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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Actions 01-05-95 WrkSes 0~:", A, "~ ,,::--'1---Y" . ':......... CITY OF ROANOKE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 215 Church Avenue, S.w., Room 456 Roanoke, Virginia 24011-1536 Telephone: (540) 981-2541 Fax: (540) 224-3145 MARY F. PARKER, CMC/AAE City Clerk SANDRA H. EAKIN Deputy City Clerk November 20,1995 The Honorable Mayor and Members of the Roanoke City Council Roanoke, Virginia Dear Members of Council: Prior to Council's January 5 -7, 1995 Long Range Planning Workshop which was held in Charlottesville, Council requested input from Downtown Roanoke, Inc., the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City Planning Commission, and the Roanoke City School Board with regard to long-range plans or initiatives. Pursuant to your request during the visioning workshop on Friday, November 17, I am pleased to provide copy of the correspondence which was received from the abovelisted entities, and the current mission statement of the Roanoke City School Board which was approved in April 1995. With kindest personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, "'~ Mary F. Parker, CMC/AAE City Clerk MFP:sm Ene. pc: W. Robert Herbert, w/enc. ~12. DOWNTOWN ROANOKE ~~ OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS JOHN P. GROVE Woods Rogers & Hazlegrove President ROBERT C. LAWSON, JR. Crestar Bank Vice President BEVERLY T. FITZPATRICK, JR. The New Century Council Vice President TED MOOMAW, JR. World Travel Service Vice President F. VICTORIA TAYLOR The Gift Niche Vice President ROBERT B. MANETTA Carillon Health System Vice President & Treasurer ROBERT W. GLENN, JR. Roanoke Gas Company Secretary ROBERT G. BENNETT Grand Piano & Furniture Company JOHN C. BERRY Trigon Biue Cross Blue Shield WILLIAM F. CLARK City of Roanoke JAMES CUBBY V Magazine H. LAWRENCE DAVIDSON Oavidsons J. TOBIE EATON Appalachian Power Company EDWIN C. HALL Hall Associates JAMES W. HARKNESS, JR. Roanoke College ROBERT W. HELMS First Union National Bank of Virginia JOHN W. LAMBERT, JR. John Lambert Associates JAMES B. MASSEY, III Coleman & Massey, PC JOHN G. MCLEOD McLeod & Company BITTLE W. PORTERFIELD, III Rice Management Company DONALD C. REID Bell Atlantic DR JAMES C. SEARS Center In The Square PATRICK N. SHAFFNER Sherertz Franklin Crawford Shaffner, Inc. R. CURTIS STEELE, JR. Norfolk Southern Corporation JAMES M. TURNER, JR. J. M. Turner & Company, Inc. ANTHONY C. WADE Norfolk Southern Corporation MICHAEL M. WALDVOGEL Waldvogel Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, Inc. RAYMOND M. WALTER Walter's Greenhouse DQUGLAS C. WATERS NationsBank of Virginia JOSEPH B. WRIGHT Carilion Health System R. MATTHEW KENNELL Executive Director December 1 9, 1 994 The Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council City of Roanoke Roanoke, Virginia Dear Mayor Bowers and City Council Members: At the request of Council members William White, Sr., and Elizabeth Bowles to provide input for your upcoming long range planning discussion in January, I would like to take this opportunity to request that Council consider an item of the utmost importance to the downtown area and the City as a whole. Since my arrival in Roanoke some six months ago to assume the position of Executive Director of Downtown Roanoke Incorporated, I have become absolutely convinced of the need for a new downtown plan to guide the development of our vibrant downtown into the next century. The many successes in the downtown area driven by the leadership of DRI and Roanoke City have gained Roanoke national attention as an example of downtown revitalization for others to follow, but we must not let our past successes prevent us from looking toward the future. Past plans for the area, beginning with Design 79, 85 and 89, have helped to develop and define the vision for our downtown area today, but several current events and changes in market conditions point out that we must once again plan for our future. The spring 1995 opening of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, the new pedestrian bridge, Railwalk, and Transportation Museum improvements are all tremendously exciting projects and will do much to draw tourist dollars and visitors to the thriving market area, but the downtown as a whole needs our attention immediately if we are to continue to have a bustling center city. Many large retailers in downtown Roanoke are now struggling, including the one remaining department store, and their lease is up for renewal at the end of next year. Vacant storefronts remain on Campbell Avenue and on Jefferson Street as well as side streets in the greater downtown area. Even in the market area, signs of change are prevalent. While entertainment oriented establishments such as restaurants are flourishing, main stream retailers are on the decline. In addition, while