Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991 TAG: 9102190490
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke is the smallest city among those named in the book, "America's Downtowns: Growth, Politics and Preservation."
The others are Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Denver, Jersey City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis.
The book is an in-depth study of the ways that historic preservation has been incorporated into local policies that shape growth and development. It looks at coalition building and negotiations in downtown planning and the extent to which preservation has become an issue.
The book was written by Richard C. Collins, Elizabeth B. Waters and A. Bruce Dotson, senior staff members at the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia.
It cites a broad range of preservation efforts in Roanoke, including "Roanoke Vision," a comprehensive plan that was developed in the mid-1980s by a public participation process. The plan is designed to protect the city's character while promoting revitalization of the city's neighborhoods and downtown.
Kent Chrisman, president of the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation, said Roanoke has been recognized for its preservation efforts in the past decade that began with a downtown revitalization plan in 1979.
The city was also cited for the establishment of historic districts in the City Market and Old Southwest, the Roanoke Neighborhood Partnership, the Roanoke Regional Preservation Center and other projects.
Chrisman told City Council recently that the book recognizes the city's strong support for preservation in recent years.
He urged council to continue its financial and legal support for projects, saying they will help stimulate economic development and provide long-term economic benefits.
Councilman David Bowers said council remains committed to preservation and is seeking additional powers to help promote it.
The city is seeking a charter change during this session of the General Assembly that would permit it to impose a heavy penalty on property owners who raze buildings in historic districts without permission. The current penalty is $1,000, but the city wants the authority to levy a civil penalty that would be double the assessed value of the structure.
The city also has asked the legislature for the power to establish design overlay districts to promote architectural harmony and protect neighborhoods with unique characteristics.
by CNB