Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993 TAG: 9311020252
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Councilman Delvis "Mac" McCadden wanted Roanoke to make a bid to have the Carvins Cove reservoir used as a kayak training site in July 1996.
But several council members said Monday they did not want to do anything that might jeopardize the reservoir, which is the city's main water supply.
Council also vetoed a proposal for a mountain bicycle race on the Carvins Cove property next May for the same reason.
Council members said the recent disclosure that zebra mussels nearly reached Smith Mountain Lake has heightened their concerns about protecting Carvins Cove.
About 30 zebra mussels were recently discovered on a yacht that was brought to Smith Mountain Lake from Lake Michigan. The yacht, which was purchased by a Smith Mountain Lake resident, was transported by truck.
When it arrived at the Pelican Point Yacht Club, the shellfish were found on the boat's exterior. The yacht club notified the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Department.
"With the potential problems that the zebra mussel could cause, we don't know what might happen," said Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, chairwoman of the city's Water Resources Committee.
Councilman James Harvey said city residents might also be angered if Carvins Cove were closed to them during the kayak training.
Roanoke officials came under attack last year from boaters and anglers for proposing restrictions on the use of boats on Carvins Cove. Roanoke requires all boats that are used on the reservoir to be inspected. Boat owners must also certify that their craft have been in no waters other than Carvins Cove in the previous three weeks.
\ ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL\ IN OTHER ACTION\ \ PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRACKS: Asked City Manager Bob Herbert to meet with several people who are worried that the proposed pedestrian bridge and the new Second Street bridge might interfere with a proposed linear park along the railroad tracks from the Hotel Roanoke to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Kay Houck, executive director of the museum, said she believes that more study is needed to make sure the bridges are compatible with the proposal. Downtown Roanoke Inc. has concerns about some design features and footprint of the pedestrian bridge, which would link Hotel Roanoke and the City Market area.
\ TOWER PARKING GARAGE: Received a bid by First Union National Bank of Virginia to lease 250 spaces in the garage at a rate of $23 a month for five years. As a condition of the bid specifications, the bank agreed to bring 200 additional jobs downtown. These are jobs that were previously announced. The regular fee for monthly parking in the tower garage is $55, but the city decided to seek the bids for 250 spaces at reduced rate because more than half of the 725 spaces in the garage are empty.
\ ROANOKE VISION '93: Council was briefed on the city's comprehensive plan, which is being updated. John Marlles, chief of community planning, said the draft plan should be finished by early next year. Council is expected to be asked to approve the plan in February.
by CNB