Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 23, 1994 TAG: 9406240040
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFFREY R. WENDELL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lure those tourists off Interstate 81 with a rail trip from Roanoke to Christiansburg over the Eastern Continental Divide.
The Eastern Continental Divide is what divides and, at the same time, unites the Roanoke and New River valleys with its frontier history, railroad tradition, ease of movement on I-81 and its all-around splendor. It even sounds right. Tourists just might warm up to it.
The Roanoke Civic Center needs an outdoor sign advertising its upcoming and existing attractions.
How many times have you driven by on I-581 and muttered: ``I wonder what's going on at the civic center?'' The recent appearance of banners heralding activities is an indication of the need. Sure, we need the electronic sign at the civic center to attract bigger leagues, but we can pay for a sign outside with increased attendance. Come up with a simple design that will work, and I'm sure we can finance and build it.
Roanoke's mass-transit system is a valiant effort at extracting people from their automobiles. But the most effective effort will be one that's easier for the average person to visualize ... like tracks. One knows where they start and where they go.
Our unique valley is riddled with railroad tracks that wend their way through entire neighborhoods, all centering downtown. Park-and-Ride never had it so good, and so doable. No rocket scientist is required to schedule freight traffic. If Norfolk Southern wishes to impact our valley once again in another positive way, here's one relatively low-cost concept. It will work because the average person can visualize themselves riding the rails in a modern railcar, or an open-air vintage wagon in the spring. It might even be fun.
Jeffrey R. Wendell of Roanoke is president of John Norman, Inc., clothing stores.
by CNB