Whitaker Park property could provide benefits to Winston-Salem

  • 2015-01-26
R.J. Reynolds has donated part of its old site to the Whitaker Park Development Authority (WPDA), a nonprofit organization.

Reynolds closed the 790,300 sq. ft facility in 2012 and moved to an even larger space, leaving the vast building without a use and, since it was only ever built with one owner and the manufacture of cigarettes in mind, it has proved difficult to find a new purpose for it. This has been compounded by its location some distance from an interstate exchange.

Winston-Salem officials are hopeful the donation might be the first step in turning the park around, which in turn would benefit the entire city. The next could be WPDA providing a feasibility study city and state transportation officials, since much of the improvements to the property center on improving road access.

Officials believe it will take as long as two years from the effect of the renovation of the park and the plant to spread into the local economy. The object of renovating the area is to make Whitaker Park a magnet for warehousing, manufacturing, industrial, and distribution operations, with perhaps space for some residential units and retail stores as well.

This huge campus could be an ideal place for companies to locate, and city officials might consider working with brochure printers to create Booklets describing the area for distribution to realtors.
Get a Free Quote for Booklets