2009.11.07
Holmes: Downtown parking
Downtown development needn't cause a parking nightmare
Jeremy Holmes
Holmes is the program director of RIDE Solutions in Roanoke.
Recent days have seen two interesting developments for downtown Roanoke. The first was the welcome announcement that Ed Walker, father of the Cotton Mill Lofts and the Hancock Building, has purchased the redoubtable Patrick Henry Hotel. Walker made clear in his morning press conference that, whatever else happens with the building, we could count on at least 100 new apartments being at the core of the project, significantly growing downtown's residential capacity.
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I'm all in favor of decreasing automobile traffic in downtown Roanoke. Personally, I've been biking more and driving less and have been averaging between 100 to 150 miles of bicycle miles per week. This has resulted in a savings of $40.00 to $60.00 per month in gas... but, far more than that, I've lost 15 pounds... feel better, and enjoy being more in touch with my surroundings. I live near William Byrd High School and bike quite often to downtown Roanoke. Unfortunately, there aren't any bike routes, per se, and sharing the road with cars is challenging at times. I look forward to the day when more space is carved out for bicycle travel, and the city greenway is more fully developed.
Comment by Gary Reid — November 7, 2009 @ 11:11 am
2nd that #1 and I do not know why they just don't close the downtown market place for cars and open it up for bikes and folks walking. C-Ville did it and many other towns.
On a side note here is hoping you are staying safe. It is very dangerous in Roanoke it you are ridding a bike.
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 7, 2009 @ 11:35 am
I would like to know why, except near gov't buildings, there is little handicap parking in downtowm. Parking garages have been proven by numerous studies to not be the safest of places for those with disabilities or the elderly. The length of Jefferson, from Church to Campbell, not one Handicap parking sign. DRI needs to pay attention to the Americans w/ Disabilities Act, it was passed 19 years ago and with the 20th anniversary celebration planned this coming July, will Roanoke miss the point again...just shows a disregard for so many people as well as for the laws of this country. Shamefilled.
Comment by catspaw — November 7, 2009 @ 11:41 am