Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9505010065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Allen said the economic benefits for Western Virginia will extend far beyond the $42 million that was spent on renovating the 113-year-old hotel and constructing the high-technology conference center.
"It is a signal of confidence in the region's future," he said. "It has a far greater significance for the region and state."
Allen, who has made economic development a cornerstone of his administration, said the hotel project shows what can happen if businesses, government, universities and private citizens work together.
He spoke at the dedication and grand opening of the hotel, which has accepted guests since its "soft" opening April 3.
For the school chorus at Monterey Elementary School in Roanoke, it was an opportunity to be part of history. The fourth- and fifth-graders sang an original song about the hotel, "The Grand Old Lady," as part of a musical celebration before the dedication.
Daniel Womack, a blind 90-year singer who once worked at the hotel, entertained the audience with his gospel music. The Virginia Tech Quantum Brass also performed.
About 300 people attended the ceremony in the bright morning sun as federal, state and local politicians filled the stage. There were eight speakers, but most remarks were brief.
Paraphasing Abraham Lincoln, Mayor David Bowers said few people would note or long remember what was said Saturday.
"But Roanoke will never forget what we did," Bowers said.
David Goode, chairman of Norfolk Southern Corp., which closed the hotel in 1989 and gave it to Virginia Tech, said the railroad is proud of and satisfied with the success of the renovation project.
The railroad built the hotel, nurtured it for 100 years and worked hard to see that it was preserved when it gave it to Tech, Goode said.
"We cherish this hotel. We have been proud of it. And we have loved it," he said. "This is a continuation of a tradition and serves as an example of what we can do together."
The hotel is owned by the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation Inc. and Renew Roanoke Inc., the group that raised $7 million in private funds to help finance the renovation. The conference center is owned by Tech and the city of Roanoke.
Thomas Robertson, president of Renew Roanoke, said Roanoke cherishes the hotel because it is a young city without the rich history of older urban areas
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., recalled staying at the hotel when he was a student at Washington and Lee University. The renovation will preserve a Virginia tradition, he said.
"It is a day of joy and celebration. A day of triumph," said Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke. "We celebrate the renewal of the place where our grandparents danced."
The Rev. Kenneth Wright, pastor of the First Baptist Church, coined a new description for the hotel and conference center during his invocation: the grand lady on the hill and the new man on the mountain.
Virginia Tech President Paul Torgersen said the university became involved in the project because of the opportunity to expand its educational programs. The hotel and conference center also offered the chance to link education and economic development, he said.
Torgersen said that the $7 million fund-raising drive by Renew Roanoke saved the project. And Tech can't thank the city enough for its cooperation and work, he said.
A sold-out, invitation-only gala benefiting Renew Roanoke was held Saturday night at the hotel.
Doubletree Hotels Corp., the manager for the hotel and conference center, decided to invest in the project because the company was impressed with the community's support, said Richard Kelleher, president and chief executive officer of the Phoenix-based company.
"Generally, we don't invest in hotels that we manage, but we felt this was an investment well worth making." Kelleher said Doubletree has put its finest management team in the hotel and conference center.
There have been start-up problems and complaints about delays in service during the hotel's first few weeks, but General Manager Gary Walton said most of those have been resolved.
In the hotel industry, a soft opening, such as the one on April 3, means that a hotel is open for business with the understanding that the facility isn't finished and staff isn't fully trained.
The hotel is almost filled this weekend for the dedication and gala, he said, but it had a few more guests last weekend, when every room was filled by high school students for a convention.
"Still, it's a very busy weekend for us," Walton said.
by CNB