Travelguy on 6/6/2007 10:39:03 AM wrote:
From what I understand of the way government works is that we, the people elect these folks to decide on what needs to be done to
make Roanoke strong. Lets face it, the mayor and city council haven't been too impressive lately. I think Roanoke needs to look at a new form of city government(obviously the one we have now doesn't work like it should).
Some cities have a strong mayor type of government where the city council doesn't have as much power. I think if Roanoke "leaders" listened to everyone in the City, Roanoke would now look like Clifton Forge!(no offense to that town).
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tigerlilly on 5/27/2007 10:54:31 AM wrote:
I agree with Pamela's description of the architecture. It should have been placed in a "green" area where such architecture would be enhanced. The City did not ask us if the citizens wanted to donate the lot and $4 mil. dollars to the museum. They did not ask citizens if they wanted their tax dollars spent to buy Countryside Golf Course for 4.1 mil. and go into the real estste buisness. I heard the current bidder wants the land given to them.
The loan (mortage) the City took out to buy it is $4 mil at 6.25% for 15 years at First National Exchange. That my friends is $34K a mo. of which $24K is interest only. Roanoke citizens will have paid $1/2 million in interest only or almost $1 mil in payments by Nov. 2007.
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Pamela on 5/27/2007 7:51:33 AM wrote:
the new museum being built...god that is the ugliest mass of building material I've ever seen...what an eyesore and not only that but a huge clash with all the suitable architecture downtown...what a joke..the supposed influential will visit once or twice, then it will become another dead building in town...waste of money people and actually kind of stupid when you think of it. they could've built something that is classy looking but instead it looks like some cartoon joke.
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Travelguy on 5/25/2007 12:06:28 PM wrote:
Remember, we pay these folks to come here and they in turn spend more of our money to hire consultants to "study" the market area. Where is the result? More of our money is spent for more consultants to study the market once again. In the meantime, all of the wasted money could've been spent on actually doing something for the market. Todays article about another consultant coming here saying downtown needs trolleys is obvious. Of course we do but all of us have known that for years!!
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tigerlilly on 5/17/2007 9:22:46 AM wrote:
Channel 9's interview with M. Thompson (I forget the interview man's name) then Thompson leaves while interview continued to air. Then Diaz was interviewed and now he is gone. Watch Ch.9 for next interview to see who else leaves.
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Travelguy on 5/17/2007 9:19:00 AM wrote:
Good Luck David Diaz in Raleighwood! I don't think you were a good fit here in Roanoke.
I would like to see someone hired who can communicate and encourage development downtown. Is Bern Ewert available?
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Connor on 5/12/2007 8:52:43 AM wrote:
People are saying much the same thing which is why the Mayor wants to have everyone involved in planning the Market--he wins. We want more vendors, farmers, parking, profits, people, and a public square for all. Leave CITS out of this as it has been made clear by them that they have no more right to the Mkt. than anyone else. Even Joe K. seemed to quietly acknowledged this when he wrote that CITS had not yet developed a plan. Hmmm, hasn't he been writing about a rumored plan for months? CITS needs an overhaul. They cannot go into the market with their plan. They agree. I was told that CITS just started planning by meeting with those leasing from it and will include them in the plan, the WS too--3 months is a target for the planning.
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BiffSpankie on 5/11/2007 1:44:30 PM wrote:
My initial thoughts to making the downtown Market area a newly reinvented, pedestrian-friendly area, which is accessible to all ages leaves me wondering where is everyone going to park, especially the vendors? Also, if the CITS and Downtown Inc. want to attract people to the Market to spend money at the museum, restaurants, Food Court and Art Museum, then why don't they look into our vendors accepting VISA?? One more suggestion, let's work on reducing train traffic during rush hour (I know, Roanoke rush hour is only 15 minutes but when a long train comes, the whole town locks up).
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zeke11 on 5/10/2007 10:29:04 AM wrote:
Personally, I'm not opposed to changes on the Market. I think a bigger question is whether CIC should be the driving force behind the future. A visit to CIC reveals run down and out of date museums that could use serious makeovers. Changing the square into a music venue sounds good, but a music venue exists within walking distance in Elmwood park that is larger and more accessible. It has never been utilized to it's full potential why would the Square perform better? One of the cornerstones of the new plan is the new resturant. Practically every year a new resturant goes into that location and fails. Why should we expect anything different from this one? I hope these plans are thought through very carefully before anything is put in place.
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motherof2 on 5/9/2007 10:15:15 PM wrote:
Travelguy is correct. The Market, she is a changing, and always has. So complainers, those resistant to change, Cuppa Joe, and those who want to live in the past, join in the discussion in a positive way and help lead to intelligent change with a view for the next 25 years and not the past 125. Yes, we love the past and want to build on it for a lively and bright future, sheding the negatives so often offered by the Roan. Times. News can be positive, supportive, and focus on the good things that are going on in this small lovely town. We are not NY City, Chicago, or Atlanta. I've lived in six cities across the country and have been amazed at the negative reporting of the Roa. Times---reporters seem to want to be Woodard and Bernstein.
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Travelguy on 5/9/2007 10:17:15 AM wrote:
The Roanoke City Market is changing!! If one ever notices a lot of the vendors are not selling produce, they are selling jewelry and other accessories. The farmers around Roanoke are not coming into the city like in years past since a lot of small communtiies have their own farmers markets. The Center in the Square people recognize what is happening downtown and they want to continue to insure the Market area stays viable. I am sure there will be some disruption with some businesses. I hope a developer will come in and re:design the Century Parking Deck's lower level and expand the market for indoor shopping with food stalls, more produce, etc and make the upper floors for a hotel, condos. etc.
