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A community-driven vision for the future

Bridge with city skyline in background. Cars and a green bus are under the bridge on a four-lane highway.

The development of the Forward 2045 comprehensive plan is currently in the second of four phases. | Photo by WStoday

Here’s how you can help shape the future. Outreach is underway for the Forward 2045 comprehensive plan. Once adopted, it will serve as the official guide for growth in the city of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

Why this is happening now

Forward 2045 will replace Legacy 2030, the current comprehensive plan that was adopted a decade ago. State law requires municipalities in North Carolina to have a plan that is maintained in order to continue applying zoning codes. The plan, while nationally recognized, is in need of updates.

How to get involved

Here’s where you come in. Nine public meetings are scheduled around the county during the month of October. The first one is happening today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts on North Spruce Street.

You’ll be asked what’s most important to you, and what you consider to be strengths and weaknesses where you live. Participants can provide input on these categories and concepts:

Amenities + entertainment options
Housing and neighborhoods
Community appearance
Economic development
Land preservation
Sustainability
Accessibility
Equity

The meetings are where you can share your specific feedback with planning staff. They have been collecting feedback from the community and board and committee members for the past year.

Mayors are encouraging residents to attend these sessions in addition to filling out an online survey. It takes five to 10 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish. It will close after Oct. 31.

What happens next

Input collected will be used to draft policies and recommendations. City and county leaders will hold public hearings and anticipate adopting Forward 2045 in the fall of 2024. The City-County Planning Board, Winston-Salem City Council, and Forsyth County Commissioners will use it when making decisions on new development, infrastructure investments, and other expenditures.

Asked

What’s a nickname you’ve heard or used for Winston-Salem residents?

Tell us what you call yourself

Events

Tuesday, Oct. 3

The Big Homie Comedy Open Mic | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 8-11 p.m. | Campus Gas, 1231 Polo Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Unwind and laugh along with local comedians or bring jokes of your own for this weekly open mic night.
Fall Container Class - Anything but Ordinary | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Reynolda Gardens – Education Wing, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem | $40-$50 | Bring a container from home and make a fall arrangement with guidance from lead horticulturalist Michelle Hawks. Registration is required.
Taste of Brasil: Samba class! | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Real World Ballroom, 690 Jonestown Rd., Winston-Salem | $25 | Learn the samba dance and meet new friends as part of this three-part series — experiencing Brazilian language, music, and food.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Canva Marketing Class with Allison Muldovan | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Keller Williams, 1100 S. Stratford Rd. Building C Ste. 310, Winston-Salem | Free | Learn tips and tricks to creating eye-catching designs and graphics using Canva.

More events to explore

Click here to have your event featured.

Announced

Congratulations to the winner of our WStoday Giveaway! Erin B. won $100 gift card to Rockin’ Jump, the trampoline center on North Point Boulevard.

Thank you to our promotional partner Crazy Running.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Sage and Salt Bistro plans to open in mid-October in the space formerly occupied by Willow’s Bistro in the old train station at 300 S. Liberty St. The restaurant will serve lunch + dinner, as well as craft beer and cocktails.

Cause

Register to participate in the Ardmore RAH! on Saturday, Oct. 21 before rates increase Oct. 15. The virtual and in-person event features a 5K, 10K, fun run, and food drive in the historic Ardmore neighborhood to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Biz

Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. is hosting a Founders Forum on Thursday, Oct. 5 to encourage more interconnectivity in the local startup community. Founders and employees of startups are encouraged to register for the free event happening on the fourth floor of 500 W. 5th St. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

Civic

West Ward residents, mark your calendar. Two community meetings happening this month will give updates on leaf collection, rezoning projects, and construction along Meadowlark Road. You can also meet Police Chief William Penn at the meetings on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at and Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Plan Ahead

If you missed Southern Charm at the Farm this past weekend, don’t worry. The shopping event returns to Tanglewood Park in Clemmons on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Vendor applications to sell goods at the spring show are open.

Number

~18,000. That’s how many people attended the first day of the Carolina Classic Fair on Friday, Sept. 29. Organizers say it was the highest opening day attendance since 2013. The fair runs through Sunday, Oct. 8.

Film

Fright night at the movies

RiverRun Retro Program returns in October with two horror classics

“Eyes Without a Face” is one of the least known and least seen horror classics. | Photos courtesy of RiverRun International Film Festival

RiverRun International Film Festival’s popular RiverRun Retro program is back just in time for spooky season. Brave moviegoers will get the chance to see two horror classics on the big screen at Marketplace Cinemas (2095 Peters Creek Pkwy). Here’s what’s showing when:

“Eyes Without a Face” on Saturday, Oct. 14

The French film released in 1960 has English subtitles.
Renata Jackson, a film historian at UNC School of the Arts, will introduce the film.
The movie is set in the French countryside. It focuses on an obsessive doctor’s attempts to restore his daughter’s face after her disfigurement.

“King Kong” on Saturday, Oct. 21

The first film in the “King Kong” franchise is celebrating 90 years.
Woodrow Hood, Wake Forest University’s Director of Film Studies, will introduce the film.
The movie tells the story of a giant ape who attempts to possess a young woman.

Both showings start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I’m not brave enough to watch scary movies and you certainly won’t catch me visiting any haunted attractions but I love Halloween because of the fun costumes and decorations. Plus, it’s an excuse to eat lots of candy.

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Share your vision for the future during Forward 2045 public meetings