Greensboro’s Big Three Developers: Money, Influence, and Public Record Questions
I got a comment from a random website visitor who expressed disgust at an article I posted about three developers in Greensboro. A few days later, Eric and I were e-biking the Greenway when we met a small business owner who had plenty to say about those same developers. His perspective was passionate, opinionated, and made me pause. While I don’t have a hard stance either way on Roy Carroll, Marty Kotis, or Andy Zimmerman, his words reminded me that curiosity is often the best starting point. I’ve been writing about these figures for a while — like in What’s Happening with Greensboro’s Big Three Developers and What Kotis, Zimmerman, and Carroll Are Building and How It Touches Midtown Idlewood — but this conversation sent me back into the archives to ask tougher questions.
Greensboro is in the middle of a mural renaissance, with art transforming old walls into landmarks. As I’ve shared before in Greensboro’s Mural Renaissance: The Artists and Their Patrons, developers often sit on both sides of that story: funders of public art, and decision-makers in zoning meetings. And as anyone who has tangled with permitting knows (see Why I Trust My Contractors Over Municipal Permitting Systems Nationwide), the system isn’t always as clean as we’d hope. So where does that leave the biggest names in town?
How Greensboro’s Big Three Built Their Money
Roy Carroll (The Carroll Companies): Started in homebuilding in the early 1980s, scaled into apartments and mixed-use, and is now listed by Forbes as a billionaire developer with thousands of apartment units and self-storage facilities. Strategy: buy land, hold long term, keep leverage low.
Marty Kotis (Kotis Companies / Kotis Street Art): Began in the 1990s with retail and restaurants, later turned to culture-led placemaking. In 2020, he launched the Kotis Street Art Outdoor Gallery, using public art to shape community identity and foot traffic.
Andy Zimmerman (AZ Development): Known for adaptive reuse, Zimmerman buys and restores older/historic buildings, often turning them into mixed spaces for food, art, and small businesses.
For a deep dive into their projects, murals, and Midtown impact, see my earlier post: Greensboro’s Big Three: What Kotis, Zimmerman, and Carroll Are Building and How It Touches Midtown Idlewood.
| Developer | Key Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Carroll | Formed RE Carroll Construction with father | Early 1980s | Roots in homebuilding before branching into apartments |
| Roy Carroll | Hyatt Place at Bellemeade project | 2019 | Downtown mixed-use hotel opening |
| Marty Kotis | Kotis Street Art Outdoor Gallery opens | Aug 2020 | 46 mural panels with local and international artists |
| Andy Zimmerman | Gateway Building renovation | 2016 onward | Example of adaptive reuse in Greensboro |
What’s Documented in the Public Record
City Council meetings, closed sessions, and lawsuits show some developer-related controversies, but also highlight how much remains redacted or unresolved.
| Item | Date | Status | Public Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geeksboro / Fire Inspection controversy | Jan 2017 | Allegation reported | Triad City Beat coverage |
| Kotis v. U.S. (Publix site valuation) | Apr 2025 | Federal court ruling in Kotis’ favor | WFMY News 2 |
| SBI probe into Council member Zack Matheny | 2025 | Ongoing investigation | The Assembly NC |
| Closed session minutes | 2017–2025 | Partial, redacted | City of Greensboro archive |
What’s Alleged vs What’s Proven
Proven/Documented:
Roy Carroll’s scale and wealth are documented in Forbes and company filings.
Kotis won a federal eminent domain case in 2025.
Zimmerman’s projects are verifiable through city permits and building reuse.
Alleged/Unproven:
Claims of retaliatory inspections (2017 Geeksboro) are in media reports, but no City minutes confirm wrongdoing.
SBI is investigating Council member Zack Matheny in 2025 — but as of now, no findings are published.
Why This Matters for Greensboro
When I wrote this earlier profile of developers’ impact, I framed it as a look at growth and opportunity. But after talking to a small business owner and diving into council archives, I realize the story isn’t just about new buildings. It’s also about power, influence, transparency, and the balance between community and capital.
Final Thoughts: Questions Still Remain — and Here’s What You Can Do
Even after digging through minutes, videos, lawsuits, and reporting, questions remain about how decisions are made and how influence flows. If you want to stay informed (and make your voice count), start here:
- Read minutes & watch meetings: City Council Meetings portal (agendas, minutes, videos) · YouTube playlist of Council meetings · Greensboro Television Network (live & on-demand)
- Attend hearings (know the dates): 2025 Council Meeting Schedule (PDF) · Dynamic meetings calendar · Full City calendar
- Submit a public comment / sign up to speak: Council FAQ (comment process) · Official speaker & comment form
- Support local journalism that tracks accountability: Triad City Beat · WFMY News 2 · The Assembly (NC)
- Plug into neighborhood & small-biz networks: City Neighborhood Planning · Housing & Neighborhood Development · Greensboro Unified Neighborhood Association
When are meetings? Regular Greensboro City Council meetings are typically the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 PM in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber. Always confirm via the annual schedule (PDF) or the live calendar.
When are Greensboro City Council meetings?
Regular meetings are typically the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber at Melvin Municipal Office Building (300 W. Washington St.). Always double-check the Council Meeting Schedule or dynamic calendar before attending.
