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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 2, 1993                   TAG: 9303020280
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL IN OTHER ACTION

ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL IN OTHER ACTION Lobbying for Amtrak: Council

approved a resolution asking Amtrak to provide passenger train service to Roanoke. The resolution is a first step in organizing a lobbying campaign among localities in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee to seek Amtrak service. Mayor David Bowers has made Amtrak service one of the top priorities in his economic development and tourism program.

Tax district for Williamson Road: Council scheduled an April 12 public hearing on a request by the Williamson Road Area Business Association for a special tax district, similar to the one in downtown. In such a district, property owners pay a special real estate tax that is used to finance promotional and operating expenses for programs to attract more shoppers. In downtown, the special tax is 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation of property. The tax is added to the city's real estate rate of $1.25 per $100 assessed valuation.

Local and minority contractors on the Hotel Roanoke project: Council directed City Manager Bob Herbert to prepare a plan to ensure that local and minority contractors are aware of the bidding requirements to seek work on the Hotel Roanoke and conference project.

Overpass to the Hotel Roanoke: Council voted to ask the Virginia Department of Transportation to begin planning for a pedestrian overpass above the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, including the related atrium facility, to connect between the hotel and conference center, and the Historic Market area.

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