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Connor on 4/14/2007 9:17:34 PM wrote:
Center in the Square renovated: the old Phelps and Armistead Bldg. and the McGuire building for its theater and museums; also the worst eyesore this area had for years--Hotel Earl--Shen.Hotel--which now houses Twist and Turns and the theater; the N&W Pass. Stat. for the Link Museum; and Center saved the H&C Coff. sign with the impt. help of its then owner--Center owns it now--DRI and the public. It now sits atop the Center owned Shen. Hotel. People are criticizing Center without knowing details of its ideas. The Weiner Stand rents from Center. I bet Center finds a way to work with them. The Market is not Center's, so why the fuss about the Market and farmers--Center can't do a thing to them & history seems to show they would not want to!
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presleyroc on 4/14/2007 1:59:59 PM wrote:
Roanoke, Our beloved Star City of the South, with old history that surpasses most towns our size. We have lost so many historical buildings over the years behind the proverbial "closed doors". The thought of losing The Farmers Market, Weiner Stand, or any other historical Roanoke Icon is not acceptable for the majority of our citizens.
We were united in preserving the H&C and Dr Pepper signs, or they too would have been destroyed. We as Roanoke citizens need to come together in support of this "Market" debate, and convince our City Council to heed our requests to keep our "Market Area".
Have them spend the money wisely by rebuilding stalls, adequately pushing loitering laws in the area. Encourage local volunteers to maintain the streets if necessary for cleanliness.
The Old Roanoke City Market area concept has been used as an example in many towns for downtown renewal, festivals, etc. Please do not destroy this old landmark!
Sandra Arthur/Presley
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devdog on 4/14/2007 8:05:05 AM wrote:
All it would take to diffuse this situation would be for council members to publicly state that they would never support removing any vendor stalls on the Market and will entertain no proposals containing such changes. Why do you think that's not happening? Is someone cashing in on their campaign donations? e tu Nelson?
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patarthur on 4/13/2007 11:46:39 PM wrote:
It seems the first in line to DESTROY, DEMOLISH, or ELIMINATE are the ones that moved to Roanoke from somewhere else. Let the ones who have lived their whole life here and watched the growth of the wonderful Farmers Market, enjoy the familiarity of the Market. I remember the wonderful taste of the delicious hot dogs from the Weiner Stand. It was such a treat to go there and then go get fresh produce. The smells, the farmers, the specialty shops and restaurants there now are history....LEAVE THEM ALONE....Wasn't destroying Victory Stadium enough for you. I am retiring in a couple of months and moving back to my beloved Roanoke...please leave me something to come home to....
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doggone on 4/13/2007 5:37:58 PM wrote:
Have the fools who are promoting Center In The Square have no respect for history. It seemes to me that the high brow would be better suited to move as far from Roanoke as possible for they are way too big for their britches.Why ruin something that attracts more people downtown during the day and is a deep part of the beauty of the market and Roanoke.
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inthezoneguy on 4/13/2007 2:59:37 PM wrote:
I am not at all surprised that Tom Brock is supported by Dalhouse, Nelson Harris and others. They are ALL sellouts. How many bank employees lost their jobs under Dalhouse? How many Democrats did Nelson Harris sell out?
Mr Brock:
Do not push you own pesonal will on the merchants of the market and put them out of jobs too. Let the citizens vote on the matter. That should have happened with Victory Stadium but Harris pushed his personal agenda on that issue too.
I suggest an outside mediator to facilitate the discussions about the Center in the Square. Someone who is not "for the people" like you!
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Connor on 4/8/2007 2:15:47 PM wrote:
CharlesVA, we know where you stand, you are clear. I wonder why you feel so strongly-dirty stalls, street people, poorly marked cross walks, narrow sidewalks, "resold" fruits and vegetables, little outdoor entertainment, dining, and parking,-perhaps many of these would apply. I salute the Mayor for wanting to stop the rumors and study the Market by having the many stakeholders involved. I care less if the meetings are closed so long as a summary of each meeting is reported out. The City owns the Market and no one else can alter it. So why is the newspaper trying to inflame us and pit groups against each other? The farmers, vendors, and arts center want the same thing--more farmers and vendors--more shoppers and profits. A good start.
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CharlesVA on 4/7/2007 11:18:32 PM wrote:
The market is disgusting and needs to move to a spot somewhere out on Williamson Road. Its dirty, full of bums, and crowded. Nothing is more annoying than trying to walk down the street and some clueless couple is standing in the middle of the sidewalk gawking at some piece of trash artwork or painted rock while blocking your path.
Honestly, I dont know who would buy half the stuff they sell down there. The street itself could be very nice with all the restaurants and shops, but the vendors and homeless panhandlers ruin it all.
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tigerlilly on 4/7/2007 9:18:59 AM wrote:
KHarris, your are exactly right. This is just one of the secrets going on ... pressure Harris. Activism by the vendors is needed. If they could all just not show up on the market one day in protest or hold signs ... get angry, if they would hold some rally to make a statement I would be there to support them - Boycot the meeting. Closed door meetings at Council are always going on (personel matters is warrented only) ... secrets go on all the time. Worse yet are the lies they tell, not all of them, but some of Council members. I gathered FOIA material and my eyes were opened on our City Government and City Administration and how they operate.
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kharris1970 on 4/7/2007 7:42:50 AM wrote:
Closed-door meetings are where deals are made, battle plans drawn. They'll get a group of people they can convince to make a statement in their favor and say they are following the "will of the people." Just like the Victory Stadium debate, the "For the City" candidates used their election to justify tearing it down, but the majority of votes went to people who were for saving the stadium. The vote was too split up to make a difference. If these closed-door meetings continue, we should expect the "will of the people" to be completely ignored, and plans will be made, and we will only have a short time to convince council to heed their citizens, and then sit on pins and needles waiting for their decree. Pack your gear, Market Vendors.
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