Downtown Roanoke… Revisiting its Redistricting Plan?
August 21st, 2007 by Ira Kaufman
As a Roanoke Businessperson, I am always looking for new venues to promote Downtown Roanoke business. RoanokeBiz2Biz.com will be establishing a new target area on our website that will focus on Downtown Businesses.
I recently attended three great meetings with the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development. Brian Brown, Economic Development Administrator, shared working outlines for implementing the districting of the downtown that was outlined in the “97 Outlook Plan. This looked very exciting but we learned it was never implemented.
I was introduced to Jack Barber, Developer of 110 Campbell – Commonwealth Park, the old Leggett building. Here are some of Jack’s comments on development of the new proposed district encompassing his new office complex.
“As a property owner in Downtown I have a fiduciary duty to account for all the monies that my partnership spends which includes the amounts that we pay to the city for the special tax district which we are members. DRI referred me to this districting plan that was never implemented which basically enables me to have a say in how my money is to be spent; first on a district level and then in conjunction with the needs of our neighbors in the other districts. I have been successful in working with Brian Brown of the City EDA to basically define and outline as a pilot project what is known as the Rail District. The Rail District is a Economic Development unit that is bounded by Jefferson on the east side, the railroad tracks on the north side, Fifth Street on the west side, and snakes down between the middle of Campbell and Kirk on the south side.“
“Although this is a fairly large area, myself and others see the district informally breaking down into several neighborhoods that have their own concerns; but the overall direction of the district can be governed by initiatives that arise out of the desire of the citizens to take control of their future. This organization can be replicated in all the other districts as they organize. Further, the model also should be the governing principle for the City. In this way, the stakeholders (the property owners, business owners, residents etc.) can communicate their needs in a concerted effort to City Hall. In addition, City Hall, by having this model in place, has the ability to communicate in a methodical way back to its citizens. City Hall can now address their challenges and opportunities in a way that is more conducive to an orderly and representative society. Bottom line, it’s good for the business of the citizens as well as the city.”
This plan seems to be a great venue for developing and promoting the identity of different districts. I want to lend my support. I welcome your comments. What are the next steps needed to make it operational?
Ira Kaufman
President RoanokeBiz2Biz
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Roanoke Business News, Community, Business, Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:19 am
Ira,
Along with several other plans studied and yet not implemented - what are the odds of the Outlook 97 plan coming to reality?
Considering the current state of the City Council, I would think LESS control would be the order of the day. As a Roanoke businessman, does this council seem to be addressing the needs of the businesses?
I feel we are at a crossroads, and the actions we take in the next few years as citizens and businesspeople will dramatically affect the future Roanoke as a viable city.
Looking forward to the next Blog forum, and hope those out there who started blogs because of the last one are doing well with them.
Keith
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Keith
Thanks for the comment.
There seems to be much activity on the part of local developers to take some positive action in this area. The goal of this plan is to encourage local participation of the stakeholders in the growth of each of the districts.
THe City Council and the Office of Economic Development seem to be open to looking at the plan.
The most important conversation is a public converation and dialgue. If the stakeholders request and deamnd action the Coucil I believe will respond.
We need bloggers and businesspeople to use this and other public forums to have their voices heard. The Council represents us and will listen to respected voices looking for positive changes for our community.
This plan is about less control and more active participation of local stakeholders.
Let’s work together to build one effective working district to prove the efficacy of the Plan.
We will comunicate new developments via Biz Talk -this blog. Please spread the word and keep in touch.
Ira
August 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am
This is quite interesting for many reasons. The complexity of it amplifies the absolute need and creates simplicity at the same time. It seems the City needs a “roadmap” to move forward instead of dealing with personalities and their wants and needs and concentrates on the future of our city. Even if it has to be modified it IS a beginning point and alleviates the normal tendency to start something…….in the middle.
I will do whatever I can to make this a viable alternative to the current hit and miss attempts.
Count me in.
Lance Hodges, President
Sound Ad-Vice Advertising, Inc.
Webb Mountain Media, Inc.
August 26th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
[…] Roanoke City revisits it's downtown re-districting plan, two other Downtown Roanoke establishments closed their […]