Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995 TAG: 9510260012
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DICK WILLIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A neighborhood is many things; some easily measured, some state-of-mind and unmeasurable. One measure of the Old Southwest neighborhood is presented in the historical guidelines put in place to preserve it. These guidelines, developed by the city of Roanoke, are intended to ensure the preservation of buildings that in their aggregate or individually are architecturally, culturally and/or historically of local significance.
We commend the city for thus recognizing the importance of the Old Southwest neighborhood. Putting into effect the Neighborhood Preservation District ensured that a neighborhood whose original residents contributed to the foundation of Roanoke would not disappear under a bulldozer. Without these historical guidelines, too many of the defining structures of the neighborhood disappeared.
To date, Old Southwest has lost far, far too many buildings to demolition. The small geographic area that Old Southwest encompasses means that the loss of one structure has a tremendous effect on the neighborhood as a whole. Streetscapes are altered; the essence of the neighborhood is changed; and because of these changes other structures are put at risk, thus dimming the image of the neighborhood. The continued renovation and restoration of Old Southwest has not only broadened the city's tax base, but has also made the area very attractive to renewed development.
Unfortunately, the very things that make Old Southwest so attractive, beautifully restored buildings, are the very things at risk because of insensitive expansion. The buildings of Old Southwest can accommodate diverse uses in addition to being residential structures. However, when the idea is put forth that "in order to remain in the neighborhood" buildings must be razed to make room for larger buildings, we have lost sight of the goal set by residents and the city - the preservation of the neighborhood itself to contribute to the continued positive growth of Roanoke.
Old Southwest strongly encourages the rehabilitation and continued use of existing buildings rather than their demolition. Old Southwest also recognizes that - just as in suburban neighborhoods - families and businesses sometimes outgrow their starter homes and offices, and move to larger quarters elsewhere. So, too, must this happen in the historic Old Southwest neighborhood.
The Old Southwest neighborhood is facing just such an expansion problem as it relates to the Episcopal diocese. We support the Architectural Review Board's guidelines for the H-2 District regarding the demolition of supporting structures. These guidelines state that demolition can only be allowed when loss of the structure is in accordance with the district, will not be adverse to the district by virtue of its uniqueness or its significance, and will not have an adverse affect on the character and surrounding environment of the district. Old Southwest opposes the loss of any structures in its area unless this demolition is mandated by public-safety concerns.
Dick Willis of Roanoke is president of Old Southwest Inc.
by CNB