
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 10, 1994                   TAG: 9402100180
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EX-MAYOR SEES NEED FOR STADIUM

City Councilman Delvis "Mac" McCadden's campaign for a new stadium in Roanoke has won the partial endorsement of former Mayor Noel Taylor.

Taylor said Wednesday he agrees that Roanoke needs a multipurpose stadium that could be used for high school baseball, football, track, festivals and other events.

But the former mayor said he is not ready to endorse the proposed site between Hotel Roanoke and the Henry Street renewal project.

"There is no doubt there is a need for a stadium, but the concern is the location," said Taylor, chairman of the Henry Street Revival Committee.

Some residents fear that a stadium could disrupt the Gainsboro neighborhood, and others believe it would be inappropriate next to the Hotel Roanoke and conference center.

Some neighborhood leaders have said they were stunned by McCadden's proposal.

McCadden told the committee he is not wedded to the Gainsboro site, but he believes it would be the most beneficial for downtown businesses.

He said a stadium would not interfere with either the Henry Street or Hotel Roanoke projects.

At this point, McCadden said, he is not asking the Henry Street Committee to endorse the proposal - just think about it.

Committee member Bruce Brenner said he does not believe Henry Street is the right location for a stadium. He said McCadden should have taken the proposal to the city Planning Commission first.

by CNB