Airport/Whitaker Park Plan

Meetings

9/8/2020 Winston-Salem City Council Public Hearing

The Winston-Salem City Council held a public hearing on the Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan on September 8, 2020, and unanimously adopted the plan.

3/12/2020 City-County Planning Board Public Hearing 

Two citizens spoke at the City County Planning Board public hearing on March 12, 2020 regarding the draft Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan. The draft plan was unanimously recommended by the Planning Board at this meeting.

2/13/2020 Plan Review Drop-in Meeting 

Thirty-five people attended the final community meeting, which was held at the Smith Reynolds Airport terminal building on Thursday, February 13, 2020.  Citizens came by to review, discuss, comment, and ask questions about the draft strategic plan that will be presented to local officials for approval.

1/16/2020 3rd Community Meeting 

Fifty people attended the 3rd community meeting for the Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan held at the Smith Reynolds Airport terminal building.  Revisions and additions to the economic development recommendations presented at the 2nd meeting were discussed at this meeting, including:

• Providing written background information about five historic neighborhoods surrounding Smith Reynolds Airport—Montview, Bowen Park, Castle Heights, Carver Lake Estates, and Northwood Estates,
• Providing a chronological background on the development of the Innovation Quarter,
• Revising the boundaries of a proposed streetscape plan to be prepared by a consultant,
• Adding a recommendation that compatible buffering treatments be used to soften the impact of new businesses while protecting the character of adjoining neighborhoods,
• Adding a recommendation describing the financial benefits of investing in an established  Qualified Opportunity Fund within Winston-Salem’s Opportunity Zone, which is located in portions of the strategic planning area, and
• Listing two business assistance programs offered by Forsyth Tech.

Final site plans of potential streetscape and development improvements for selected locations on Akron Drive and North Liberty Street were presented and reviewed at the meeting.  The need for new grocery stores to serve the planning area was also discussed at this meeting.

More details on these revised recommendations are found under the “Documents” tab on this page.

12/5/2019 2nd Community Meeting 

Close to 50 people attended the 2nd community meeting for the Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan held at the Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center.  Citizens discussed proposed economic development recommendations, including:

• Maximizing the benefits of Smith Reynolds Airport and Whitaker Park’s proximity to Downtown and the Innovation Quarter,
• Making improvements to Smith Reynolds Airport and the surrounding area to become a better aesthetic gateway to Winston-Salem, particularly for air travelers,
• Recruiting aviation/aerospace-related businesses to Smith Reynolds Airport, Whitaker Park, Brookwood Business Park, and nearby business areas,
• Cultivating the job skills of area residents of all ages, and
• Informing existing business owners of available business assistance programs offered by local governments and agencies.

Preliminary site plans of potential streetscape and development improvements for selected locations on Akron Drive and North Liberty Street were presented at the second meeting.

More details on these recommendations are found under the “Documents” tab on this page.

10/17/2019 Kickoff Meeting 

Over 100 people attended the public kickoff meeting for the Smith Reynolds Airport/Whitaker Park Strategic Area Plan held at Carver High School on October 17, 2019. The kickoff meeting allowed citizens to give input on how future development at Smith Reynolds Airport and Whitaker Park can spur additional business growth in the area.  Discussion also centered on ways to improve the appearance of areas along Akron Drive and Liberty Street, the main business corridors in the area. Citizen suggestions included recruiting aviation-related companies; offering aviation-related work training programs; and adding street trees, street lighting, sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus stations along Liberty Street and Akron Drive. The plan area encompasses 2,900 acres and includes businesses and neighborhoods adjacent to Smith Reynolds Airport and Whitaker Park.