By Steve Gilliam , University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5619
Posted 7-30-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG and its surrounding neighbors have developed the UNCG Neighborhood Consortium in hopes of continuing to foster collaboration between the community and the university.
The group is comprised of representatives from the university, neighborhoods and merchants in the vicinity of UNCG. It is coordinated by Mike Byers, assistant vice chancellor for business affairs.
“The mission of the consortium is to play a key role in keeping the lines of communication open between UNCG and our surrounding neighborhoods,” Byers said. “This will hopefully integrate neighborhood stability into the process of planning and operating a growing campus and a vibrant campus community.”
Neighborhood groups that are actively engaged in the consortium include College Hill, College Park, Greater Glenwood, Lindley Park, Mayflower, Sunset Hills, and Westerwood. In addition, the Greensboro, Lee Street and Tate Street merchants associations have participated.
The City of Greensboro sends representatives from its departments of Transportation, Planning, Police, Greensboro Coliseum and Housing and Community Development. The group hopes to include local developers and property managers in future meetings. It plans to meet three times a year. The next meeting is scheduled in August.
The initial meeting was held in 2008. The group discussed information on the UNCG Master Plan Update, especially projects that could directly affect neighborhoods. The second meeting in the spring of this year resulted in the establishment of a charge. The consortium will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in the pursuit of a great place to live, learn and serve. Topics of discussion at the meetings have included the railroad right of way and a railroad underpass between the campus and Lee Street.
“There were occasions in the past when UNCG and the neighborhoods surrounding it seemed to develop trust issues largely due to a lack of communication, and the UNCG Neighborhood Consortium has helped to overcome that problem,” said Marsh Prause, who represents the Westerwood neighborhood. “The consortium is opening and maintaining lines of communication among UNCG and nearby neighborhoods that foster mutually beneficial collaboration in areas such as crime prevention, traffic control and land use.
“UNCG and the larger community have much to gain by coming together and working together, and the Neighborhood Consortium is one initiative that is already making that happen.”
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