Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 24, 1995 TAG: 9505240066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Earlier this month, a state study said passenger train service could be operated profitably once again between Bristol and urban areas such as Richmond and Washington, D.C.
Council members said Monday they want to be on board. They asked the New River Planning Commission to send a copy of the study to the city's Planning Commission.
The study says the new rail service could be operated by Amtrak, by a contractor or by the state. Trains would utilize the Norfolk Southern tracks that run through Radford.
Stations at locations yet to be designed along the route would cost about $500,000 each, the study said. Communities would be responsible for paying the cost.
Radford's council wants an early start to examine the city's options should the service become a reality, City Manager Robert Asbury said. "They want to do what's necessary to make it happen."
In other action, City Council voted to allow the city's Industrial Development Authority to sell a shell building to Libla Industries of St. Louis. The price is $600,000.
Although it hasn't been officially announced, the firm plans to open a nail manufacturing plant in the 47,200 square-foot building which will employ 75 workers.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for June 1 at the facility. Robert Skunda, the state secretary of commerce and trade, will attend the ceremony and officially announce the opening of the new industry, Mid Continent Nail Corp.
Council also scheduled a special work session for June 5 to consider a proposal by member Bill Yerrick to exclusively use council's contingency fund of around $250,000 for capital improvement debt retirement.
Members will review a list of capital improvement projects at that meeting. The city faces a number of large-scale and expensive projects involving facilities such as courts and schools.
Also, council approved preliminary plans for a 17-unit town-house development, Cedar Ridge Townhouses, to be located at Tyler and Auburn avenues.
by CNB