ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 1996 TAG: 9602140006
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
Roanoke's Center in the Square on Monday was named one of 25 winners in a national competition for innovative approaches to urban revitalization.
Jim Sears, executive director of the center, accepted the award in New York from Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros, who headed the selection committee.
A news conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. today in the center's atrium to announce the citation.
``Each winner displayed the kind of innovation and commitment that America must have if we are going to solve our most pressing urban challenges,'' Cisneros said.
In December, Center in the Square was named one of 52 finalists in the competition, which HUD is sponsoring to highlight inventive urban revitalization projects for the rest of the world. The center will be showcased at the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, also known as Habitat II or the City Summit. The conference, scheduled for June in Istanbul, Turkey, is expected to be attended by representatives of 180 countries.
Center in the Square's application emphasized how much the rejuvenation of the City Market has grown up around the arts and museum building. The center opened nearly 13 years ago with the idea of providing free space for several cultural organizations under one roof. Since then, 80 new businesses have sprung up in the market area.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB