Union Baptist Church 1200 N. Trade St.
Welcome to the third Northwest Ward Newsletter. From the feedback I have gotten I know that folks appreciate the links to L eaf C ollection, C rime S tats and Neighborhood Watch Info. I have also heard from people who want information about city-wide issues (economic development being one in particular), and I want to make sure that I include items that are of concern to you. Please let me know at jeffm@cityofws.org if you have suggestions for future articles.
I f irst got involved in civics as an adult when, as 27-year-old newlyweds, Susan and I bought a house in Holly Avenue and helped found the Holly Avenue Neighborhood A ssociation. I learned about zoning, inspections, traffic engineering, what an alley is and isn't, the non-emergency police phone number (773-7700), who my alderman was (Martha Wood), who the mayor was (Mayor Corpening) and who to contact to get answers on issues I felt affected our neighborhood.
I believe that strong neighborhoods form the backbone of any city, and I would stack our ward's neighborhoods up against anyone else's. From downtown to Pfafftown, there are many neighborhoods that represent the character of those who live there and whose residents are fiercely proud of them. I include myself in that.
I'm looking forward to your stories and photos.
When Will Business 40 Close?
I n 2006 , the N.C. D epartment of T ransportation decided that it was necessary to remove or replace 11 bridges on Business 40 in downtown Winston - Salem because of safety concerns. They aggressively sought input from the community as to whether to shut the highway down for two years or to partially close it for six years. Overwhelmingly , the community supported a two-year total shutdown.
So ... when will it shut down and how will I get to where I need to go when it does?
Good question. The state is allowing the contractor to call the shots on when it will be closed but not for how long . The contract specifies that a maximum of two years will be allowed without penalties to the contractor.
The Peters Creek Parkway bridge will be expanded to seven lanes from its current four lanes. It will become a "full" interchange, with on/off ramps from both directions. This will provide traffic from Clemmons and western Forsyth County to enter downtown on this artery.
Research Parkway will be completed, offering traffic from Kernersville/Greensboro to enter downtown from U.S. 52.
U.S. 52/MLK improvements. This is mostly in place now and is the route I use when traveling westbound on Business 40 and am heading toward the Wake Forest area. It is more direct than through downtown.
The most likely timeline for closure at this point is sometime in late 2017 or early 2018. The project will be completed within two years of the shutdown or the contractor will face significant penalties.
"Big 40" or "Blue 40" to Peters Creek Parkway will carry much of the traffic that used to travel the closed section of "Little 40" or "Green 40".
The city will collect Christmas trees and put them to good use as mulch for its parks and roadsides.
Residents in single-family homes inside the city limits can put their Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up during the regular city brush collection. All lights, decorations, stands and nails must be removed from trees. Please be aware that it may take several weeks to collect all the trees.
· Crawford Park, 4226 Oak Ridge Dr.
· Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center, 501 Reynolds Blvd.
· Hanes Park (tennis court parking lot), 625 West End Blvd.
· Little Creek Recreation Center, 610 Foxcroft Dr.
· Old Town Recreation Center (tennis court parking lot), 4550 Shattalon Dr.
· Parkland Park (tennis courts), 1660 Brewer Rd.
· Polo Park (swimming pool parking lot), 1850 Polo Rd.
· Salem Lake (at the gate), 1001 Salem Lake Rd.
· Sprague Street Recreation Center, 1350 E. Sprague St.
· Winston Lake Park, 3535 Winston Lake Rd.
For more information, call CityLink 311.
In 1997, after 71 years of operation, Bailey Power Plant ended its life as one of the main energy suppliers to downtown Winston-Salem. Since then, while its smokestacks still make up part of Winston-Salem's iconic skyline, the cavernous building has sat empty in the middle of the Innovation Quarter -- a constant reminder of both the history of our area and the potential for its future.
To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Commission) ordered a 743 Area Code Overlay for the area currently assigned to the 336 area code. The new 743 area code will be "overlaid" over the same geographical area as the current 336 area code so that two area codes, 743 and 336, will be assigned to the area, generally covering the Piedmont, including the cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Kernersville, Burlington, North Wilkesboro, Roxboro and Asheboro.
Residential and business customers assigned to the existing 336 area code should prepare for the introduction of the new 743 area code. Use of an overlay area code requires that customers must dial 10 digits (area code + 7-digit local telephone number) to complete local calls within their area code calling area. To help customers prepare for this change and ensure a smooth transition, beginning October 24, 2015, customers may begin placing local calls by using the new 10-digit local dialing pattern. Customers may continue to use 7-digit local dialing until April 22, 2016, when that option will come to an end. Effective on April 23, 2016, all local calls must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (336 or 743 plus the 7-digit local telephone number). Beginning May 23, 2016, customers in the 336 area code region requesting new service, adding an additional line, or in some cases moving their service, may be assigned new numbers using either 336 or the new 743 area code.
Your telephone number, including current area code, will not change, but may if you move your service.
You will need to dial the area code + 7-digit local telephone number for all local calls.
You will continue to dial 1+ area code + 7-digit local telephone number for all long distance calls.