Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: FRIDAY, March 15, 1991 TAG: 9103150482 SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT DATELINE: MEADOWS OF DAN LENGTH: Medium
The 10-member commission, which includes representatives from Floyd and Patrick counties, was formed in January 1990 to study development along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Rocky Knob area. But the commissioners had not met for almost nine months before hearing a pair of proposals Wednesday night.
Patrick County Administrator David Hoback outlined a plan developed by Virginia Tech researchers. It called for the commission to help staff a Rocky Knob information booth at Milepost 169 on the parkway.
Art Allen, the retired head of planning for the parkway and project consultant, presented a plan for a recreational and educational center focusing on Appalachian farm life. The idea was developed in recent meetings between officials from the two counties, Tech and private consultants.
Both ideas found widespread support among the commission members.
The commission decided it wanted to help staff the information booth. It authorized the county administrators to work with the local chambers of commerce to find volunteers and with the National Park Service to reach an agreement on staffing the information stop. The commissioners hope to be able to start helping staff the booth shortly after its opens around June 1.
"I think as far as the things we've talked about, we cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by," said Lynn Short of Patrick County. "Not only can we provide information on Patrick and Floyd counties, we can gather information on drivers along the way."
Allen told the commission the volunteer program would have support from the Blue Ridge Parkway in several ways. The local tour-guides may be eligible for the Volunteers in Parks program, which helps defray training expenses and offers fringe benefits to volunteers. And Parkway Superintendent Gary Everhardt helped come up with the idea to staff the Rocky Knob information booth locally.
Meanwhile, the plan for the recreation center crystalized what the commission has been considering since it started meeting over a year ago.
"I think this may have captured the direction that we've been groping for for some time," said Commission Chairman Mac Deekens of Stuart. "I realize we're still dealing in generalities, but we've been dealing in those for the past year."
The plan for the recreational area includes a museum, a performing arts center, an exhibition center, a lodge and restaurant and a crafts and antiques showplace.
Allen thought only the museum, a rarity along the parkway, would be operated in full by the park service.
The commission will finalize the plan during a work session March 27.
After the plan is finished, it's economic feasibility will an analyzed by Richard Sorensen, dean of the R.B. Pamplin College of Business at Tech.
by CNB