Live, Work, Play: Greensboro’s Newest Development Brings It All Together

By Nicky Smith
March 26, 2025

Last night, Greensboro saw something extraordinary: a vision for our city’s future that mirrors the one I’ve been proud to stand behind. Local developer Andy Zimmerman announced a bold, four-phase project to expand Forge Greensboro — the most significant community maker space in the Southeast — into a dynamic hub where people can work, play, and live.

This kind of development isn’t just about buildings and blueprints. It’s about people. It’s about families. And it’s about building a Greensboro where our children want to stay, our small businesses can grow, and innovation fuels opportunity.

A Makers City With a Mission

We’ve always known that Greensboro is a city of makers. It’s in our DNA. With places like Southend Brewery, Boxcar, and the original Forge Greensboro, Andy Zimmerman has been helping shape that identity for years. With this new project planned at the corner of Gate City Boulevard and Elm Street, that spirit is getting the space — and the spotlight — it deserves.

The new Forge Greensboro campus will nearly triple the size of the current facility. It will provide around-the-clock access to advanced tools and equipment — including welding and carpentry machines — empowering hobbyists to turn their passions into careers. These are the kinds of hands-on, job-ready skills that fuel the kind of economic development we need right now.

Why This Matters for Greensboro Families

As a candidate for City Council, I’ve been clear: Greensboro must be a place where families can thrive. That means safe neighborhoods, good schools, and — critically — access to good jobs. This project checks all those boxes.

Zimmerman’s plan includes affordable workforce housing, parking, open-air event space for community markets and maker fairs, and eventually, 64 new apartments. More housing means more families can put down roots, and more maker space means more career opportunities for young people who may not be heading to a traditional four-year college.

This isn’t just a project. It’s a blueprint for a balanced, thriving, family-first Greensboro.

A Catalyst for More Business and Investment

One thing is clear: businesses take notice when we invest in our people. Forge Greensboro is already attracting attention from major companies because of its commitment to real-world workforce development. These kinds of investments ripple through the community, creating not just jobs but momentum.

Projects like this will be a priority when I’m elected to City Council. They reflect the very best of Greensboro—innovation, inclusion, and integrity. With strong leadership, we can do even more to ensure these developments continue to benefit every corner of our city.

Let’s Keep Greensboro Growing — Together

We’re on the verge of something special in Greensboro. The Forge expansion is just one example of what’s possible when vision meets action. With over $430 million in recent capital investments and over 500 new jobs already announced, our city is moving in the right direction. But we must stay focused.

If elected, I will champion projects that support our local workforce, expand housing opportunities, and make Greensboro an even better place to raise a family. This city’s future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build together.

Let’s keep Greensboro growing — smartly, inclusively, and boldly.

Let’s build the future our city deserves. Greensboro is ready for a new era—let’s get to work.