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GREENSBORO - A group of investors plans to convert a historic building and adjoining property on Barnhardt Street downtown into a restaurant and outdoor entertainment venue called SideTrax Alley and Events Ground.

The $3 million project comes by its name honestly. The property backs up to the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks, which run through the center city.

The restaurant, which will seat between 220 and 250 people, will be housed in a two-story, 101-year-old mill house that later served as the home of Security Van Lines. It will include a section for rooftop dining.

It's the second major eatery planned for the area south of the tracks, a section that some argue has been overlooked in downtown's revitalization.

Work is already under way on a Mellow Mushroom franchise at 609 S. Elm St.

"There needs to be a rebirth of Greensboro south of the tracks," said Wrenchel W. Stokes, the owner of Your Community Real Estate Group and one of the partners in the SideTrax project. "This will be the driving force."

Stokes said other partners in the project include Craig Conroy, a veteran center for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League.

The investors own the old mill house and have the adjoining 3.75 acres of land under contract for just over $1 million.

They want to use that land for what they call an events ground, an open space that will feature a small amphitheater and an area for up to 100 food and merchandise vendors.

The owners plan to hold up to two activities there a month that would coincide with major national attractions or celebrations, such as the Super Bowl, St. Patrick's Day or the Kentucky Derby.

"If there is Mardi Gras going on in New Orleans," Stokes said, "there will be Mardi Gras going on here."

Stokes said businesses also can reserve the grounds for company functions. Plus, downtown companies can rent parking spaces there for their employees.

Plans also call for converting a 3,600-square-foot building on the property into a banquet hall.

"There's nothing else like this (downtown)," Stokes said of the project.

Downtown officials say SideTrax, which is targeted for completion between March and June of next year, will be a boost to that part of the center city.

"It's been a dormant area for some time," Ed Wolverton, president and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc., said, referring to the old mill building and adjoining property. "Getting all that under a single control could introduce significantly more activity to that location."

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com