Winston-Salem may be growing, but efforts are in place to make our community more tight-knit. A key example: The newly renovated Boston-Thurmond United Outreach Center in northeast Winston-Salem, where a crowd gathered on Tuesday, March 18 to celebrate its $1.6 million transformation. The renovated space will serve as a hub for community activities, services, and administrative operations.
The project started spring 2024 and was primarily funded by American Rescue Plan Act which was awarded to the City of Winston-Salem in 2021. The redesign is part of an effort to revitalize the marginalized community affected by redlining in the 1950s. The goal is to strengthen community ties and foster pride among residents.
“We are so excited about this adaptive reuse project that has allowed us to fully renovate and transform this heavily underutilized building into something special for residents of the Boston-Thurmond community,” said Regina Hall, Executive Director of Boston Thurmond United.
The renovated space will serve as a hub for community activities, services, and administrative operations. Here are some features provided:
- Resource and community rooms with 60+ seating
- Outdoor patio and pergola featuring green space + fence for children’s safety
- Picnic shelter with up to 120 seating + conference rooms for meetings
- Art displays by renowned local artists like Leo Rucker and the late Sam ‘The Dot Man’ McMillan
Located just 10 minutes outside of downtown, Boston-Thurmond is one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in Winston-Salem. The mixed-income neighborhood is home to ~3,600 residents.
“This will not only be a daycare, but a safe space for children,” Hall said during the ribbon cutting ceremony. " They could have reading circles, teen camps [...] here in this safe space and we honor the legacy of this neighborhood.”
Children and teenagers will receive new books and a Boston-Thurmond United Teddy Bear to commemorate this new milestone. The center plans to be open daily.
