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Downtown Roanoke Agenda
Dear Citizens of Roanoke, You may have heard that Roanoke City Council and the City Manager recently selected an operator for the proposed amphitheater on Reserve Avenue. This decision was made with no public discussion by City Council and no input from you the citizens. Now if allowed to continue, Roanoke will spend $12,600,000 of your money to fund this project. Unfortunately, this announcement by the Council majority and City Manager coincidentally came hours after we presented a downtown plan that we believe will help reinvigorate Roanoke and improve the economic climate in our City. Many studies have shown that vibrant downtowns are vital to the success of cities. Our plan for Roanoke presents an alternative that we feel is a better use of your money to accomplish this important goal. You as a citizen of Roanoke have a stake in the future success of our city and that is part of the reason why we feel it is so important that you understand the situation. The basic elements of our proposal for these funds are as follows: 1. Elmwood Park Amphitheater ($3,000,000): We propose building a 2,000-3,000 seat downtown amphitheater in Elmwood Park. This facility would have many natural synergies with existing downtown businesses and be an economic development engine for our entire City. 2. City Market Building Renovation ($3,000,000): There has been recent discussion of the need to renovate the City Market Building. Dedicating a portion of these funds would ensure that these badly needed renovations are completed in a timely and effective manner. 3. Center in the Square Renovation ($1,000,000): These funds represent the initial payment on a multi-year City $4,000,000 commitment for this $27,000,000 renovation and reinvention of Center in the Square. Unlike the Reserve Avenue project which would be 100% funded by the City, this use would leverage the City’s investment with significant private investment. 4. Church Ave. Garage Renovation ($1,500,000): By renovating this garage with these funds, the City would not need to borrow money for this project. By avoiding borrowing, no parking rate increase would be necessary and people would be further encouraged to visit downtown. 5. Farmers Stall Modernization ($250,000): Farmers and other vendors that use the market stalls have requested that the City provide amenities for the stalls including heat and electricity. This project would allow vendors to improve the offerings currently available on the market. 6. Market Square Improvements ($850,000): This money would be used to complete aesthetic and functional improvements to Market Square that would make it easier for this location to support a variety of uses, which will attract people to the area on nights and weekends. 7. New 600+ space Williamson Rd Parking Garage ($3,000,000): We propose to replace the current parking lot across from Link Museum with new hotel rooms and meeting space for an expanded Hotel Roanoke on top of a new parking garage. This strategic location allows for the garage to serve multiple users including Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, the Civic Center, the improved Market Building and the new Art Museum. These funds represent the initial City contribution for planning and design of a much larger multi-million dollar project. We feel strongly that these seven projects, which we have estimated to cost the same $12,600,000 as the Reserve Avenue project, provide a much more effective use of your money that will improve our City’s economic well-being and the quality of life for all of us who call Roanoke home. Sincerely, Mayoral candidate David Bowers and Roanoke City Councilman and candidate Brian Wishneff
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