ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996                  TAG: 9605210077
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-8  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER

PUBLIC A NO-SHOW AT OPEN HOUSE

The consulting firm preparing a study to chart future development of downtown Roanoke opened an office to the public on Monday afternoon, but the public didn't appear very interested.

Despite low attendance, Urban Design Associates of Pittsburgh will open its working sessions again, all day today and Wednesday morning in the Knights of Pythias building at 513 S. Jefferson St. So far, the only thing on view is a series of land-use maps.

Matthew Kennell, executive director of Downtown Roanoke Inc., said the schedule Monday was plagued by "opening day miscommunication."

Downtown Roanoke Inc. advertised that Monday's session would be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. A sign outside the building, however, said the opening was from noon to 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., the office was deserted, with no consultants or visitors in sight.

Barry J. Long Jr., who is working on the project for Urban Design Associates, said the planners took a bus tour of Roanoke on Monday morning. Monday night, they met with the steering committee for the project and chairpersons of the various subcommittees.

Long said this week's visit to Roanoke follows unannounced meetings with the steering committee and city officials.

Kennell said the consultants will "present what they've learned" at a meeting at the Patrick Henry Hotel from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said the consultants will return for a week in July with more concrete plans. A third week is yet to be scheduled. The plan is due to be presented in the fall.

LENGTH: Short :   43 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ARNE KUHLMANN Staff Barry Long color-codes a portrait of 
          Roanoke on a map that documents existing development conditions. 
          color.