leasing of stalls in the farmers market remains strong, there is a concern about the aging of DOWNTOWN ROANOKE INCORPORATED 310 FIRST STREET, s.w. · ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011 (703) 342-2028 . FAX (703) 344-1452 ~ ~ tP ~ t 3CTH ~ ~ IJ ~ ~~ ANNIVERSARY "...,..........,....,,' Mayor Bowers and Members of City Council December 1 9, 1 994 Page 2 the fanners and its impact on the market. Even Center In The Square, which draws over 500,000 visitors a year, is threatened by future cutbacks in State funding. Downtown living is on the increase, but continued growth is likely to stagnate unless more residential amenities, such as resident parking, and a movie theater, and grocery store can be attracted to the area. The DRI Board and staff are now working on a strategy to develop a new plan for downtown Roanoke, but we cannot do it alone. In order for this new plan to be a success, all parties to be affected by such a plan must be involved in its funding, development, and implementation, especially Roanoke City. Experience has shown us that a strong, vibrant downtown is essential for the economic health and well being of our entire community. Thank you for considering the need to move forward with a new downtown plan at your upcoming session. If you have any comments or Questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Happy Holidays! Sincerely, R. Matthew Kennell Executive Director pc: John P. Grove, President Downtown Roanoke Incorporated 10'.,..".........." ~k~~/ONAL ~CHAMBER ROANOKE REG/ONAL OiJlMBER OF COMMERCE 310 First Street, SW Roanoke, VA 24011 (703) 983-0700 (7031 983-0723 Fox December 9, 1994 Mrs. Elizabeth Bowles RoanokeCi~ Council 3637 Grandview Avenue, NW Roanoke, Virginia 24012 and Mr. William White, Sr. Roanoke Ci~ Council 3698 Partridge lane, NW Roanoke, Virginia 24017 Dear Mrs. Bowles and Mr. White: Thank you for your letter of November 21, 1994, asking for the Roanoke Regional Chamber's input for the Council's January 1995 long-range planning discussion. The premise of our comments is this: The economy of the United States and this region is undergoing a major structural change that will continue for the foreseeable future. Therefore, our region must understand and adapt to these economic realities. What does this mean to the Ci~ of Roanoke and the economic region in which we live? A vision with strategies and measurable goals is essential! We have already benefited from the visions and strategies of past years. In fact, Roanoke should be very proud of its past accomplishments and its abili~ to get people involved in planning. Examples include: Design '79, Design , 85, Vision Neighborhood Planning Process, Roanoke. Vision 1987 and, recently, the Enterprise Communi~ Strategic Planning Process. These, .<?f course, are only examples and there are many others that have enabled the City to move forward. Everyone involved - citizens, business people, elected officials and Ci~ staff - should be extremely proud of these past accomplishments. We believe that business growth is essential in moving forward to the next higher plateau. Therefore, our recommendations are to follow-up on these past accomplishments and offer an approach that will help our region compete for business investment that is so essential for the future. 1. The City should undertake a major initiative to improve the efficiency of City government aimed at reducing the cost of government in lock step with ongoing similar efforts occurring in the business environment. 2. The City should adopt an updated primary vision and strategies that will promote business investment and growth in the City. Examples: Update downtown plan to include the areas from Jl?fferson High to use of Norfolk Southern's office buildings to increasing private investment in empty office buildings, create plans for neighborhood commercial growth, and implement the Enterprise Community Strategic Plan. Roanoke should have a nationally recognized .pro-business. environment. ( December 9, 1994 Page 2 3. The City should have a very clear list of objectives that can be measured annually not by inputs but by results. 4. The City should lead the effort for regional cooperation and be the example for everyone to follow. Examples: support other areas efforts, not just City programs; support the New Century Council; etc. We do not suggest that these recommendations can be achieved by City government alone. Therefore, in order to assist, we recommend that joint commissions or task forces be established by the City and this Chamber to address these recommendations. As with significant prior achievements, we believe that our future economic growth as a City and region will be in direct relationship to our ability to work together - business and elected officials. Your consideration of these recommendations will be deeply appreciated and we wish you success with your meeting in January. Sincerely, Qp!