Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 19, 1994 TAG: 9403190061
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Granger Macfarlane said the money would extend a roadway and provide for other work to open two industrial sites in the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology.
Unless building sites are accessible they aren't very attractive to prospective companies, he pointed out.
City council makes the final decision on which projects are included in a general obligation bond issue after getting the city manager's recommendations. Commission members urged the manager, Robert Herbert, to include their request.
Herbert said a bond proposal is tentatively planned for November, and there are about $130 million worth of projects vying for inclusion in the borrowing.
The commission also wants further study of another Macfarlane proposal that he said could "put product in the field" for business prospects to consider.
Macfarlane suggested the city consider a land-lease program that would allow local developers and contractors to use development sites at a nominal rent if they improve the land so that it can be marketed.
The city would have to provide roads and water to the sites, he said.
The city's economic development staff was asked to make an assessment of a similar program in Richmond and report back at the next meeting.
The staff has identified about 500 acres in Roanoke with development potential. The property includes both privately held and city-owned tracts.
Costs to develop the sites will be worked up, said Phil Sparks, acting director of economic development. He also noted that much of the land isn't very attractive for development because it is located in a floodplain.
by CNB