The City of Greensboro will host a public meeting to discuss a possible new home for the historic bell tower formerly located atop the gazebo at the corner of Greene and Main streets.

The gazebo was removed last week to allow for the ongoing Festival Hall renovation project at the old high school gymnasium. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the Yesterday Café located in downtown Greensboro at 114 North Main Street.

The historic bell tower once sat atop Greensboro High School, which stood next to the old gym on the site where BankSouth is currently located. Generations of Greensboro residents recall “ringing the bell” as students. Former students instrumental in placing the old school bell in the gazebo in the 1990’s. Recently a 50-year class reunion group stopped to ring the bell during a tour of downtown Greensboro.

Noting the importance of the historic bell tower, Greensboro’s mayor and council members directed City Manager Larry Postell to collect feedback from the public in determining a new location. At that time, mayor and council reviewed early concept drawings that called for the construction of a traffic circle or round-a-bout in the intersection of North Main and Greene streets, with the bell tower as the centerpiece.

Postell explains that this idea would alleviate traffic problems that have been noted at this intersection for a number of years. In addition, a redesign of the intersection to include a round-a-bout could allow for a designated drop-off area to service Festival Hall and satisfy concerns voiced by downtown merchants of the need for a turn-around on Main Street.

The public is invited to join in the discussion of this possible change at the public forum to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25. For more information about the forum, contact Greensboro City Hall at (706) 453-7967.