Zipcar, a community car-sharing service, recently arrived at Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and is already forging new paths for downtown mobility in Winston-Salem.
A staple for urban-dwellers in large cities throughout the United States, Zipcar is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to the use of personal vehicles. The concept is simple—share a community vehicle with neighbors, colleagues and friends.
The Innovation Quarter Zipcar, a 2016 silver Ford Focus, is located next to the Café Brioche Dorée outdoor patio in the Allegacy parking lot on the corner of Fifth Street and North Patterson Avenue. It’s available to anyone age 18 or older with a valid driver’s license.
In the time it takes to order a cup of coffee, Zipcar members can reserve a car online or with a smartphone for as little as an hour or up to seven days. All-in-one rates include gas, insurance and up to 180 miles per day of open road.
Community Sharing
Bringing Zipcar to the Innovation Quarter was a collaboration between Lindsey Schwab, director of community relations at Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, and Dedee DeLongpré Johnston, chief sustainability officer at Wake Forest University.
The Reynolda campus at Wake Forest University is a hub for multiple Zipcars, offering students an alternative to bringing their own vehicles to campus. The upcoming location of several undergraduate programs of Wake Forest University in the Innovation Quarter beginning in January 2017 brought an opportunity to offer the University’s car-sharing service to a broader community.
“When Wake Forest University approached the Innovation Quarter about extending their fleet to our downtown location, both parties felt it was a great opportunity to expand the amenities we offer to the local community,” says Schwab. “We are starting with one Zipcar but anticipate an expansion of the Innovation Quarter fleet in the near future.”
Zipcar at the Innovation Quarter is open to everyone—students, tenants, neighboring residents and community members alike.
New Paths for Urban Mobility
Shifting skylines, the echo of jackhammers and dramatic renderings of new buildings are all proof of economic growth for Winston-Salem, and the scarcity of street parking is a testament to the growing number of people who work, live, learn and play in the downtown area.
By 2019, there will be nearly 1,200 urban residences in and around the Innovation Quarter.
“The Innovation Quarter is comprised of and surrounded by urban residences, and with the impending arrival of the new Link apartments and the 757 North complex, a public transportation service like Zipcar will be a huge benefit to our neighbors,” says Schwab.
By 2019, there will be nearly 1,200 urban residences in and around the Innovation Quarter. Amenities like Zipcar offer a transportation solution for those who wish to embrace the urban lifestyle and make the switch to public transportation, whether entirely or occasionally. It is also a convenient option for people who park on the outskirts of the innovation district and need a quick way to get to a meeting or run an errand.
If you find yourself in need of a ride, whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or a weekend journey with friends, the Innovation Quarter Zipcar is waiting for you.
To learn more about how it works or to apply for membership, visit Zipcar online.
