Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 6, 1993 TAG: 9311060097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER and SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The 1:30 p.m. event is not being called a groundbreaking, but it will serve the same purpose. It also is an opportunity to demonstrate some of the technology that promoters hope will make the $13 million center appealing in the convention market.
The cost of the entire project, including renovation of Hotel Roanoke, is $41.5 million. The hotel renovation is being financed by private money, some of it raised by Renew Roanoke. The city is paying for the conference center.
Monday's ceremonies will be simulcast on the Virginia Tech campus cable television system and on monitors at the hotel, said Beverly James, special project coordinator for the center.
The Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission has decided to award the contract to the low bidder - a joint proposal by J.M. Turner & Co. of Roanoke and F.N. Thompson of Charlotte, N.C. - but some details and negotiations must be finished before the documents are signed, which should happen within 30 days.
At least 50 percent of the work would be done by local firms and workers and 9 percent of the project will be done by minority-owned or women-owned businesses.
Lee Wilhelm, president of Turner, said the Turner-Thompson plan is a commitment to negotiate with their subcontractors, suppliers and vendors to make good-faith efforts to include local, women, minority and small firms.
Wilhelm said Turner and Thompson have contacted potential subcontractors who have said they want to work on the project.
"The city and conference center commission have clearly indicated the importance of involving local, minority and small businesses," Wilhelm said.
"Our plan is a way to put into writing those issues and to make a commitment to work diligently to further involve the local community."
by CNB