct access to the greenway while maintaining a sense of security. The fact that all but one of the approximately 16 affected residents requested a gate was seen as a strong indicator of their acceptance and appreciation of the project.

The Downtown Greenway is more than just a pathway; it is an integrated art experience. Throughout the route, significant art installations have been incorporated, enhancing the urban landscape and providing cultural enrichment for users. These installations range from sculptures to murals, curated to complement the greenway’s design and reflect the city’s identity. The inclusion of art was a deliberate choice to transform the greenway into a destination, encouraging longer stays and fostering a deeper connection between residents and their urban environment.

The project’s success offers several key takeaways for other municipalities. Firstly, identifying and leveraging underutilized public land, such as old highway lanes or abandoned rail corridors, can significantly reduce acquisition costs and timelines. Secondly, proactive and transparent community engagement, especially with residents directly impacted by the project, is crucial for building trust and achieving buy-in. Offering tangible solutions to address concerns, like the fences and gates for adjacent homeowners, can turn potential opposition into support.

Finally, the integration of public art elevates a greenway from a simple transit route to a vibrant public space. It creates a unique identity, attracts visitors, and contributes to the overall quality of urban life. The Greensboro Downtown Greenway stands as a testament to the power of long-term planning, creative problem-solving, and community collaboration in shaping more connected, livable, and culturally rich cities.

Key facts

Project Name | Greensboro Downtown Greenway
Project Manager | Dabney Sanders
Project Duration | 25 years
Key Acquisition Strategies | Repurposing city-owned highway lanes, rail-to-trail conversion, strategic land purchase, private landowner donation.
Community Engagement | Resident meetings, fence and gate installation for adjacent properties.
Source: Streetsblog USA (https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/05/21/talking-headways-podcast-greensboros-downtown-greenway)

Key facts

• Source: Streetsblog USA
• Date: 2026-05-21T16:25:31+00:00
• Topic: Talking Headways Podcast: Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway