Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Bringing new ideas and people downtown
From the RoundTable blog
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Douglas C. Waters
Waters is the interim president for Downtown Roanoke Inc.
In recent weeks, Downtown Roanoke has expressed to city council and the public our support for continued planning and economic analysis for the Elmwood Park amphitheater project. We believe that a well-designed and well-managed amphitheater in that location can be a powerful economic engine for the region overall, not just the downtown.
We do not blindly advocate the construction of the facility, however. We do believe that city council, before making final decisions whether to complete the design and actual construction, should have realistic economic projections rooted in a carefully conceived business plan to understand the possible operating subsidies that will be required for operation of the amphitheater.
If the projected operating subsidies are too great, the amphitheater should not be built.
While a renovated Market Building and the vibrant Historic City Farmers Market will continue to be the core of this marvelous downtown, the amphitheater project, if determined to be economically viable, will be one of the anchors of a healthy and dynamic "four anchor downtown" -- Elmwood Park and its amphitheater to the south; the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Higher Education Center and Henry Street to the north; the Taubman Museum to the east; and the Jefferson Center and Kirk Family YMCA to the west, completing the perimeter points of an enlarged and healthy center city, the true heart of the Roanoke region.
Even for those who do not often come downtown, there are benefits to having a strong and economically viable central city. The concentration of high-value properties in a healthy downtown provides a tax base for the city that helps keep overall property taxes low throughout the jurisdiction. Homeowners in surrounding neighborhoods pay lower taxes as a result. Downtown Roanoke's cultural and historic attractions, our restaurants and locally owned specialty shops, and the available entertainment make downtown a natural destination for local residents and visitors alike. New property owners and residents invest and live downtown.
Downtown Roanoke Inc. has been an advocate, promoter and facilitator for a healthy, vibrant downtown since its charter was issued in 1960. As we begin our 50th year of service, we believe it is important to take this opportunity to note the many benefits a robust and appealing downtown brings to the entire region, and to review why we believe continued evaluation of the amphitheater project makes sense.
Creating an amphitheater and devising an operating plan is a complex undertaking. Elmwood Park plays a crucial role in many existing events that provide entertainment as well as financial support for the many nonprofit organizations whose fundraising events are important to their continuing operations. Coordination with sponsor organizations will take time, and the effort is already under way to identify and make plans with those who will be affected, and to plan how their events can be accommodated.
The new amphitheater can be truly successful only if it brings new people into downtown and does not merely replace those who already participate in the many festivals and events in Elmwood Park.
Some have questioned whether the proposed amphitheater that Salem has announced would make an Elmwood Park amphitheater unnecessary or redundant, and the answer is, not at all. Salem plans a community amphitheater, more comparable with the existing small performance and event location in Elmwood Park than a commercial amphitheater able to host national touring performers.
The project under study by city council involves not just the amphitheater but also significant improvements to Elmwood Park to make it a more versatile space. Improvements to the central library building will result in a better library and the reuse of unused library space as support for the amphitheater.
Everyone in the region benefits from a strong and healthy downtown, and the city of Roanoke must continue to pursue and evaluate initiatives, like the amphitheater, that have the potential to bring new people and new activities to our downtown.
