HISTORICAL-DISTRICT PROPOSAL HEADED FOR FINAL HEARINGS

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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180514
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Short
HISTORICAL-DISTRICT PROPOSAL HEADED FOR FINAL HEARINGS
No trouble is expected getting final approval for expansion of the historical district in the town of New Castle.
John Kern, director of the Roanoke Regional Preservation Office of the Division of Virginia Historic Landmarks, said there was no opposition at a public hearing Monday in New Castle.
The proposed expansion, which would take in nearly all of downtown New Castle, includes about 45 buildings in a 55-acre area, Kern said. The Craig County Courthouse, the Old Brick Hotel, the Layman Building, the Farmers and Merchants Bank building and the First National Bank building now are in the historical district.
The Craig County Historical Society and the New Castle Town Council already have approved the expansion.
Kern said the next step will be public hearings before the boards of the National Register of Historic Places on April 20 and the Virginia Landmarks Register on April 21. Both hearings will begin at 10 a.m. in hearing room A of the General Assembly building in Richmond.
Kern said that if the state board approves the proposal, the expanded district will become effective immediately on the state level. But, the national agency must submit its proposal to the U.S. Department of the Interior for a final decision.
Kern said he does not expect any trouble getting approval of both agencies.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB