Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 28, 1993 TAG: 9301280365
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CITY WRITES PROMISES IN INVISIBLE INK
ONCE AGAIN black citizens of Roanoke city have been told they must and will make the supreme sacrifice to make way for anticipated traffic in and around the city and for expected economic viability resulting from additional buildings.History reveals the same sad, sad story but the cast (black communities) has changed from Kimball and Commonwealth to Gainsboro - with Loudon, Hurt Park, etc., awaiting their cue from the producer/director (council, mayor, manager, etc.). The city skillfully uses invisible ink as incentive for some citizens to cooperate with the continual elimination of inner-city neighborhoods. Let the record show there is no final act in the foreseeable future.
Top city administrators have given differing reasons for their perceived necessity of a Wells Avenue widening, depending upon whether the audience is primarily black (traffic plans since the 1960s) or white (Hotel Roanoke/conference center development). The proposed Wells Avenue widening, coupled with the most invasive/destructive Second Street/Gainsboro Road project, will completely destroy the residential character of this historical, quaint and quiet black community and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Based upon the lines drawn upon paper, it is extremely difficult to arrive at any other conclusion than that stated above. If the city believes so strongly in the validity of its road-and-building proposals, at least one three-dimensional model should be prepared and displayed at easily accessible locations throughout the city for all interested citizens to evaluate. City officials have refused to respond to both written and verbal requests for such a realistic model.
Roanoke citizens, black and white, are not looking for heroes or heroines in our administrators. However, we do demand that they become people of courage and commitment with the guts to stand, answer questions honestly and defend their decisions.
It is truly unbelievable that city leaders have apparently invested our tax dollars (without citizen approval) on the expected economic viability of the Hotel Roanoke/conference center concept with eventual plans for a convention center and a "dream" for Henry Street revitalization. The specific Henry Street plan has not been revealed and one has to wonder if it will contain mostly, or any, minority businesses. It appears city officials are "implying" and leading all citizens down a rosy path containing hidden thorns. HELEN E. DAVIS ROANOKE