GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A well-known Greensboro developer made a big announcement Tuesday evening. “Who are we in Greensboro? We’re a makers city," the Owner of AZ Development Andy Zimmerman said. Zimmerman is proposing a project that would expand Greensboro’s title as the maker city . Zimmerman is the man behind some of Greensboro's hottest spots: Southend Brewery, Boxcar and Forge Greensboro. Now, he plans to expand Forge Greensboro after the nonprofit has outgrown its property on West Lewis Street.  Zimmerman is calling this an economic engine by giving makers the opportunity to work, play and live within one area.  “We’ve grown exponentially. We started as a tool share back in 2013 ... Now, we are the largest community maker space in the southeast,” Executive Director of Forge Greensboro Tiffany Jacobs said. 12 years ago, Forge Greensboro was created as a hobby space. Now, the 400 members are able to use tools that cost $17,000 alone. They get access to machines for welding, carpentry and so much more 24/7 with a membership.  Now, the nonprofit is catching the eye of big companies. Zimmerman says the project can be an economic engine because he says it's giving people in Greensboro the opportunity to make a hobby a career. “Those programs are very much intentional so that when they leave the Forge, they can go transition right into the workforce,” Zimmerman said. The development will sit on about three acres of land at the corner of Gate City Boulevard and Elm Street. Zimmerman says the idea is for makers to work, play and live on the property. “Phase one will be work for development housing and parking and covered areas for activities and farmers markets and makers fairs and craft fairs. Phase two will be the forge. 34,000 square feet, which will almost triple the size of what the existing forge is,” Zimmerman said. The project will be rolled out in four phases. The fourth phase will bring 64 apartments. “We need more people living downtown Greensboro. It’s our new city manager’s initiative to get more people living downtown but also in Greensboro. With all these big jobs that we’ve announced, we don’t have enough roofs,” Zimmerman said. The project still needs approval from the city council. More than 250 people attended to hear Zimmerman announce the project  ...read more read less