Downtown Development

Fourth Street has many restaurants

This Division is responsible for preparing and implementing economic development plans for the downtown area of Winston-Salem including the Business Loan Program, Downtown Rehabilitation Loan Program, available commercial properties, maps, and street closings. Implementation activities include:

Downtown Development

Recruitment and retention of businesses.
Review of public policies impacting downtown development.
Negotiation of public investment for downtown projects.
Site acquisition for redevelopment.
Design and construction of downtown infrastructure.

Restaurant Row
Restaurant Row is a project that recruited 12 new dinner restaurants within a compact area of downtown, generally along 4th Street between the Stevens Center and Main Street and in the Arts District on Trade Street. Emphasis was placed on the recruitment of applicants that were already in the restaurant ownership and management business, thus increasing the chances of success for the enterprises. The city's Economic Development Revolving Loan Program can be used to help finance restaurant businesses when the applicants can demonstrate a need for city assistance.

Restaurant Sidewalk Cafe Dinning
The city may issue a yearly permit for side walk dinning. Please review the permit application and submit by January 1 of each year. Restaurants must have a current permit or sidewalk cafe privelages may be revoked. The permit requires an insurance policy that indemnifies the city against liability. If you are operating without the permit you are in violation of City Ordinance Sec. 74-291 and 74-292.

For further information on this program and other city programs please contact; Ruben Gonzales at (336)747-7474.

DOWNTOWN BUILDING REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Funding is available to downtown property owners and tenants through this program. Please follow this link for a summary of the program and eligibility requirements. (Application [pdf])

Downtown Commercial Properties
The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership maintains a database of available property for sale and lease and offers it as a resource for individuals and businesses interested in
locating in the downtown area.

*The Downtown Plan (Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership)
*Downtown Development Map (2000-2005) [pdf]