AGAINST TANGLEWOOD EVENTS CENTER

The proposed Tanglewood Agricultural Events Center is a 50,000 foot facility planned for Tanglewood Park near the present horse stables and bordering the western boundary of the Clemmons West subdivision, a community of over 700 homes. [The black boxes on the petition image represent homes along Tanglebrook Trail] Forsyth County proposes to fund this facility with $5 million raised from the $15 million bond package passed in 2016. The bond referendum did not specify the site of the Events Center – only that it would be in Tanglewood Park.

Among the possible uses for Events Center identified by Forsyth County are concerts, circuses, mixed martial arts (MMA) events, tractor pulls, rodeos, and various types of auctions.

These uses are incompatible with the history and serene natural setting of Tanglewood Park, which is a natural, cultural, and historic treasure. They also betray the intent of the William and Kate Reynolds who bequeathed the land to Forsyth County upon their deaths. From Wikipedia.org:

"The Reynolds couple had no children, and, as a gesture enabling others to benefit from the beauty, elegance, history, and recreation their country estate had to offer, in 1951, they willed the Tanglewood property to the citizens of Forsyth County to share as a public recreational park. Thus, Tanglewood Park was born. The facility is owned by Forsyth County."

Siting the Event Center so close to the Clemmons West subdivision and hosting these types of events will generate noise pollution, litter, and storm water run-off that will be detrimental to the quality of life in the neighborhood and severely impact home values along Tanglebrook trail and nearby roads. For some Tanglebrook Trail residents, their home equity represents most of their retirements savings - savings that will be wiped out by this project. It may also generate substantial additional traffic on Highway 158 and the Village of Clemmons, which is already burdened with serious traffic congestion.

Given the ongoing inflation in construction costs nationwide, it is likely that this project will end up costing considerably more than projected, potentially leaving the taxpayers of Forsyth County on the hook for substantial cost overruns. The proposed Tanglewood Event Center will also compete with the existing county facilities at the fairgrounds, canabalizing its revenue sources and potentially jeopardizing its financial viability. Economic conditions have changed since the 2016 bond referendum. The Tanglewood Events Center is a bad deal for all Forsyth County taxpayers!

For more information, visit tanglewoodeventscenter.com

BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, I DECLARE MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED TANGLEWOOD EVENTS CENTER AT THE PROPOSED SITE, AND I URGE THE FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO EITHER REJECT THIS PROJECT OR LOCATE THE EVENTS CENTER AT A LOCATION WHICH WILL NOT IMPACT SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Please ask all adult members of your household to sign the petition and forward the link to your neighbors.

In addition to signing this position, please call or email your County Commissioners immediately! Your County Commissioners are Chairman David Plyler (District B - Rep), Tonya McDaniel (District A – Dem), Flemming El-Amin (District A – Dem), Richard Linville (District B – Rep), Don Martin (District B - Rep), Gloria Wisenhunt (District B -Rep), Ted Kaplan (At Large, - Dem). They can be reached at (336) 703-2020 or forsyth.cc/commissioners/contactus.aspx. Calling is better, but email is good to. Be civil, but direct.

It is important to the success of this effort that opposition organizers be able to reach you directly and on short notice. To be included on urgent action notifications and updates, please email noeventscenter@use.startmail.com with your name, street, email, and a phone number where you can get text messages. Your information will be kept confidential and only used for communications related to the No Event Center cause. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WE NEED MAXIMUM EFFORT FROM AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE!

EDIT HISTORY:

7/29/21 - Activated links to CC and opposition website.