The fight over Victory Stadium

Highlights of the long-running story of what -- if anything -- Roanoke will do with Victory Stadium

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Timeline: A twisting path of an old ballpark
December 1995	After several years of discussion, the Roanoke City Council receives a report from an Atlanta consultant who studied options for the deteriorating Victory Stadium. A month later, the council chooses a $13 million renovation option.

December 1997	Council members revive discussion of renovating the stadium, in connection with a study of the long-term plans of the city's parks and recreation department.

January 2000	A citizen committee recommends that Victory Stadium be torn down and that a smaller stadium more conducive to high school football be built in its place for no more than $9 million. The recommendation is part of parks and recreation master plan study in the works since 1995.

June 2000	City staff brief the council on a proposal for a new sports complex and amphitheater off Orange Avenue near the civic center during a closed-door meeting.

December 2000	The city council votes to tear down half or all of Victory Stadium and to build a new multipurpose facility for high school sports and entertainment events. Renovation of the stadium is ruled out as an option.

January 2001	At a public hearing, 19 of 28 speakers urge council members to renovate Victory Stadium rather than tear it down or build a new stadium elsewhere. Many more in the crowd of 100 applaud such statements. Later that month, a council majority of four supports an $18 million plan to renovate Victory Stadium. The plan includes a reduced seating capacity and an amphitheater complex on the stadium's east side.

February 2001	The four-member majority dissolves amid concerns over the proposal's cost and feasibility. The council directs the city manager to seek other sites for a new high school football stadium.

April 2001	The council delays a vote on Victory Stadium's fate. Several council members push for a final vote in early May, citing the $200,000 the city has spent since the 1990s on consulting fees related to the stadium question.

May 2001	The city council votes 6-0 to begin property acquisition for the new stadium / amphitheater complex off Orange Avenue. It will seat 7,000 to 8,000 spectators for sports and 12,000 to 20,000 for concerts or festivals. Victory Stadium's fate is left undecided but demolition seems likely.

November 2001	The council agrees to pay $275,000 for an acre of land to add to the 21-acre stadium site, most of which it already owns.

May 2002	The Roanoke City Council approves the rezoning for the Orange Avenue site after two votes because of a procedural problem.

June 2002	The Williamson Road Area Business Association and Farrell Properties file a lawsuit claiming the rezoning was approved without an adequate traffic and parking plan and in violation of council procedures.

October 2002	Roanoke unveils a parking and traffic plan prepared by a consultant.

December 2002	A Roanoke Circuit judge overturns the June rezoning, forcing the city to schedule a new vote for Jan. 21.

January 2003	City council votes again to rezone the 24-acre stadium site on a 7-0 vote.

May 2003	Citizens for a Sensible Stadium Decision holds its first news conference to announce a petition drive asking the city council to hold a fall referendum. The ballot would let voters decide whether the $17 million in bonds should be used for the new stadium/amphitheater complex.

July 2003	Roanoke Vice Mayor Nelson Harris confirms that he now has serious doubts about a new city football stadium and amphitheater project. At the end of the month, the City Council holds a public hearing at the Roanoke Civic Center to gauge public opinion. Most of those who speak ask council to reconsider.

August 2003	Roanoke City Council votes 4-3 to proceed with plans to build a new stadium/amphitheater.

February 2004	Roanoke City Council votes to halt work on the Orange Avenue site until new members of city council convene in July.