City Council defends High Point University after it withdraws greenway plan

The High Point City Council defended a local university after it drew scrutiny for planning to reroute a city greenway.

In January, High Point University requested moving the greenway so that it would run around instead of through its campus, and offered to pay for the project. The nearly 5-mile paved trail currently begins at Armstrong Park and ends at Piedmont Environmental Center.

According to city documents, the proposal was due to the school's expansion and security concerns. But the idea was withdrawn after numerous residents spoke out against it.

High Point resident Kirby Heard said at a recent City Council meeting that the community wants more transparency from the university and that some aspects of its growth are concerning.

"The expansion has just gotten so obvious, the white oval signs became white rocking chairs, became the biggest gated community I've ever seen and the sentry entrances — keep out signs would be redundant," Heard said. "It feels like we are not welcome and I think that's where the rift is coming."

Council Member Britt Moore said challenges come with growth but the city is fortunate to have the university as a partner.

"It should be a relationship we nurture even through our difficult times, and have a real open mind as to what's really going on there," Moore said. "And you know, the easiest job in the world is to be a critic."

High Point University President Nido Qubein said in a statement about withdrawing the plan that it was important to find a compromise.

The city and school are working together to find other ways to improve security.