Laying the Groundwork: Major Infrastructure Advancements Underway at The Grounds
Restoring Nature, Enhancing Connectivity, and Building New Welcoming Spaces for Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC
The Grounds, a transformative mixed-use development in Winston-Salem’s sports and entertainment area, has entered a pivotal phase of infrastructure enhancements focused on environmental restoration, connectivity, and pedestrian-friendly design. In addition to being central to the future of the development itself, these foundational improvements promise valuable benefits to the area and to the community at large.
“As we build The Grounds, we’re not just constructing buildings; we’re creating an integrated, walkable environment where nature, people, and development thrive together,” said Coleman Team, President and Managing Partner at Front Street Capital, which is developing the property in partnership with Carter. “This work sets the stage for a new level of sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement, in this immediate area and beyond.”
February 2025 drone view facing east from University Parkway
Same angle with detailed rendering of stream and future development components
Revitalizing the Natural Landscape
One of the most significant projects underway is the restoration of Upper Silas Creek, a large-scale environmental initiative that is reshaping degraded stream banks, enhancing green space, and enabling a broader natural revitalization.
Key improvements include:
Eliminating severe erosion that’s occurred over the last 80 years to stream banks and side slopes: stabilizing banks, reducing their height, and creating a floodplain bench, all in service of minimizing erosion and decreasing sediment entering the water
Revitalizing the site with native vegetation, enhancing ecological health and overall visual appeal, as well as enhancing water quality by providing shade and temperature regulation
Planting over 200 new trees and 30,000 shrubs, grasses, and perennials
Removing invasive species and creating new, much-improved conditions for habitats to thrive
Creating a new multi-purpose nature path woven into the landscape, as well as elements like benches, seat walls, and open grassy areas for an entirely new creek-side gathering place
These actions trigger lasting and growing benefits to the area’s ecosystem, namely creating a significantly improved habitat for wildlife. Water quality and composition will create essential spaces for aquatic habitats and species, and the stream-adjacent zones will improve accessibility for wildlife, providing critical and healthy food and shelter. In addition, new wetland space will attract a wide range of species, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals.
“This restoration will create new and improved habitats for wildlife, greatly improved stormwater management, and a serene oasis for residents and visitors,” said Dedee Delongpré Johnston, Chief Sustainability Officer at Wake Forest University. “It's creating a much-needed green space amenity that will be available to the entire community.”
Enhancing Connectivity: Trails, Walkways, and Community Links
The Grounds is also improving walkability and connectivity throughout the site and beyond, making an already heavily visited area even better to access and explore – ideally, on foot. Key initiatives include:
A one-mile trail loop, seamlessly integrated with greenways and sidewalks
Wider sidewalks and bike-friendly paths to support multimodal transit
Safer pedestrian crossings across University Parkway, enhancing access and walkability (and reducing vehicular trips) between Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus and The Grounds area
These updates promote diverse modes of transportation, reduce vehicle congestion, and support a stronger connection within the area, and between the community and Wake Forest campus.
“The Grounds is, at its core, an inviting, experience-driven community,” said Adam Parker, Senior Vice President at Carter. “This natural restoration, enhanced connectivity, and pedestrian-friendly design embody that vision and the long-term benefits of this transformative place.”
Reimagining Deacon Boulevard for an Active Future
Another central piece of The Grounds work is realigning Deacon Boulevard to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly corridor, as well as creating additional parcels to accommodate future development. This includes:
Expanded sidewalks and crosswalks to improve circulation and event accessibility
Enhanced road quality
Two new retail-specific parking lots to serve daily visitors to the retail village
On-street parking along each side of the road, including reformatting from four traffic lanes to two, for a more pedestrian-friendly environment
Installation of flex options for pedestrian-only events and needs
Lighting designed to support pedestrian safety
By prioritizing walkability without compromising event traffic flow, this redesign will encourage vibrant street activity and better accessibility across the development and existing facilities.
To complete that work, Deacon Boulevard will be closed between University Parkway and Piccolo Drive, starting March 26 until August. Drivers and visitors can use Reynolds Boulevard, Shorefair Drive, and 27th Street to reach Wake Forest baseball, tennis, and football facilities, as well as other area businesses usually accessed via Deacon Boulevard. Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum and fairgrounds area facilities will be accessible via University Parkway and 27th Street as usual. Detour information will be also posted throughout the area during the closure.
A Team and a Vision for the Future
“The connectivity and fun of The Grounds will be a year-round game-changer for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County residents, students, staff, and faculty as well the 750,000 people who annually attend events in the LJVM, Allegacy Stadium and Fairgrounds area,” said Wake Forest Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie. “The Grounds will be a place that brings people together and another element of Best Fan Experience in North Carolina.”
Infrastructure partners include architects NELSON Worldwide, general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, and civil engineers Stimmel Associates and McAdams. Together with Carter, Front Street, Wake Forest and the City of Winston-Salem, they’re helping as The Grounds lays the literal and figurative foundation for a dynamic, connected, and sustainable mixed-use destination.
For more information, please contact Jane Duncan at jane@frontstreetcapital.com.
### About The Grounds
The Grounds is a transformative 100-acre mixed-use development, led by Atlanta-based Carter and Winston-Salem’s Front Street Capital, in partnership with Wake Forest University and the City of Winston-Salem. The Grounds will be a vibrant hub for Winston-Salem and the Triad region, featuring a pedestrian-friendly retail village, modern residential living, class-A office space, robust infrastructure support, and more. Located near the LJVM Coliseum, Allegacy Stadium, David F. Couch Ballpark, Wake Forest Tennis Center and the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, The Grounds aims to drive substantial economic growth in Winston-Salem, bolster the cityʼs status as a leading destination for tourism, sports, and entertainment, and be a vibrant setting for locals and visitors alike to play, work, and thrive. For more information, see VisitTheGrounds.com.