A New Roanoke...Not So Much
In a step toward the "New South," The city hired a firm to come up with some ideas to make Roanoke look new again.
I love it. The market looks almost like New Orleans with balconies that extend over little outdoor sitting areas. There is a trolley system and a theatre. It's everything anybody who loves this city would want. It's just too bad it'll never happen.
I hate to be negative about this town. I love Roanoke and I want to raise a family here. But history has shown that there is a group of people that will never allow something new.
It's the same group of people who fought hard to kill plans of a new stadium amphitheatre when the land was cleared and construction ready to roll. All of the optimism in the world will not bring these plans to fruition.
New Orleans in Roanoke? Even the mere mention of that city is sure to bring fear to the people who sit on there front step and pray that the view across the street remains the same.
The Roanoke Times article mentions that the city would like to move fast with these plans. It says the city hopes to set aside money in the next budget to start construction. That may be...but really knowing this town means you know that the final version of this project will mean power washing the existing buildings and giving them a new coat of paint.
To read the Roanoke Times article about the changes and to see more pictures CLICK HERE
To post a comment CLICK HERE
posted by Elliot @ 2:11 PM
14 Comments:
we disagree on A LOT of subjects, but this one we couldn't agree more. Roanoke could be THE mid sized town on the east coast, but the people are so in fear of change it won't happen. It's sad, very sad.
Don't forget the inevitable charges of racism and of Roanoke being "run by a samll group of rich people who want to ram this down our throats". I predict it will need at LEAST 5 years of study and thousands of dollars paid to consultants who will evaluate the racial and elitist implications of these consultants plans.
this is why we exist my friend. to fight for what we the people, who make this town run, want. Not the people who sit in the offices and produce nothing, contribute nothing, and consume everything.
We are the future of Roanoke, and its about damn time we started acting like it.
What does racism have to do with the subject? Oh yeah, it has to be brought into ever subject!!
The people that fought the stadium believed that we already had a stadium enriched with history. I don't think it is the same thing. The problem I have is when you look at a city's beautification project like Bullet Ave in Vinton?? It sucks!
Captain, Barge Inn
www.BargeInn.net
BUT Roanokefound we are NOT making this town run; we are stopping progress in its tracks. WE are doing nothing...nothing except endless study and handwringing about why we are not growing and attracting businesses and jobs. Our leaders are not leading; they are piddling about, too timid to make decisions that will open them up to any criticism, especially criticism of racism or insensitivity to "the people's" nostalgic sensibilities.
As a people, we are mired in the quagmire of indecision - do we want progress and growth, or do we want things to be the same they have always been. Don't touch the star! God forbid they remove the H&C coffee sign! And let the 7:00 AM whistle continue forever!
And the Stadium? My GOD, City Council! Make SOME DECISION and let's get ON with it! Realize that some people are going to be unhappy with the decision, but show some leadership PLEASE!
Hey Captain...
You don't think the same people will say downtown is enriched with history?
As a former Roanoker...I have to agree with the author. Roanoke is her own worst enemy. I left because of a lack of focus in the city (and no higher paying jobs for college grads). I would love to see Roanoke live up up her potential, but until there is a change in leadership there will never be a change in direction.
There were some great ideas being proposed (although I don't think the Spanish Steps idea fits in with the design of the current pedestrian bridge and the new art museum) but I too fear they will just remain ideas.
I also agree with previous comments that City Council members need to grow backbones and make a decision on the Stadium so that Roanoke can just move on. So much money and time has been wasted on this single issue that it is truly depressing. How many times has a "Final" decision been reached? If the politicians are unwilling to risk their careers on the issue, then they should let the voters decide in a referendum. We just need to move on.
Blatherman,
we are not running this town because we have not come togther with enough cohesion to run after a bus.
And if our leaders are not leading, why are they being elected?
