News > February 21, 2008

By Katie Phillips | Contributing writer

The university is currently in the planning stages for a long-term development of Deacon Boulevard, located off of University Parkway. It will be a multi-phase project that includes a series of retail shops, new restaurants, bars and entertainment space.

The complex will be in a well designed village layout, similar to the design of Reynolda Village.

The developer of the complex has yet to be named. The university’s Board of Trustees recently gave its approval of the project.

An estimated $25 million will be invested by the university for the development, coinciding with the 6.8 percent increase of undergraduate tuition for 2008-2009 to $36,560.

Deacon Boulevard is a link between the university and downtown Winston-Salem.

The Board hopes that this opportunity will offer university students, visitors and the Winston-Salem community a convenient place of socialization and relaxation.

They hope that not only will the complex benefit the students but the entire community year-round.

Right now Deacon Boulevard is one of the most easily accessible and frequented places in town.

Currently the university sports facilities located on the boulevard are the BB&T Field, Bridger Field House and the Indoor Tennis Center.

Not included in university property but also located on Deacon Boulevard is the Joel Coliseum.

A majority of concerts and other mass events are held there, including the Demon Deacon basketball team’s home games.

The university’s Advancement Staff also has an office across from the LJVM Coliseum.

Academic facilities located nearby include the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials and Clinical Research Center on Shorefield Drive. Land available for development includes 50 acres already owned by the university and 17 more acres that the university is in the process of purchasing.

Carolyn Harbaugh, a university senior and student member of the board of trustees, commented on the recent plans. “There is definitely a desire among students for a larger number of establishments that would better cater to the student body. In my mind, a desirable social area for students would include a variety of dining options, bars, entertainment venues, and retail shopping,” Harbaugh said.

She also says that she has heard requests like this from students in previous years. “Such a development is critical for student life at Wake Forest and will drastically enhance the social climate of the university,” Harbaugh said.

The university hopes to improve connections between the university students and students at the other local schools.

As of now, there is no established place for such interaction to occur.

Nancy Suttenfield, the university’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, expects “a significant financial return to serve the university’s educational mission, just as we expect from all investments.” It is not uncommon at other universities around the country to have such destinations nearby their campuses, providing close entertainment and provisions.

Administrators have been asked by students for a convenient setting for food and entertainment to complement their busy lives at the university.

“We look forward to creating a place that brings the entire Winston-Salem community together and leaves visitors with the impression that there is a lot going on at Wake Forest,” Suttenfield said.

More details about the Deacon Boulevard project will be released in late spring or early this summer.