Popular shopping area in Greensboro to see new development

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — New development is on the way to a popular shopping area in Greensboro.

More than 100 townhomes were approved to come to Highwoods Boulevard between the Jefferson Village Shopping Center and Hobbs Road.

The zoning was approved back in March, and now the 16-acre piece of property has several large pieces of equipment on the property moving dirt.

"I drive by it every single day," said Jessica Fisher-Eaton, who works at Steinway Piano Gallery.

Progress on the property has people talking.

"It was nice looking at all the trees and everything ... Now, there is no trees. Greensboro is becoming a concrete jungle," Maryann Grabasky said.

She has concerns about increased traffic.

"I don't like it ... You will never be able to get out to New Garden .. I don't like it," Grabasky said.

Others see this project as a path forward to much-needed housing.

"We do need it, and if it helps people have space to live in in a nice neighborhood and a very safe place, I think it is great," Debbie Blackwood said.

There is no word yet on the cost of the townhomes, but it adds to the housing stock and provides people with more options.

"Young people can just hardly get into housing. You either need money from parents for a big down payment or you can't do it or you have to buy something that is not exactly what you like and very small, and I've seen that with my own children," Blackwood said.

The land was approved for up to 136 townhomes.

"I am looking forward to it," Fisher-Eaton said.

She is hopeful the new homes will bring more foot traffic.

"I like it because I know it is going to bring more business in here, and I think this is also a nice walkable area," Fisher-Eaton said.

But she does have concerns about pedestrian safety.

"If it is going to be more walkable, you need to make sure people feel safe," Fisher-Eaton said.

FOX8 reached out to Crescent Communities, which is the development company out of Charlotte, to hear more about their designs and when we could see homes going up, but we are still waiting to hear back.