ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610020027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: MARK CLOTHIER STAFF WRITER
Vision Radford, a fledgling citizen's group, on Monday proposed turning an alley into a better link with Radford University and a means to boost the city's struggling downtown.
The proposal, which followed five months of work, would turn Pickett Street between Tyler and Third avenues into a walkway with lights, greenery and seating.
About 60 people watched as the group handed out pamphlets and played a video, detailing an artist's rendering of what the proposed walkway might look like. They even dusted off a tune from the Judds - "Love Can Build a Bridge," as a segue between the presentation and a question and answer session to gauge the interest of the local business people in attendance.
The hope, said group member Doug Bowman, is that a task force would take the idea and develop it.
Jeff Price is a Radford developer and resident who recently bought and plans to renovate the old First and Merchants Bank building on Norwood Street. Price said he bought the bank building because he thinks he can make a difference in the downtown.
"But before business and property owners are willing to spend money they'll need to see a return," he said. "And you're not going to see entrepreneurs like myself spend money until we see projects get started."
Charlie Whitescarver, owner of 1106 Tavern on Norwood Street and former owner of Hot Chilies restaurant, which lasted less than three years in the Norwood Center, also spoke.
"I've seen these visions before. But the problem here is a little more fundamental," he said.
"We have to change the attitude of the people of Radford. Looking around this room, I'm not seeing a lot of people who were ever inside Hot Chilies. If the residents of Radford don't support us, there'll never be enough tax revenue to support something like this," Whitescarver said.
Shawn Hash owns Java River Coffee Co., a coffee shop on Norwood Street in downtown Radford. Hash expressed frustration with what he called a strong turnout at the meeting but a failure of many of the business people in attendance to come downtown.
"If you have a burning passion for the downtown community, come down there," he said. "I'm not just talking in terms of spending money, I'm talking in terms of being a visible presence downtown. I'll even treat you to a cup of coffee."
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