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🏢 Be the broker: Office conversion edition

Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?

Winston-Salem, NC skyline with the Reynolds Building

The City of Winston-Salem is home to more than 250,000 people, according to census.gov. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Office vacancies are at 16.46% as of 2022, slightly lower than Raleigh’s 2022 office vacancy rate of 17.51%. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular. Resources will be made available from 20+ programs across multiple agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We’re talking below-market loans, grants, and tax credits... all available to help take advantage of preexisting buildings to make more affordable housing.

Projects currently underway

Winston-Salem is ahead of office conversion trends in North Carolina, with the recent conversion of the Wachovia building and the Forsyth County Courthouse conversion back in 2015 — although both buildings were converted into luxury apartments, not affordable housing as defined by the City of Winston-Salem).

The Winston-Salem City Council approved a 10-year strategic plan at the end of 2023 that featured ambitious plans to utilize vacant office space. A public hearing on Monday, Feb. 5 will discuss raising the cap on building heights, which could lead to more conversion projects in the future.

Which vacant spaces would you like to see converted?

Have you passed an empty office building that would be a sweet apartment? How about some empty warehouses near public transportation that would make for a quick commute?

Tell us

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 24

synHERgy: Business Group Coaching for Women | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Sparq, 486 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Find support and solutions from other women business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Thursday, Jan. 25

Expand Your Talent Pipeline | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 2-3 p.m. | Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., 525 Vine St., Ste. 240, Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Learn how employers can create successful experiences for candidates through the hiring process.

Friday, Jan. 26

Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo | Friday, Jan. 26-Saturday, Jan. 27 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 2825 University Pkwy., Winston-Salem | $20 | See fan favorites like bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and women’s barrel racing during this rodeo competition.
“Witch” by Jen Silverman | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Mountcastle Forum, Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, 251 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem | $15 | Spirit Gum Theatre Company performs the story of a charming devil who arrives in a quiet village to bargain for souls.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Writing Workshop: Submitting Your Work to Journals, Agents, and Publishers | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | $25 | Winston-Salem Writers’ Julia Ridley Smith will give a quick overview of the publishing world, then show you how to figure out where and how to submit your work — registration required.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

3 reasons to stay in Columbia for the Masters

Slideshow of a man with a prosthetic leg at the driving range, a group of men sitting around a picnic table with a yellow umbrella, and two women and a man sitting at a bar top at a restaurant, holding up cocktails.

Columbia has a course for you — from Golden Hills in Lexington to Cobblestone Park in Blythewood and every green in between. | Photos by Jeff Blake and Forrest Clonts via Experience Columbia SC

Going to the Masters this year? (Lucky you.) Just one hour down the road from Augusta, Columbia, SC has you covered for accommodations and entertainment.

Want to play a round yourself? Check out Cola’s golf courses.
Work up an appetite watching the pros? Here’s where to grab a bite after the round.
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, reservations fill up quickly. Did you know? Many hotels offer shuttles to and from Augusta National, plus other Masters perks.

See you in Soda City

News Notes

Open

Visual Index will celebrate its new gallery space (600 N. Trade St.) on Friday, Feb. 9 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with drinks and light snacks. The store that sells handcrafted goods from all 50 states moved two doors down and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Eat

The Winston-Salem Dash will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner in Truist Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 14, with seating times at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Enjoy a prix fixe menu with choices like lobster bisque, chicken roulade, and cheesecake in the Flow Club for $100, or in a private suite for $200. Reserve online.

Concert

The Pilot Mountain Outdoor Adventure Festival & Expo — Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14 —announced its 2024 lineup. The Marshall Tucker Band will headline, with Neon Union and Stillwater Junction as special guests. Tickets are on sale now.

Arts

The deadline is fast approaching for Lewisville artists to appear in the inaugural “Lewisville: The Town I Love” art show. The cutoff to submit pieces is tomorrow, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m., followed by an opening reception on Friday, Feb. 9.

Watch

You might see some familiar places and faces on TV during basketball season. Wake Forest University unveiled a new commercial titled “Our Motto Means More.” It showcases the university’s embrace and commitment to its motto, “Pro Humanitate.”

Older Adults

Age your way wherever you stay with Navigation, a long-term care program for active + independent older adults who want to continue making memories in the community they love. Customized plans include a dedicated care coordinator, asset protection, and at-home health services. See what care can look like.*

Cause

Crossnore Communities for Children has provided vulnerable children sanctuaries for hope + healing for more than 100 years. Their three-step “Promise of Home” campaign aims to further improve services across North Carolina, and they’re looking for all the help they can get. Learn more + help make a difference.*

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

A friendly reminder: If you’re hoping to make reservations for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, start now. Let us know your favorite spot for a chance to appear in the newsletter.

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