Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 16, 1991 TAG: 9104160264
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Some bicentennial committee members are worried that the festivities may begin without many historic buildings, including the old Angle's supermarket and the courthouse annex.
"I hope we can get a lot of information out there to wake people up," said committee member Barbara Capozzi, who also is director-at-large of the New River Arts Council. "If we don't, by the time the bicentennial rolls around there won't be anything left."
Capozzi was referring to the Franklin Street annex, which qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places as a government building from the 1840s. It may not make it into the 1990s.
Montgomery County, which owns the building, is trying to decide what to do with it. It now houses the offices on youth, human services, and others. There is a possibility it could be torn down.
That won't bother some of the people who work there. They have complained of the building's deteriorating condition for years. A bond referendum that would have funded a new location for the annex offices failed in November.
The county also owns the property on East Main Street where Angle's market was for more than 60 years. The building could be renovated or leveled for parking, but there are no solid plans.
The bicentennial celebration will begin in November, continuing through 1992 with the commemoration of the town's establishment on Nov. 10, 1792.
So far, almost a dozen subcommittees have been formed to oversee planning of the event. Some chairmanships are still open. Volunteers and money are needed.
The town has given the committee office space - which needs to be renovated - in the old Hall building on East Main Street across from Angle's, and a logo has been designed and approved.
A representative of The Roger's Co. in Pittsburgh, which specializes in community festivals, will present a plan at a bicentennial meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in the municipal building. The public is encouraged to get involved.
by CNB