Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 11, 1993 TAG: 9308110021
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Just build a pedestrian bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks if you want to link a renovated Hotel Roanoke with the Dominion Tower and the City Market area.
What's the hassle?
It's an idea that has been discussed intermittently for more than two decades.
So everything should be settled by now, right?
Not quite.
It's more complicated than it might appear.
You've got to decide on the bridge's location, design, material and other features.
And that's why the city gathered about 50 downtown merchants, architects, tourism leaders and others on the unfinished 21st story of the Dominion Tower on Tuesday to get their ideas.
The assembled group did not really need a map to get their bearings. All the participants had to do was to literally look down upon the hotel and downtown and see alternative locations for the pedestrian bridge.
The participants were divided into three small groups for discussions on the location, design and other features of the bridge.
In an almost uncanny outcome, all three groups came up with similar ideas.
All said the pedestrian bridge should extend from the corner of the Dominion Tower to the Conference Center, which is to be built as a part of the $42 million hotel project.
They said this location would help protect the scenic vistas of the hotel from downtown.
All said it should be predominantly glass with observation decks or areas where pedestrians could see trains. The enclosed bridge should be heated in winter and ventilated in the summer.
William Whitwell, a professor of architecture at Hollins College and chairman of the city's Architectural Review Board, said the bridge provides an opportunity to make a dramatic visual statement about the city's future.
The bridge, which must be 24 feet above the railroad tracks, will be a large structure, Whitwell said. It should be focused on the future and put Roanoke on the cutting edge of new technology, he said.
The participants said they want the bridge connected to the Dominion Tower partly because it doesn't interfere with the green space on the tower's east side.
They said it would also be more convenient for hotel guests to use the overflow parking in the tower parking garage if the enclosed bridge connects to the garage.
William Clark, city public works director, said architects from Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern will develop several alternatives as a result of Tuesday's workshop. Another meeting will be held in about a month to review the alternatives. State funds are expected to cover most of the bridge's $2.1 million cost.
by CNB