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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 16, 1995                   TAG: 9502240005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VIADUCT, NOT SKYWALK, FOR DOWNTOWN ROANOKE

The skywalk will hide our beautiful Hotel Roanoke, and it's a sin and a disgrace.

The skywalk across the railroad tracks is not necessary, and the public knows it and has not asked for it. So it should not be forced down our throats.

What the public really liked was the auto viaduct that gave us the best view (on the south side) of our hotel. Therefore, the viaduct should be rebuilt around the office tower and connected with its stub, which fortunately is still remaining.

The hotel is undoubtedly the unofficial symbol of our city and should be treated as such.

As matters now stand, the hotel can be seen, to advantage, only from an airplane above it. The conference center blocks the view from the west, and the First Union office tower blocks the view from the south. Both of those new buildings also block the view of St. Andrews and the old First Baptist churches that are historic landmarks.

I urge readers of this letter to drive east on Norfolk Avenue, after leaving Jefferson Street (at the First Union tower). Go slowly, and stop a few times, and look to your left at what little you can still see of the hotel.

Let City Council know how you feel. They were elected to run our city and to do so in the best possible manner.

May the Lord protect our city and its symbol.

Hoskins M. Sclater

Roanoke