Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Mayor David Bowers on Monday proposed the city and business community jointly plan to revitalize sections of downtown that haven't shared in the success of the City Market, First Union Tower and Hotel Roanoke.
Dubbed ``Showcase 2001'' by Bowers, the suggestion echoes what some business leaders have been proposing for months: another major planning effort focusing on the downtown core. The first, 16 years ago, was Design '79, which was followed by Design '85.
This time, the mayor said, the emphasis should be on downtown streets west of Jefferson that are dotted with empty storefronts and ``For Lease'' signs: West Campbell, Church and Kirk avenues
The study should also include Warehouse Row on the south side of the Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad tracks and, just to the north, Henry Street, he said.
Matthew Kennell, executive director of Downtown Roanoke Inc., has been talking up a planning effort for downtown's west side since March. He could not be reached for comment Monday.
``Specifically, I am proposing the investment by the city of $75,000 with a match from the business community from Downtown Roanoke Inc. to develop this new master plan ... for the continued revitalization of downtown,'' Bowers told City Council during his annual State of the City Address.
The address recapped suggestions the mayor began making last week.
In letters to council, he proposed that council consider lowering property taxes next year; that the city engage in a strategic planning process to improve the school system; and that the School Board build an elementary school in Northwest Roanoke.
In his speech Monday, Bowers also proposed that:
The city develop a strategic plan that would turn Roanoke into the most pro-business city in the nation.
The suggestion sounded like a mini-version of the New Century Council, a regional business group that began releasing its recommendations Monday.
``While Virginia and Roanoke generally are regarded to have a pro-business attitude, that will not be enough to be successful in the future,'' Bowers said. ``If we expect to attract investment, our environment must be shaped and molded to appeal to those with the resources to make investments.''
The city and Roanoke County jointly implement a group health-insurance program for city and county employees.
The recommendation was part of a $30,000 study by the Washington, D.C.-based consultants Towers Perrin. It is expected to be one of several regional cooperation issues discussed today at a joint City Council-county Board of Supervisors luncheon.
The city and county develop a metropolitan transit district that could fund bus service in the Roanoke Valley.
The federal government last year slashed funding for urban bus systems, forcing the city to increase city taxpayers' subsidy to the local bus system from $408,000 to $671,000. City officials have suggested that the city and portions of the county form a district that imposes a surtax on gasoline to help fund mass transit.
However, the idea already has been rejected by the Board of Supervisors, which doesn't even want to listen to a presentation on it, according to a June 28 letter from County Administrator Elmer Hodge to City Manager Bob Herbert.
A new parking garage be built at the Roanoke Civic Center with access to the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
The proposal was first made last year by consultants in a parking and traffic needs study for both the civic center and hotel, which gobbled up some of the civic center's overflow parking.
Bowers has added a wrinkle, suggesting the garage as a possible site for a practice ice rink for the Roanoke Express hockey team.
``We've had some discussion recently about a practice ice rink,'' he said. ``This might be just the location for that, as well.''
by CNB