ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608090027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEMBROKE
SOURCE: CLAYTON BRADDOCK STAFF WRITER
Town Council has entered into a one-year option to buy a 6.3-acre tract in the center of the town with plans to develop a community commercial center, it was announced Thursday.
The property - with an appraised value of $150,000 - is at U.S. 460 and Cascade Drive next to the new Mormon Church.
The tract is in the Frank Snidow estate and has been in the Snidow family for more than 200 years, said Town Manager Randi Lemmon.
The planned commercial center is aimed at stimulating greater economic development, especially commercial growth, and expanding the town's tax base, Lemmon said.
Such changes reflect recent departures of a number of Pembroke businesses and to meet the needs of a growing residential community, including medical and dental facilities, groceries and restaurants.
Town Council has authorized David Yolton, a Newport surveyor, to prepare a topographic map of the site.
Although the agreement included a one-year option, "failure is not an option," Lemmon said.
Such a planned commercial center, while set in the heart of Pembroke, will be designed to serve other communities in the area, including Eggleston, Maybrook and Hoges Chapel, the town manager said.
Pembroke's traffic along U.S. 460 has increased, along with additional growth of visitor traffic along Cascade Drive to the expanding Cascade Recreation Area.
A $1,000 survey cost will come from either a donation from Pembroke charities or the recently announced $24,000 federal grant awarded to the town for needed improvements in the Cascade Drive section of the town.
Town Council will form a planning committee to seek public support and suggestions about the most desirable businesses for the new community commercial center.
The new project will be carried out in partnership with area banks, businesses, nonprofit groups and local civic-minded investors, Lemmon said.
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