Marshall Street reduced to one lane as Stevens Center renovation continues downtown

Downtown Winston-Salem motorists are facing increased traffic inconveniences due to renovations at the Stevens Center at 405 Fourth Street.

Frank L. Blum Construction said Monday it has closed the right lane of southbound Marshall Street from Fifth Street to Fourth Street to accommodate additional exterior work on the west side of the building.

That leaves just one lane open to traffic on that block. Blum projects reopening the right lane by Sept. 13.

The parking spaces on Marshall Street next to the Stevens Center have been blocked for more than a year.

Blum said in its request to the city of Winston-Salem that closing the extra lane is necessary because "additional room is needed to bring in truckloads of material and haul off truckloads of debris."

"This area will provide a loading area and allow trucks to enter and exit with the flow of traffic on Marshall."

UNC School of the Arts said April 30 that the more than $85 million in renovations to the Stevens Center are at the intermission stage.

The exterior work of Phase 1 is complete. Phase 2's interior updates are next.

The School of the Arts owns the 77,500-square-foot performing arts center, which opened in 1929 and had 1,366 seats before its temporary closure.

Construction work on Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in February.

The center has been closed since November 2023. The goal is to reopen for performances in 2029. The renovated facility will have a seating capacity of 900.

What has been accomplished?

During Phase 1, the roof was replaced, the brick exterior, terracotta facade and windows were restored, and the lobby was renovated.

Phase 1 work also included fixing leaks in the building to ensure it is watertight.

The state legislature paid for the Stevens Center renovation and also supplied most of the $5.4 million used to purchase the 411 Fourth St. property next door.

"When complete, the Stevens Center will stand as a vibrant hub where education, performance and community come together; a place where our students can train at the highest level and where audiences can experience the power of the arts in new and inspiring ways," the School of the Arts said in a news release.

"It will honor its legacy as a cornerstone of the Triad's cultural life, while expanding its role as a catalyst for connection, creativity and economic vitality across our city and region."

Phase 2

UNCSA said Phase 2 will transform the theater chamber, "creating a more intimate and flexible environment through enhancements to seating and the stage, as well as an entirely reconfigured balcony with improved sightlines."

A key element is a redesigned proscenium, or stage frame, to enhance acoustics.

The balcony will be a full story lower to bring audiences closer to the stage and improve sightlines.

"The design for Phase II is focused on dramatically enhancing the patron's experience by crafting an audience chamber that visually and acoustically draws people closer to the stage and performers," Benjamin Benson of Jenkins Peer Architects said.

A new fourth-floor lobby will provide patrons with access to the reconfigured balcony.

The orchestra pit, dressing rooms, warm-up spaces and production areas are being upgraded "to improve safety, accessibility, functionality and the flow of performers and crews to and from the stage, as well as increase production capability," the School of the Arts said.

The renovated Stevens Center will also include technology upgrades.

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