ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604050044
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: HELEN E. DAVIS
ROANOKE city and the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority have been - and still are - cruel, deceptive and insensitive to our black communities. Greed, arrogance, hypocrisy, lies and deceit appear to be their modus operandi. Take (or attempt) a ride through our Gainsboro neighborhood - Roanoke's birthplace. It looks like a war zone! The Gainsboro-Second Street four-lane highway will be a real and easily observable barrier within this community and city.
Amid the destruction and construction of highways now comes a plan for Henry Street night clubs, restaurants, an amphitheater (to result in loud music), air and noise pollution, increased vehicular and foot traffic (more than 1 million tourists per year are anticipated), and who knows what else. Mind you, this is right next to the homes of people who live on Wells and Gilmer avenues and a place of worship - First Baptist Church. (It appears a jazz memorial is planned for part of this church's parking lot.)
I think the city should:
* By all means improve the infrastructure on Henry and nearby streets.
* Return Hotel Dumas (now called the Henry Street Jazz Center) to its former and rightful owners from which it was taken and then conveyed, free of any charges, to Total Action Against Poverty. (Oh, you didn't know that? Check the records, my dear friends.) Hotel Dumas could then be the anchor on Henry Street, not the housing authority's building.
The current proposed plan for Henry Street shouldn't be the only plan to be considered. Our black community has intelligent, wealthy business people who can and should be given an opportunity and the time to devise an economic-development plan that will focus on the true historical significance of Henry Street. There are small-business owners and operators of all ethnic groups who will provide services to residents and other citizens alike. Then Henry Street would be a true reflection of its history, and a beautiful mecca that all would support and enjoy.
Look at economic development in Roanoke and see whose community is always ``taken'' and hit the hardest. Enough is enough! Our black community is experiencing a "betrayal of silence" from some high- and low-profile people who ought to be alarmed, concerned and vocal.
I know Roanoke can do better. Its sad and sordid history of mistreating the black community and its own birthplace shouldn't be repeated.
Helen E. Davis of Roanoke is secretary for the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District Inc.
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