Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Separate fact from mountain of fiction
From the RoundTable blog
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John Lugar
Lugar is a native of Roanoke and is the chairman of Valley Forward.
Several months ago, Valley Forward presented a vision for the Rockledge Inn. After listening to the concerns of the Fishburn family and our citizens, Valley Forward modified the original concept, addressing each concern and ultimately forgoing the inn in favor of a significantly smaller community center. While the Roanoke community has enthusiastically responded to both the original inn idea and the more recent community center, there remains much misinformation about the Rockledge plan. We will separate fact from fiction.
Fiction: Valley Forward wants to destroy and desecrate the mountain.
Fact: Those against the plan portray themselves as the mountain's protectors while those who support it are seen as trespassers. Most members of Valley Forward are Roanoke natives and have enjoyed Mill Mountain in many ways throughout our lifetimes. We hike it, bike it and a few (of the more ambitious) run up it. We take our kids and out-of-town guests to visit. We love the mountain, but recognize that we can add additional ways to enjoy it, while protecting existing uses. We believe a community center on Mill Mountain will broaden the mountain's appeal and welcome everyone, including those who have not visited the mountain in many years.
Fiction: Valley Forward will personally benefit from the Rockledge Plan.
Fact: Valley Forward has no financial interest. The community-owned center would welcome every citizen and financially support the zoo and trails. We would help raise $1 million of the projected building cost of $2.5 million to $2.75 million. This 33 to 40 percent "down payment" greatly reduces the risk of failure.
The Mill Mountain Community Foundation would include representatives of the Fishburn family, Mill Mountain Advisory Committee, city council, zoo and others and would disburse 100 percent of profits to mountain entities. With rents from each restaurant and the Fishburn Community Room (free for non-profits), the center would produce $2.5 million over 20 years, $6 million over 30 years and $11 million over 40 years.
Fiction: Valley Forward doesn't understand the environmental impact.
Fact: Valley Forward remains committed to protecting and respecting the beauty of the Roanoke Valley while looking to enhance and add responsible uses for all citizens. Our inaugural Gallop 4 the Greenways, with generous sponsors and volunteers, raised $35,000 and helped bring the greenway cause much-needed awareness. We ardently support a Carvins Cove conservation easement. The proposed community center would be a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)-certified building, allowing the Roanoke Valley to make a bold statement about our community's environmental commitment.
Fiction: Citizens are against this plan.
Fact: An independent poll commissioned by WDBJ Channel 7 found 66 percent vs. 26 percent support the project. The people of Roanoke want this by 40 points.
For perspective, if this poll were a U.S. presidential election, it would become -- by a colossal margin -- the most lopsided in history. (In 1920, Harding defeated Cox 60.3 percent to 34.1 percent or by 26.2 points.)
Fiction: The Rockledge plan is just a restaurant.
Fact: The plan has three parts: the Fishburn Community Room, designed for community use for civic groups, families, education and weddings, just to name a few; a casual café for relaxing and enjoying the view, and a memorable destination restaurant. Bike racks and a water fountain would be added.
Fiction: A restaurant on Mill Mountain will fail.
Fact: Great location, a quality operator and financial strength are critical to success with restaurants. There is a huge difference between a poorly capitalized, inexperienced novice who guesses on location and menu, and a veteran with market research, significant funding, systematic site selection and a proven concept. The first almost always fails; the latter nearly always succeeds. All factors for success are present with Steve Parry of the Bookbinders.
Fiction: As a public park, no development was ever intended on Mill Mountain.
Fact: During Junius Fishburn's lifetime, he allowed the construction of an 88-foot neon star, a fee-generating zoo and the continued presence of Rockledge Inn. Mill Mountain was, indeed, intended as a "public park," but Fishburn's conveyances specifically include language referencing "developed" and "improved" and mentions " ... buildings, structures, and things similar thereto ... ."
Valley Forward only asks that city residents consider the Rockledge plan with an open mind. We have proposed something we think would benefit all citizens, support other mountain amenities and make an environmental statement. It should be up to the citizens of Roanoke to decide if they want it or not.
