In the news: Changes at the Roanoke City Market Building, a pop-up farmer’s market, and renovation plans for the Shenandoah Building
The Shenandoah Building at the corner of First Street and Kirk Avenue will undergo a $9 million renovation to create 90 apartments. Photo by Amanda Codispoti
There is a lot of news in today’s paper that I want to make sure you see.
On Thursday we learned of plans to remove the empty kiosks in the center of the Roanoke City Market Building, to open a pop-up farmer’s market at the Kirk Family YMCA, and to renovate the 101-year-old Shenandoah Building on First Street.
The kiosks in the center of the market building had been intended for vendors. But only one vendor, The Dancing Chicken, ever leased a space, and that farmer left after 12 days because he said there wasn’t enough foot traffic. (Only one restaurant was open at the time).
Since then, the kiosks have sat empty gathering complaints from patrons.
On Thursday, market building director Sara Guerry announced that the kiosks would be removed and replaced with live plants and seating that can be rolled around to create a small stage for performances. Click here to see renderings of the plans on Lindsey Nair’s Fridge Magnet blog.
There was also news Thursday from the Roanoke farmer’s market. Downtown Roanoke Inc. announced that several of its vendors have agreed to try out a pop-up farmer’s market once a week in June at the Y. The market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. DRI and the Y wanted to try the idea out for a month before committing to continuing the market throughout the growing season.
DRI also announced that it has received grant money to fund a two-for-one deal for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program customers. Customers who use the SNAP program (formerly known as food stamps) will receive $1 dollar for every dollar they spend, up to $50.
In addition, DRI is launching a “Friends of the Market” fundraising campaign. Read more about DRI’s announcements here.
Lastly, Richmond-based developer Bill Chapman, who most recently completed the Lofts at West Station on Salem Avenue, announced his plans for a $9 million renovation of the Shenandoah Building on the corner of First Street and Kirk Avenue.
Chapman plans to turn the office building into 90 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Work is scheduled to begin in July and be complete in a year. Click here for the full story.
May 4, 2012 - 12:00 PM
David Bowers said a announcement for a new business in the city would be coming soon. Could this be the UKrops site? Amanda could you check into this??
@Chris: I think you are referencing this quote from this story about Bowers’ re-election.
“I think the skyline’s going to be dramatically changed [with] the development along [Interstate] 581 at the Riverside Center, up at Valley View West and then downtown as well,” Bowers said. “We are awaiting an announcement for downtown. We thought it might be out by election day.”
I’m sure Mason Adams, the reporter who wrote that story, pressed Bowers for details. I’ve got my ear to the ground, too.
Received a “Join Today” package from Costco. Never been to one. Maybe the rumor about Costco/Ukrops is true.
Costco would be welcome, and I would encourage my teenage son to work there. They treat their employees like actual people.
@3 We also received that Costco mailer. Made me wonder. Would pick Costco over Sam’s any day.
Love a good rumor. Costco?? I’m in!!
This is interesting about the mailers. I called Costco’s headquarters and left a message to see if we can get to the bottom of this.