Simply put, until you can grasp the fact that we do not have to tolerate this governmental nonsense, we are doomed to it. We need people to realize that we do have a choice, theres a thing called a majority, and if the council does not act in our best interests - it is inherent upon us to find people who do. I think part of the problem is the city council is too deeply entrenched with the older population in Roanoke. There is no one to stand up for those under 40 really.
And heaven forbid I mention the 30 and under crowd, of which I am barely a member anymore.
Too many old people, too much old business, not enough forward thinking.
And that "small group of rich people who want to ram this down our throats"? They're too busy with the Art Museum to worry about anything else. Maybe if we start finding canidates who actually represent Roanoke, we will make more advances. Until then - it's up to the people to express their will.
Roanokefound...The leaders, or more accurately, the council members, are being elected because they are backed by some special interest groups who get out and vote. Until a majority of Roanoke voters gets so nauseated with these indecisive, politically pusillanimous twits that we vote them out of office, which may never ever happen, we are doomed always to stumble and lurch about like a drunk man desperately hoping for a break that will help him escape his self-destructive behavior.
Want to get pissed off? Go on down the River's Edge and take a look at the Soccer Fields the city has our children playing on. Then go to Salem's and look at theirs.
Blather,
I dont know, citizens concerned with the nonsense going on in town sounds like a pretty strong special interest group to me.
"Until a majority of Roanoke voters gets so nauseated with these indecisive, politically pusillanimous twits that we vote them out of office, which may never ever happen, we are doomed always to stumble and lurch about like a drunk man desperately hoping for a break that will help him escape his self-destructive behavior."
Interesting way to put it, but one problem. Someone, or someones have to go out to the people and rile them up so this happens. Complacent people do not make good voters, they make great victims. Start bringing problems down to ground level, and the public wallet, and you'll see action. This is politics, not brain surgery.
And talk about being pissed off, want to see how good Roanoke has it? Go to the South Bronx, and see their soccer fields. Dirt, with or without rocks/glass/needles/weeds.
Roanoke is pretty damn well off, regardless of what you might think.
Soccer fields are not important, and certainly nothing to whine about. So we dont win awards for our innovative lawn-mowing design. How about focusing on Quality of Life stuff.
Soccer fields.. wow. Priority. Maybe things like that are why Roanoke can get nothing done. People wasting time on stupid stuff like soccer fields, which are grass. As long as its not concrete, I dont see a problem.
Im just stunned.
Let me just say that the big ideas you all are talking about i.e. the AMWV and the Victory Stadium etc. could have both been handled a little differently. Truely when you have things this big, then maybe they should be put to vote. There is an easy way of shutting the people up. Then it isn't truly on the hands of the Council. It is in the hands of the majority. Now I understand that this is not alway possible, however it has been done before. You guys are absolutely right about getting people elected who want what you want, however you will never have an entire City Council who feels exactly the way you do. Sure you might have a majority support on one thing, but not the other. I will admit that the younger crowd, who the City Manager is poorly trying to target, do not have much representation in the Council today. But whos fault is that. I know as a Firefighter, that we have an entire interview process for candidates. Once we have interviewed them, we pick the ones we want, support them and get them elected. Sure it does not always work, but usually. Why don't the young people get the candidates they want elected. The biggest problem is that there usually a candidate for that demographic. So then why not get someone to run. Either way you are not going to win them all.
The best thing that you can do in a democracy when you want what is best for the people is vote. And when the votes are tallied, win or lose, support your community.
RoanokeFound - in your stunned state, you missed my point. The soccer fields relate directly to the city government's support of high school sports (it's where PH has its home games) and parks and recreation (where our kids play), which absolutely are quality of life issues. To compare soccer fields in Roanoke to those in South Bronx is about as relevant as comparing our economy to that of Bangladesh. Comparing our quality of life, and the extent to which our government adds or subtracts to it, to that of an adjacent community, is completely relevant and appropriate for this topic.
Blatherman...e-mail me at smellykatthang@yahoo.com
I have a question for you.
Smells
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home