Welcome to the first in a series of position papers written especially for you, the public, so that you may understand my stance on certain topics so that you may readily decide if I am worthy of your support in my bid to become Overlord of Roanoke.
Todays topic: Decisions, Decisions....
As you all know, Victory Stadium has long caused headaches among the electorate in Roanoke. Even as I write this, an independant slate has been announced for City Council. A trio of canidates, each with various backgrounds and experiences, and yet the only issue we have heard about (as of yet) is Victory Stadium, and the stadiums to be built at the High Schools.
As if the City Council is not crippled enough with the talk of "what to do with Victory," and having invited the War of the two Stadiums to dominate water-cooler talk since the Nov. 7th meeting. The lack of decision-making skills on the part of the City Council is disheartening at best. And this is just one issue that nearly brought the city to a halt on several occasions.
The revitalization of Downtown is another matter entirely. The City Market Building lease issues, the Art Museum unable to find a willing contractor and basically allowing one of the most valuable lots downtown to sit vacant. Elmwood Park and the problem of the city's homeless. Jefferson St. and its vast empty retail spaces. The development of downtown living, be it apartments or condominium, and the lack of resources for living downtown 24/7.
And the city council studies, and studies, and waits, and studies... and yet continues to pay for these studies with no decision made. The new zoning regulations are the first step in optimizing space within the city, yet there is still indecision about them.
I see no reason for indecision on any of these issues. Victory Stadium would be the easiest solution. In a nutshell, corporate sponsorship. Victory Stadium at Carilion BioMed. AEP Victory Stadium. Victory Stadium, sponsored by Roanoke Fruit and Produce.
Simply put - allow for sponsorship of the stadium, get a comprehensive list of repairs and upgrades that need to be made, and use the funds raised by sponsorship to do the work. Was that hard?
Oh right, the high school "stadia". Simple enough as well. Permanent steel bleachers, simple brick and mortar bathrooms, a pair of mobile concession stands (one at each school), a simple scoreboard (unless corporate sponsorship wishes to donate a higher tech one in return for their name on the board), and a top notch playing surface. Steel bleachers with perma-seating for 750, depending on traffic counts for each game that number could be adjusted. Dedicated parking for each game, at a fee which would be a donation for the club or group (school based) which operates parking that day/night.
And thats done.
As for the redevelopment of downtown, I know most of you have never heard of it, but the city offers a program for first time homebuyers. Well, perhaps the city could offer a program for first-time business owners. In addition, funds should be available for the city to buy some of the vacant buildings and lots downtown. These properties could then be offered at attractive rates to businesses which are interested in relocating downtown.
Example: The Heironimous building on Jefferson. There is no reason why a building so large should be vacant, with the exception of the current owner being unable to find someone to outright buy the entire building. I know I have touched on this before - but the building could become a magnet for downtown shopping and recreation. A cafe or two, shops, and a one-stop source for all your ticket needs in the Roanoke area would be a perfect use for the space. Along with building regional bonds, (ie. inviting VT to sell some tickets to games at the ticket counter) it would draw people off Market a little further than most go now. Which in turn, would benifit the area surrounding... And perhaps in a few years time, and with regional support, satillite locations could be opened in Greensboro, Blacksburg, Bedford, Danville, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, and yes, even Smith Mountain Lake.
Every place within a 2 hour drive should be included and a 2-way communication should be opened.
With tickets for the Science Museum being sold in Blacksburg, tickets to Salem Avalanche games being available for pick-up in Martinsville, and Virginia Dare cruise tickets available in Downtown Roanoke, the regional commerce would become truly local. A 2 hour drive is a day trip for most people, and with a destination in mind and tickets in hand - people will travel.
Summation: In short, Roanoke finds itself at the unique moment in history when it would be easiest to upgrade for the future, using that which we have available in the present. The constant studies, expert opinions, and debates have locked Roanoke at a standstill. Roanoke needs decisions, hard and fast, and absolute. But those decisions must be made with an eye towards the future.
Thank you.
1 comment:
You beat me to it, I was going to write a little something about Roanoke not really doing the most it can at this kinda...cross roads of sort when it can go on to a bright big future or continue on it's kind of confused path.
I do like your vision for the victory stadium and the high school stadiums-everyone gets what they want.
And your call for more interregional commerce hints at an idea I've been formulating. And that is that in order for SW VA to really survive in the next 100-200 years the region will have to become so interconnected to the point that it forms a Megalopolis (think of the one up north that runs from NYC to Boston). And no it doesn't necessarily mean a huge city, but a region that works together both in transportation, commerce, and some social programs.
And I've talked enough.
I really enjoyed this entry.
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