Page 4 - Greensboro, NC-GSO 2040 Comprehensive Plan

LETTER FROM MAYOR

In 2018, when we started the process of planning for what Now, as we present the plan to community, the world has changed.
Greensboro would be in the year 2040, we were excited about the We are in the midst of a pandemic that has each of us reflecting
myriad of possibilities that we could identify, build and enhance on our world, our city, and our home. We are craving connectivity
to make our city even better. We wanted to gather ideas from our with people, technology, and our city in new ways, now more than
residents and shape them into a united vision to guide us over the ever. Residents are relishing our green spaces, supporting our local
next twenty years. I’m happy to report we did just that--Through businesses and walking and biking more. Individuals are realizing
160 public events, focus groups, and surveys we cultivated over new needs and new inequities that need to be addressed in our
6000 responses from all neighborhoods, ages, and races. Those community. We are all wondering what the world will look like going
thoughtful contributions created a foundation of values and big forward—Will we go to an office? Where will we gather? What will
ideas that were used to sculpt our comprehensive plan, GSO2040. jobs look like? How do we make sure everyone has opportunity to
Nancy Vaughan thrive?
Mayor After collecting the input, it was clear there was a bold vision for
Greensboro---to be the Best Mid-Size City in America. This We don’t know everything our future holds, but this isn’t the first
means a city that is greener, more equitable and inclusive, and challenge Greensboro has faced and it certainly won’t be the
continues to make history. We are united in wanting to make last. GSO2040 provides a flexible framework we can use to adapt
Greensboro a City of Inspiration. A city that inspires us each and to challenges, obstacles, and growth along the way. Crafted as a
every day and serves as inspiration to other cities around the general guidebook, the plan reinforces those values we hold dear
globe. such as our greenspaces and community connections, identifies
areas we need to address such as sustainability, equity, housing and
Once we had captured this lofty vision, we got to work on the technology connectivity, and presents strategies to ensure we are
structure to make it happen. As the plan came together it was economically competitive.
top of mind to create a framework that was malleable. Our plan
needed to provide guidance to help us reach our goals, but As Mayor of Greensboro, I am excited for the possibilities of our City’s
enough flexibility to shift as the world surges forward with new future, and even more thrilled about this roadmap to get there. I
technologies, trends, and desires. With elasticity in mind, the vision encourage each of you to dive into this plan and join us as we make
was distilled into big ideas, goals and strategies. These would be Greensboro North Carolina the BEST Midsize in America and a true
the tools to guide the implementation to reach our vision. City of Inspiration!
1 |GSO 2040 Comprehensive Plan