Greensboro’s Big Three: What Kotis, Zimmerman, and Carroll are building — and how it touches Midtown Idlewood
Greensboro keeps reinventing itself block by block. Here’s the quick, human version of what three familiar names are doing now — and why your Midtown Idlewood streets might feel a little busier, greener, and buzzier over the next few years.
1) Marty Kotis — Westover Gallery of Shops, Midtown
Address: Westover Gallery of Shops, 1410–1420 Westover Terrace, Greensboro, NC 27408
What’s happening
The oft-teased Publix at Westover Terrace has been scrapped following a years-long legal saga unrelated to grocery operations. A federal court awarded just compensation to Kotis this spring, and the Midtown grocery plan was officially declared “off.” WFMY News 2+2WFMY News 2+2
The Westover site still spans a high-visibility block where smaller, neighborhood-scale concepts could slide in (boutique retail, food, services). The center itself is documented across 1410–1420 Westover Terrace. LoopNetMapQuestWanderlog
What that means for Idlewood
Fewer delivery trucks and grocery-rush turn-ins on Wendover for now.
Real opportunity for right-sized, local-first tenants that match your eco-quirky, walkable vibe.
What to watch
Any re-tenanting announcements Kotis makes for Westover’s empty bays.
Smaller footprints with outdoor seating or artful storefronts would be a Midtown win.
2) Andy Zimmerman — South Elm & Gate City, Downtown/South End
Primary site: the gravel lot at the corner of South Elm Street & Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC
Nearby anchors: AZ Development HQ, 620 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27406; Forge Greensboro makerspace, 219 W Lewis St, Greensboro, NC 27406
What’s happening
Zimmerman (AZ Development) has proposed a mixed-use plan for the South Elm/Gate City corner: apartments, structured parking, and flexible maker/market/classroom space — essentially more places to live, build, and gather downtown. City boards have been reviewing options and timing. WFMY News 2
His ecosystem around South End/Forge supports small manufacturers, artists, and startups — the kind of tenants that keep storefronts interesting. AZ DevDowntown GreensboroForge Greensboro - NC Makerspace
What that means for Idlewood
Walkable perks: more nearby dining, studios, and services, without driving across town.
Parking and construction will need careful staging, but long-term it nudges the area toward pedestrian-friendly, maker-centric energy.
What to watch
Final site plan details (number of units, parking layout, any greenway-facing live/work).
Coordination with the Bragg Street/Greenway edges to keep it bike- and foot-friendly. WFMY News 2Reddit
3) Roy Carroll — Carroll at Parkside, Ballpark District
Location: Eugene St & Bellemeade St, directly across from First National Bank Field (the Grasshoppers’ ballpark), Downtown Greensboro
What’s happening
Ground has begun for a major mixed-use node: an AC Hotel (about 150–161 rooms) with a rooftop bar/restaurant and pool, 300-plus apartments, and significant retail/meeting space. This is a multi-year skyline-shaper. WXIIHotel OnlineThe Carroll CompaniesWXLV
What that means for Idlewood
More reasons to walk to shows, dinners, and ballgames — and more visitors discovering nearby neighborhoods like yours.
Expect some event-day traffic pulses; ask the city for safer crossings, wayfinding, and bike lanes that connect Midtown to the ballpark district.
What to watch
Streetscape plans and pedestrian links between Bellemeade/Eugene and Wendover corridors.
Retail mix (local food and services keep dollars close to home).
Practical next steps for Midtown Idlewood neighbors
Speak up for human-scaled design: trees, shade, protected bike lanes, benches, and street lighting that feels safe on foot.
Push for local-first leasing: coffee, bakeries, repair shops, studios, and services that residents actually use.
Ask for green-buffered edges facing homes, plus stormwater-smart landscaping (native plants, low-mow meadows, permeable paths).
Handy “ask list” you can send to city staff or developers
Safer mid-block crosswalks on approach streets to major projects
Traffic calming near neighborhood entries (speed cushions, neck-downs, or raised intersections)
Secure bike parking and scooter corrals at every new building
Wayfinding that actually points people to Midtown’s small businesses
A pocket-park or plaza per project phase, not just “someday”
