Community Developments

Sep 20

[ARCHIVED] 419 Kick-off Meeting Recap

The original item was published from September 20, 2016 4:26 PM to September 20, 2016 4:51 PM

"community

On September 15, 2016 nearly 150 members of the public joined Roanoke County staff and leadership for an energetic discussion about the future of the 419 Town Center study area.

Local business representatives, area residents and VDOT staff helped brainstorm lists of strengths and challenges for transportation, development and economic growth:

 Strengths & Opportunities:
  •  Central location
  •  Availability of retail and commercial space
  •  Demographics (income, education, culture)
  •  Natural environment
  •  Community support for change
  •  Potential access to Carilion by bike
  •  Easy to get to
  •  Already zoned for business
  •  Not restricted by historic protection so can be made more handicap accessible
  •  Opportunity for mixed use, choices, and to attract people and businesses
  •  No new malls built in Roanoke area recently
  •  Lots of traffic (i.e. visibility)
  •  New owner for Tanglewood Mall
  •  Good mix of professional tenants
  •  Attractive region to visitors
  •  Local focus (ex. Farmer’s Market)
  •  Appalachian culture

 Weaknesses & Challenges:
  •  Traffic
  •  Lacks alternative transportation access
  •  Disconnected development
  •  Aging infrastructure
  •  Lack of exposure
  •  Generational gap between Millennials and Empty Nesters
  •  Topographic challenges
  •  Resistance to change from certain leadership
  •  Lack of space for traffic
  •  No bike paths or sidewalks
  •  Proximity to single family houses
  •  No mixed-use zoning
  •  No vacant land
  •  Railroad is a barrier
  •  Tax dollar support other areas
  •  Small airport
  •  Risk of losing affordability, diversity within each community
  •  Risk of stormwater challenges, local food shortages

 See something missing? Tell us in the online survey!

Town Center Visioning

Participants also voted (with dots) on the designs and features they liked best in town centers around the country.

 "Dot

Check out the 419 photo gallery to see more examples of the meeting exercises.

The community feedback gathered at this meeting will help guide the development of the 419 Town Center plan over the next several months. For more information, visit the 419 webpage. Share and discuss your own ideas about the study area on the MySidewalk page.
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  1. Roanoke County Virginia Homepage

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  1. Roanoke County, Virginia

    P.O. Box 29800
    Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
    Phone: 540-772-2006
    Staff Directory

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