ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 6, 1996 TAG: 9607080035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
Town Council has approved the demolition of the Lowe's building on North Franklin Street, awarding the contract for that work to Alan L. Amos Inc. of Roanoke for $25,500.
As part of the deal, the contractor will keep whatever material from the building it wants to salvage. The town has already taken light fixtures and siding from the building, which was badly damaged by a January snow storm. Christiansburg will use the siding for a shed at its public works area, said Town Manager John Lemley.
Once the building is razed, the town will construct a long-awaited recreation center at the site.
In other news:
* Council voted 4-2 to approve a 10-year franchise extension for American Cable Entertainment, provider of cable television services in much of Christiansburg. The company asked for the franchise extension to help secure a loan to upgrade its services.
Council member Jack Via said he voted against the extension because "I want them to get the idea they don't have a rubber stamp here."
American Cable has had its share of customer complaints, Via said, and "These people need to understand that they do have some fence-mending to do."
Another council member, Ray "Eddy" Lester, also voted against the extension. "Well, I just have never been real pleased with the cable TV service that we've gotten ... I just had problems with granting a 10-year extension on a promise when I haven't been real satisfied with what I've gotten in the past," he said.
Ervin Strauss, general manager for American Cable, could not be reached for comment.
* Mayor Harold Linkous reminded residents that the U.S. Postal Service is accepting responses about the planned move of its downtown post office. The postal service has its sights set on consolidating its downtown and Cambria offices, possibly in the commercial area at the intersection of U.S. 460 and Peppers Ferry Road. The five-acre site would feature a 29,000-square-foot building, high-tech sorting equipment and expanded parking.
But Linkous said the jury is still out whether or not the postal service will shut its downtown office. If enough residents respond, the service may keep the office open so that residents can mail letters and buy stamps without having to fight traffic at the new site.
* Lemley said preliminary plans for the widening of Peppers Ferry Road from its intersection with U.S. 460 to the town limits are available for public inspection in the town hall. The Virginia Department of Transportation will schedule a public information meeting in September, he said.
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