Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 24, 1990                   TAG: 9007220058
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

MAIN STREET DIRECTOR LEAVING RADFORD FOR `HOME TERRITORY'

Stone is leaving July 27 to look for a job in Baltimore, closer to her hometown of Annapolis, Md., she said.

"It's home territory," said Stone, 25, who started work in March 1989. "It [the resignation] has nothing to do with the program. The people involved are great volunteers. I really feel like the program is going places."

But Stone also said, "At this time, it's best for me to leave."

She said her reasons for leaving are personal.

"She expressed to me that she's unhappy - not with the job," said City Manager Robert Asbury. "I think it has to do with the environment. I regret seeing her go only 16 months into the program."

Ken Farmer, chairman of the city's Main Street Board, noted Stone is naturally outspoken, which may have worked against her as director.

"The job requires a lot of political skills. She's opinionated and not afraid to express her opinion. You have to be a political person in a job like that," Farmer said.

"If you're promoting change, you're going to rock the boat," responded Stone - who told a reporter at the time she was hired she wanted to rid downtown Radford of aluminum storefronts. "And you're going to say things that some people don't want to hear. You can't ride the fence."

A number of the aluminum storefronts covering the businesses district's turn-of-the-century facade remain - but Stone said there have been other accomplishments.

The Main Street program under her direction has helped 10 new businesses set up shop in downtown Radford, including a flower and gift shop, a hobby shop and a music store, she said.

In addition, Main Street has begun an annual Septemberfest - a city festival that includes sidewalk sales and music, and last year attracted some 2,000 people.

And a Main Street architect has drawn up plans for renovations to 12 downtown stores - though most of the plans have not yet been implemented, Stone said.

Renovations must be paid for by the store owners themselves. Stone said some of the local business owners seem to have adopted a "show me" attitude about downtown renovation before committing money to improvements.

"And a lot of people haven't been shown. I think you have to allow a certain amount of time," she said. "People are thinking about it. Two years ago, they may not even have thought of getting a plan done."

City leaders stressed that Stone's decision to leave was her own.

"I truly believe her when she says she's leaving for personal reasons," Farmer said. "She's leaving because she chose to. I just hope she'll be happy."

Stone, a graduate of Mary Washington College, was employed by the Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C., when Radford hired her to head its Main Street program. Radford was named a Main Street City in November 1988.

The Main Street Center developed the concept behind the Main Street program, which has been adopted by more than 30 states.

The Main Street program in Virginia encourages economic development in downtown areas, and communities admitted to the program are entitled to free expert guidance on planning and technical matters associated with downtown renovation.

Asbury said he already has advertised for a new Main Street director. Farmer said officials hope to name the director in August.