Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 15, 1994 TAG: 9401150264
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Former state Sen. Granger Macfarlane raised the issue Friday as he took over as chairman of the city's Economic Development Commission.
"You won't have to drag us into consideration of that," City Manager Bob Herbert said. "We will do it willingly. That is an important long-range issue for the city."
"The city is open to the idea of sharing the costs and tax benefits," said Brian Wishneff, the city's chief of economic development. "We'd love it if this commission would provide the leadership on this issue."
The commission, a 12-member group appointed by the City Council to help promote business and industrial development, has been inactive in recent months. Mayor David Bowers appointed Macfarlane to revive it.
Macfarlane said he envisions the push for a regional industrial park proceeding simultaneously with the city's effort to encourage development within its boundaries.
Macfarlane said such a park should contain at least 300 acres. Some people have even suggested that it should cover 1,000 acres, he said. Some commission members raised the possibility of two or three parks, each containing several hundred acres.
Macfarlane said the regional effort should involve Salem, Vinton and the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig, and he suggested that business leaders might bring the localities together.
In the meantime, the commission will work on three other assignments from Bowers:
Expansion of the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology: During the 1980s, the commission played a major role in the development of the 300-acre business and industrial park off U.S. 460.
Several years ago, the city bought about 150 acres to expand the industrial park, but the land has remained undeveloped. Bowers has asked the commission and city staff to extend roads and utilities to the expansion area so it can be marketed.
Develop plans for another shell building in the city's industrial park: The partially completed building could be modified to meet the needs of a business wishing to locate in the park.
Work with the commission to develop a strategy for world trade that would benefit Roanoke.
by CNB