Planning Classes took a Field Trip to Goldsboro, NC.

The Community and Regional Planning program took students for a field trip to Goldsboro, NC—a town with one of the most successful Main Street programs in North Carolina. ­­The NC Main Street program is North Carolina’s state coordinating program for Main Street America, which helps to vitalize older and historic commercial districts for prosperity by implementing various economic development strategies that transform downtown.

Hosted by Sherry Archibald, Executive Director of the United Way of Wayne County, NC, the event featured several speakers at each site. Community developer and property owner David Weil welcomed students to the Waynesborough House. This eight-story historic senior apartment building at the heart of the downtown is for low or very low-income seniors (under HUD’s Section 202). The view from the rooftop of the building was spectacular, and Mr. Weil’s storytelling about the town’s history was intriguing. After a short walking tour downtown, students visited the multi-modal transportation center, The Hub, and the Paramount Theatre—two major landmarks downtown. Erin Fonseca, the Director of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, introduced the Goldsboro Main Street, several major projects, and its history. The last stop was the historic Union Station. An iconic building was registered as a National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Judge Charlie Gaylor introduced the history of the station and the area, and shared the inspiring plan to serve passenger trains again in the future. The trip ended with Mayor Charles Gaylor’s remarks.

We thank the host and speakers for a wonderful field trip for our students.

The field trip was on February 8, 2024.

2024 Goldsboro Field Trip Photo Gallery: