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

DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991                   TAG: 9103040282
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEARING DOWN HOTEL ROANOKE WOULD BE STUPID

A RECENT article in The Washington Post reported on a proposal to demolish the Hotel Roanoke and replace it with a modern hotel and convention center. As a frequent visitor to Roanoke, I want to say that this proposal is the most stupid, shortsighted, counterproductive idea I have ever heard of.

Who can imagine Roanoke without its most famous landmark? Destroying this nationally famous building in the name of progress reminds me of the general during the Vietnam War saying, "We had to destroy the village in order to save it."

Roanoke should do everything it can to preserve and enhance its unique natural, historic and architectural heritage. Demolishing the Hotel Roanoke and replacing it with a so-called modern hotel will simply help turn Roanoke into "Anyplace USA." If you tear down the Hotel Roanoke, I guarantee you one thing: Thousands of tourists like me will have one less reason to visit. EDWARD T. McMAHON TAKOMA PARK, MD

by CNB