By Nicky Smith
May 31, 2025
Candidate for Greensboro City Council
I still remember being a kid in Winston-Salem in the 1960s when my mother took me to the downtown department stores. Those shopping trips weren’t just errands – they were social events. We’d run into family friends on the sidewalks, stop to chat with neighbors, and I’d watch in fascination as the downtown bustled with life. There was something magical about that atmosphere, that sense of community you could feel just walking down the street.
That memory from Winston-Salem has stayed with me through all these years in business, through every board meeting and community gathering I’ve attended. It’s what drives me to run for City Council District 4, because I know what a thriving downtown feels like, and I believe we can create that same energy again in downtown Greensboro.
Last month, I drove through downtown with my family, and they asked me why so many buildings were empty. How do you explain to your family that a place once full of life now struggles to attract visitors after 5 p.m.? But then I thought about cities like Greenville, South Carolina, which was facing similar challenges just twenty years ago and has transformed into one of the most vibrant downtowns in the Southeast.
If Greenville, South Carolina, can do it, so can we. We have the bones of a great city, beautiful historic architecture, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, our universities, and most importantly, people who care deeply about this community.
The truth is, we’re already seeing signs of the revival we need. The decision to tear down that old Bellemeade Street parking deck isn’t just about removing a damaged eyesore; it’s about making space for the kind of mixed-use development that brings people downtown to live, work, and play. When people live downtown, they shop downtown, and when they shop downtown, restaurants and entertainment venues follow.
I’ve also been encouraged by the Downtown Greensboro Streetscape Master Plan. As someone who has walked these streets for business meetings countless times, I know how important it is to have sidewalks that invite you to stroll, lighting that makes you feel safe, and green spaces that make you want to linger. These aren’t just pretty additions, they’re economic development tools.
The DGI Catalyst Grant program is exactly the kind of smart policy we need more of. When I talk to business owners, they tell me that small financial incentives can make the difference between taking a risk on downtown or playing it safe somewhere else. Look at what Downtown Greenway has already accomplished – over $650 million in new investment. That’s not an accident; that’s what happens when you give people a reason to see downtown as a destination.
For the past forty-five years, I’ve built relationships with investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders throughout North Carolina. I’ve seen what makes projects succeed and what causes them to fail. I’ve negotiated deals, managed budgets, and most importantly, I’ve learned how to bring different groups together around a common vision.
But here’s what sets me apart: I’m not just thinking about attracting any businesses to downtown. I’m thinking about the right businesses that will complement each other, create jobs for our neighbors, and add to the unique character that makes Greensboro special. We don’t need another generic strip mall. We need the kind of locally owned restaurants, boutiques, and services that give a place its soul.
When I imagine downtown Greensboro five years from now, I see young professionals choosing to live in converted lofts above thriving small businesses. I see families walking to dinner on Friday nights and kids playing in pocket parks scattered throughout the district. I see food trucks gathering for weekend festivals and local artists displaying their work in storefront galleries.
This isn’t wishful thinking, it’s a proven model that cities across the South have used to revitalize their cores. We need leadership that understands both the business side of development and the community side of what makes a neighborhood feel like home.
I’m not running for City Council because I have all the answers. I’m running because I have the experience to ask the right questions, the relationships to bring resources to bear, and the commitment to stay engaged for the long haul. Downtown revitalization isn’t a one-term project; it’s a sustained effort that requires someone willing to show up, listen, and work.
Every time I drive past those empty storefronts, I think about those shopping trips with my mother and the vibrant community atmosphere I experienced there. But more than that, I think about the downtown I want to help create here in Greensboro, where families can experience that same sense of community and connection.
We have the opportunity, we have the momentum, and now we need the leadership to make it happen. I’m asking for your vote for City Council District 4. Let’s bring back the heart of Greensboro together.
Nicky Smith is a candidate for the Greensboro City Council with 45 years of business leadership experience. I bring the business leadership skills necessary to bring back the heart of Greensboro.
Please donate to this campaign to bring Nicky Smith’s leadership, wisdom, and common sense to the Greensboro City Council. Make a difference by making a $20 donation today.
