The Roanoke Weiner Stand won't have to move from its building in downtown Roanoke, but it may shift a few feet.

Jim Sears, president of Center in the Square, said Tuesday that the downtown arts organization will renew the historic hot dog stand's lease in September, allowing it to remain inside the building.

In February, Sears said the Weiner Stand may have to move from Center's building altogether because of planned renovations there. Other possibilities included it either staying put or moving elsewhere in the building, he said.

The Weiner Stand, which opened in 1916, rents space in the lower level of Center's building at 25 Campbell Ave.

Gus Chacknes, who manages the hot dog stand, said it likely will have to shift 25 to 30 feet west of its current location. He said he already has discussed with an architect some possible design changes for a new space, though a shift would be several years away.

But a shift is better than the Weiner Stand having to move out of Center's building, Chacknes said.

"Right now, it sounds a lot better than it did," he said.

Sears mentioned the development during a public mediation meeting Tuesday evening to discuss changes to downtown Roanoke's farmers market, Market Square.

Sears elaborated afterward when questioned by a reporter.

"I have assured the Weiner Stand that it is fully our intention of offering them space within our building," Sears said.

The Tuesday meeting at the Roanoke Higher Education Center was the second in a series of three sessions designed to reach a conclusion about the future use of Market Square. Concerns arose several months ago when ideas were leaked that Center's renovation concepts could involve closing Market Square to farmers market vendors and to parking.

Sears said during the meeting that Center does not have a plan to change Market Square. He blamed media reports on some people associated with Center who spoke of conceptual ideas created by an architect. From there, it was "a snowball effect," Sears said, particularly because Market Square is city-owned property. He also said Center has not yet hired an architect for the renovations to its building.

Nonetheless, the meeting, led by professional mediator Frank Dukes, addressed the ideas of an appointed committee of nine stakeholders and the public. Dukes heads the Institute for Environmental Negotiation at the University of Virginia.

Those attending the meeting discussed creating more pedestrian access to Market Square and cutting out some parking spaces.

Amanda McCreary, a downtown Roanoke resident, said other markets across the country are successful because they have greater pedestrian access.

Ed Hall, who owns Hall Associates, a Roanoke real estate firm, said additional vehicles parked in spaces throughout Market Square create a congested city market.

Brian Townsend, acting assistant city manager for community development for Roanoke, said there needs to be a managed and planned closing of the area to pedestrians at certain times for it to be effective.

Dukes said more decisions should be reached by the third and last meeting, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. July 24.