East Coasters bike shop plans move to Wasena landmark; River House announces conceptual plan for climbing gym
Wes Best, owner of East Coasters bike shop, has plans to buy the old transportation museum building that is located in Wasena Park. STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS | The Roanoke Times
Roanoke’s Wasena neighborhood has been abuzz with activity since Ed Walker started his River House project, a 128-unit apartment building in a former cold storage warehouse nestled along the Roanoke River and greenway.
One of the latest developments in Wasena comes from East Coasters Bike Shop, which has plans to buy and move into the old Virginia Museum of Transportation, just a few blocks away from the River House.
Also in the news is a conceptual plan for an indoor climbing gym at the River House. Outdoors reporter Mark Taylor has that story.
Bike shop owner Wes Best has an unsigned contract with the city, which owns the building, to buy the old museum for $2,000. It will need about $500,000 in work, Best said. Read more on his plans here.
Just a few blocks away, the River House is nearing completion. It will include a restaurant, Wasena City Tap Room, which will be operated by the owners of Wildflour Market and Bakery on Fourth Street in Old Southwest and should open this fall.
Today, Walker and his team formally announced a concept for an indoor climbing gym at the River House. Before committing to the gym, called River Rock, Walker’s team wants to gauge community interest.
According to Taylor’s story, supporters can show their support on the River House website, www.roanokeriverhouse.com, or Facebook page.
I spoke with Walker about the gym last week. He made the point that it has the potential to bring climbing events to the Roanoke region, furthering the area’s outdoor branding.
Would you support a climbing gym? What do you think of East Coasters move to Wasena?
July 17, 2012 - 10:39 AM
Yes to the tap room, yes to the climbing wall, yes to the bike shop! What is going on with the skatepark?
@tass: Is it still closed from last fall? I left a message with the city’s parks and recreation department. I’ll let you know when I hear back.
What’s happening in Wasena is so exciting. So great to see these old neighborhoods being rejuvenated!
Yes to the climbing gym. I can’t wait to sign up.
Not a fan of climbing gyms, but kudos to the owner for wanting to gauge community interest! More businesses need to do this.
I am so excited for everything coming to my neighborhood! It’s going to be so great when it’s all finished! Yes to all of it!
The best bike shop in town relocating to one of the most popular stretches of greenway? AWESOME! A much needed climbing gym right in the middle of lots of other outdoor activity? EVEN BETTER! These are GREAT ADDITIONS to an already thriving greenway system and community. These are the types of things that make a city a great place to live!
@tass: I just heard back from Michael Clark, a manager with Roanoke’s parks and recreation department. He said the park closed last fall so the water authority could complete some work on the bridge. During that time park officials noticed that the half pipe, which was made of wood, was rotting and removed it with no immediate plans to replace it. The park reopened, but the half pipe was apparently a major draw.
Clark said the skate park will be addressed this fall when the department updates its comprehensive master plan. He also mentioned that a community group has come forward and wants to raise money for improvements.
Hope that answers your question.
We need a good restaurant. How about “Fork in the River!”
Thanks, Amanda, for writing this story. We’re awfully excited about a potential move to Wasena Park. I lived in that area of years and I’ve always had a real passion for that neighborhood and that building. We still have a lot of work to do to make sure this happens but things are moving along well.
The climbing wall concept at the Riverhouse is fantastic, too! Ed Walker is doing great things there and we’re stoked about the synergy.
–Wesley Best, East Coasters Bike Shop
@Art Hill, I haven’t actually eaten at any of the Fork restaurants, but I really don’t think yet another one in such a short distance of one another makes any sense. How about something new and over the top delicious. No more repeat in food or brand.
@Wes: My pleasure. Thanks for sharing your plans with us.
I wish Ed Walker would get a hold of IVY Market and keagy villiage. He could develop them into gems!! Any word on Ed going into retail. Valley Bank should scoop him up while they can!! Good questions for Valley Bank Amanda??
@Chris: Ed Walker’s projects have mostly involved restoring historic buildings – which are attractive projects for developers because they can use historic tax credits to offset the cost. I can’t speak for Ed, but in my talks with him I’ve never heard him express an interest in getting involved in large commercial retail developments such as Ivy Market or Keagy Village. He seems to be much more focused on building community and revitalizing neighborhoods.
“…are attractive projects for developers because they can use historic tax credits to offset the cost.”
Speaks volumes all by itself, doesn’t it?
I know Amanda but he would do great with both these retail centers. He sure has the money/brains for them!! Just do not understand why these centers get get a developer to finish them!! I guess that is just Roanoke for ya!
There’s nothing about either Ivy Market or Keagy Village that fit with any other project Walker does.
And no, Spiny Norman it does not “speak volumes.” What Walker has done downtown with the Patrick Henry building and other spots, and what he’s doing now in Wasena, pose far greater value to the community than another craptastic empty strip mall on 419 would. The entire community benefits…why would he not avail himself of the tax advantages to offset his expenses?
Ed Walker is an urban renovator/redeveloper, not a suburban property manager.
@ Spiny Norman – Built anything lately? Tax advantaged or not? Done anything productive? Tell us about that instead of knocking something constructive!
#15 It “speaks volumes” that Ed Walker has saved numerous buildings that might have ended up in front of the wrecking ball and also tapped into a market that wants to live downtown or near downtown and not in far-flung, wasteful suburbs. It also speaks volumes that he has done so much to encourage a vibrant music scene in the area.
Jealous, Spiny?
Did you ever find out when the Weinie Stand would be reopening? It looks like the space has been finished for some time now.
@Sandy: Center In the Square told me yesterday that the Weiner Stand is looking at a mid-August opening. Apparently they have hired a public relations firm to help plan a grand opening. Keep your eye on Lindsey Nair’s Fridge Magnet blog – she will post something when we have more details.