Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 18, 1993 TAG: 9302180289
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BOWERS LOBBIES FOR AMTRAK SERVICE
Vice President Al Gore, a former Tennessee senator, may be Roanoke's ticket to Amtrak train service.So says Mayor David Bowers, who wants Amtrak to be part of the city's renewed effort to attract tourists.
Bowers has proposed that Roanoke join with Chattanooga, Tenn., to seek passenger train service.
Because of Gore's political connections with officials in Chattanooga and other communities in eastern Tennessee, Bowers said Wednesday, the vice president could be an effective spokesman for Amtrak service in the region.
Speaking to the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bowers said he has contacted Chattanooga officials about lobbying for Amtrak.
Chattanooga Mayor Gene Roberts has said that his city is interested in working with Roanoke in getting passenger service.
Bowers hopes to organize a two-state lobbying campaign to get Amtrak to provide service between Roanoke and Chattanooga.
Amtrak officials say they would like to serve the area, but they don't have the equipment or money to do it now.
Amtrak has made studies to determine the cost for a new route through Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. Roanoke and Chattanooga would be stops on the route.
Bowers also told the convention bureau's board of directors that he wants city officials to take another look at the possibility of a mini-streetcar system in downtown. New federal legislation might provide some federal money for a streetcar system.
He has also proposed that the city invest $1 million in the Virginia Museum of Transportation in the next decade to help upgrade its exhibits.
The transportation museum and streetcar system could become attractions for tourists, especially for those attending conferences and conventions at the renovated Hotel Roanoke, he said.
The board also was told that federal funds may be available to help establish a low-band radio station to persuade travelers on Interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway to stop in the Roanoke Valley.
Tim Gubala, economic development director for Roanoke County and a member of the convention board, said an application will be filed with the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Before the possibility of federal funds arose, Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County were asked to provide $35,000 each in their 1993-94 budgets to fund the radio station.