What’s the plan for the old scrap yard, mills sites?
I wrote a story in today’s paper about the ongoing redevelopment plans for the former Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal Co. and Roanoke Mills sites.
The two adjacent sites are now owned by Carilion Clinic. While the mills site is cleared workers are just now clearing the scrap yard. The plan is to develop the two South Jefferson Street sites simultaneously.
Carilion hasn’t offered any comment on development plans, but a lot of people are talking about the potential, especially those connected to the new Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute across the street.
At various times, officials with VTC have speculated that some type of retail would fit in perfectly, and is desperately needed. I’ve heard pleas for restaurants, coffee shops, dry cleaning and more.
But with Carilion keeping quiet, I’m curious what others think should be built on the property?
January 11, 2011 - 11:10 AM
This property was acguired through such shaky secret atnics that the State changed the rules that Cities use in doing so.The mill brought in 200,000 in taxes for Roanoke.To give an idea of the effect of this,our libraries now close one day a week and have shortened hours over a lack of only 25,000.Think of the years we have lost this income.I for one am sick of the simplistic square buildings in the area,they themselves will be eyesores in short order.
I think they should just keep the areas as a park.The city has already stolen enough property for Carilions appetite.
I’d like a Starbucks in the area. Maybe a McDonald’s too.
I know they probably need some office space there, but I would like to see a small office “mall” area, with some office and/or classrooms, some retail that caters to office workers, and also some park like outdoor areas that will will contribute to the outdoor nature of the city and provide a good environment for occupants. Try to avoid paving over the entire site. They have gone to a lot of trouble to clean it up, and should make it look nice and keep it as green as possible.
I definately don’t want commercial occupants with large parking lots and bright lights at night.
A developer should build a brand new spankin’ Super Wallmart there…
Honestly, I’m surprised there isn’t a Wireless Zone on it
yet.
Roanoke is always in desperate need of turf athletic fields. It would be good for Carilion also as they are the dominate “brand” in the area and do nothing for youth athletics as it stands. Go to Charlotte, Richmond, Raleigh, etc.. and there are beautiful athletic complexes funded by major banks, hospitals, etc.. while Carilion does precious little to give back. At least Lewis-Gale does help out a little.
Park yes definatly – Athletic fields with noise, trash, lights and traffic.. NO.
Retail, Retail Retail. That area is in desperate need of restaurants within walking distance from the hospital, offices and medical school. It is ridiculous to think that there is only one place within walking distance for the entire campus, that being Fork in the Alley.
I fear that the flood plain will scare developers from building such things. It wouldn’t surprise me if more office buildings are built there. Carilion already thinks they will become the next Cleveland Clinc.
How about an amphitheater?
Or perhaps a Restaurant/Conference Center?
As someone that works next door to this piece of land at the VTCRI, I’d love to see a coffee shop (local preferably) and eating establishments. I’d also like to see apartments or condos as part of this plan.
As for the complainers here: Just look at what was there before (rusting scrap); any new development is better isn’t it?
Some type of nice upscale retail that a great demographic area like that would attract!! A nice little town center with upscale shops and restaurants would be great for a nice high income area!!
As someone who lives within 50 yards of this site, I am gloriously happy it is being torn down and cleaned up. However the prospect of listening to a Mcdonalds drive-thru speaker all day and night is not appealing in the least no matter what it was before. Ditto on the big parking lot lights or field lights that would shine in all of the windows in that neighborhood all night. Apartments, condo’s, offices, inside restaurants (preferably local), coffee shop, park, all good. I suspect though, since Carillion is going to the expense and trouble to buy and clean it up – it will not be public space and will look a lot like the medical school buildings. I’m good with that too.
What Marty and Kay said X 2.
I don’t live in the city but if i did i would wonder why the Housing Auth. sold the trac to carillion and now the tax-payers in the city have to pay for the cleanup and for the land, if carillion needed it soooooo bad then they should foot the total bill not be given a handout. Kinda backwards.
A free clinic for children should be built on this site. With the big bucks this mammoth entity possess, they should put something back into the community that does not require the head honchos to attend a black tie affair.
This corridor is a critical bridge between Downtown and the Redevelopment area- what is going to be needed to insure this bridge is vibrant and the connectivity solid is residential – density of people living along Jefferson – a mixed use – office- commercial- residential development would help this growth and add to the sense of security -
I have the perfect thing for the site… A memorial, consisting of giant phallus to commemorate Carillion’s total mismanagement and how it treats the community!!!
I would like to see an urbanized, mixed-use area that includes apartments, offices/research, restaurants, and retail space; walkable and architecturally diverse/interesting. Something that ties the area together with downtown and might stimulate some economic development in that area.
A large parking lot or parking garage, a couple single use buildings, or just one big ol’ park would be a loss in my opinion.
Some low income multiple family housing would be nice.
http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256a8d0062af37/vwContentByKey/N27PEMW8229BTFKEN#History
The Stables building is still standing today. No one ever notices it!!
It is a shame it can’t be saved…would make a awesome reuse; Restaurant, Condos, Coffee House.
Very historical.
A memorial dedicated to all of the wasted taxpayer dollars on past city projects that have failed or are destined to fail.
I suspect that this area will eventually be developed as a medical research park facility and medical teaching facility area for Carillion. If this region is going to have a major medical facility they need modern research and teaching facilities to make this happen…
Marty, as someone agonize been coaching youth sports in Roanoke for 5 years now I couldn’t agree more. Salem shows Roanoke up in this area, and that’s why they have a good football program to boot. I could go on for hours about the lack, and no not tax payer money so people put out your torches, of support from the city. It would be nice if some of the local business stepped up and helped out.
“Marty, as someone agonize been coaching youth sports in Roanoke for 5 years now I”
Ok I can’t edit my own comment, but that should have read. “as someone who as been coaching” Sorry auto correct on my phone strikes again.
I hate to see the 100-year-old livery building destroyed so unceremoniously.
Texas Tavern II!!