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Guilford County's first African-American Sheriff wants to tear down the old county jail and build new law offices in its place for at least 600 workers. Guilford County commissioners approved a study. The lot is small and offices for 600 workers could mean something could be built at least 12 stories. He said a new building would be cheaper than renovation. Parking would also be needed so this could be a situation where offices could potentially be built above parking.
Guilford County's first African-American Sheriff wants to tear down the old county jail and build new law offices in its place for at least 600 workers. Guilford County commissioners approved a study. The lot is small and offices for 600 workers could mean something could be built at least 12 stories. He said a new building would be cheaper than renovation. Parking would also be needed so this could be a situation where offices could potentially be built above parking.
Of course there would be demand.......for the right size convention center of course....nobody is saying downtown needs a 500,000 square foot convention center or a 200,000 square foot one for that matter. If the Koury didn't exist that would be a different story. A modest 80,000 to 100,000 square foot facility is all downtown needs. The Koury wasn't built downtown because back in 1990 downtown was dead. No nightlife, hardly any restaurants or attractions. Having those kind of amenities within walking distance is vital. Downtown has changed dramatically since 1990.
No, the Koury Convention Center was built where it was because Joe Koury owned the land and the adjacent hotel and mall. He preemptively built his convention center in order to prevent one from being built downtown. Koury did a lot for G'boro, but he was no friend of downtown.
i wonder if it will be a controled explosive demolition.
And that is great news, that building is disgusting looking.
It is Brutalist architecture very popular "modern" architecture of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The same architect designed the newer Guilford County courthouse/city hall and Greene Street parking deck. I'm no fan of Brutalist architecture either so I'd welcome tearing down the old jail in this case because its just a big concrete box. But a new building for 600 workers will likely mean something taller than the old jail which is a border line midrise/highrise.
As far as the Guilford County Courthouse/city hall, I think those buildings should be preserved for many years to come despite my distaste for the style. There are some interesting shapes and design patterns and its one of those architectural styles that are vanishing. What is considered ugly today may be prized 40 or 50 years from now. Back in the late 1960 and early 1970s, many cities tore down early 20th century downtown commercial buildings because they were outdated, old or ugly for the times. Now cities are wishing they had preserved them. When you look at South Elm Street in Greensboro, people forget that Downtown had several blocks that looked like South Elm Street. Greene and Davie Streets were like that. You can still see a handful of those buildings. But South Elm is really the only preserved street from the late 19th century and early 20th century in downtown Greensboro.
Guilford County Courthouse/ Greensboro city hall designed by Argentina architect Eduardo Catalano
"New" Guilford County Courthouse
City hall
The old Guilford County Courthouse sits in the same block. Its mainly used for some county offices and Guilford County commissioners meetings.
It is Brutalist architecture very popular "modern" architecture of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The same architect designed the newer Guilford County courthouse/city hall and Greene Street parking deck. I'm no fan of Brutalist architecture either so I'd welcome tearing down the old jail in this case because its just a big concrete box. But a new building for 600 workers will likely mean something taller than the old jail which is a border line midrise/highrise.
The funny thing is that when you look at the vision statements in the 1960's and 70's, the Brutalist architecture was supposed to lure more people into downtowns by appealing to suburbanites by emulating the look and feel of 1960's and 70's suburbia. It's amazing how time and perspective changes the way we look at this.
When you look at South Elm Street in Greensboro, people forget that Downtown had several blocks that looked like South Elm Street. Greene and Davie Streets were like that. You can still see a handful of those buildings. But South Elm is really the only preserved street from the late 19th century and early 20th century in downtown Greensboro.
Davie street had that massive fire that destroyed a lot of it.
Davie street had that massive fire that destroyed a lot of it.
You're right. I was about 7 years old when it happened. You can still see tile on the ground near the edge of the street that use to be part of the entrances
Any updates on the Westin I came to Greensboro two weeks after closing on my apartment downtown. And it looks like there is no movement.
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