#,~pennan t tthiliman of the Board ;.,?' c -{ Roanoke City Planning Commission December 28, 1994 The Honorable Mrs, Elizabeth T, Bowles The Honorable Mr, William White City of Roanoke 215 Church Avenue, S,W" Room 456 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 Dear Mrs. Bowles and Mr. White: Thank you for asking me for my input regarding City Council's long range planning retreat scheduled in early January, As you are aware, the Roanoke City Planning Commission is also concerned with issues which effect the long term growth and physical development of the City, Over the past year, Commission members have identified the following critical issues which they feel must be addressed if Roanoke is to be successful in achieving its mission to be the best place to live and work in the South: Commitment to a strong neighborhood and community-wide planning process that seeks to involve all segments of Roanoke's population Provision for an adequate system of open space within the City and surrounding Valley that includes provisions for greenways and ridge-line protection Provision for an adequate supply of new housing for citizens of all income ranges while seeking to improve the condition of the existing housing stock in Roanoke's inner city neighborhoods Elimination of blight, including vacant dilapidated housing, inoperative vehicles, outside storage of junk and other eyesores which lower property values, discourage home ownership and otherwise detract from the City's neighborhoods; and Provision of a balanced multi-modal transportation system throughout the region which is sensitive to neighborhoods and natural environment. Room 162 Municipal Building 215 Church Avenue, SW. Roanoke, Virginia 24011 (703) 981-2344 '_"~""""" '.,'0 ..", .,..............,..,.. ."., ., Page 2 Mrs, Bowles and Mr. White December 28, 1994 Thanks again for the opportunity to provide input into this very important planning process. If you have any questions or need any additional information please don't hesitate to contact me or John Marlles, Chief of Planning and Community Development. Sincerely, ~ d.~IJ1' Charles A. Price, Jr., Chairman Roanoke City Planning Commission cc: W, Robert Herbert, City Manager John R, Marlles, Chief, Planning and Community Development Roanoke City Planning Commission 't~1 C. Nelson Harris, Chairman Marilyn L. Curtis, Vice Cha,irman Charles W. Day, . l .. Marsha W. Ellison Finn D. Pincus Clubert G. Poft John H. Saunders E. Wayne Harris, Superintendent June S. Nolley, Clerk of the Board Roonol"\e City School l300rd .~9!~. : /) ) ..., , .1 . "' /, , P.O. Box 13145, Roanoke, Virginia 24031 · 703-981-2381 . Fox: 703-981-2951 December 22, 1994 Mrs, Mary F. Parker City Clerk 456 Municipal Building Roanoke, VA 24011 Dear Mrs. Parker: School Board Chairman Nelson Harris has asked me to provide the following documents in response to the request from City Council members Elizabeth Bowles and William White, If you need additional information relating to the Board's long-range plans, please let me know. · Short-Range Technology Plan detailing the school system's focus on technology for the next few years. · Five Year Capital Improvement Plan, FY95 to FY99. (This document was furnished to the City Manager in May 1994.) · School Board's 1994-95 "charge" to the Long-Range Planning Committee. Sincerely, ~ll~.C~~ Ene. c: Rev, C. Nelson Harris Mr. E, Wayne Harris Excellence in Education ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BOARD Roanoke, Virginia LONG-RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE The Long-Range Planning Committee is composed of patrons and citizens from across the city who represent many community organizations or businesses. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the School Board. The members share the concern of the School Board and School Administration that the quality of the city's educational program will greatly influence the future of Roanoke City. They are dedicated to providing the best education possible for the present and future students in the school system. They have committed their time and expertise to study the various programs and services now offered by the school system in order to help the Board plan for the future. The School Board directs the Committee's work and will receive a formal report of its findings and recommendations. TASKS FOR 1994-95 · Evaluate future trends in secondary education and recommend the high school facilities needed in the early 21st century in order to meet these trends and provide quality educational opportunities for all students. · Study business and technical education, including the examination of mentorships, apprentice programs, and work experience, and the relevance/implications for this school system of standards in the European Economic Community. 9/28/94 NOV-21-1995 10:53 - ~ iG< rIJ ~ o o = u (I:) tJ ~ .. = ;J ~ ;. ~ .- U ~ ~ o ~ o ~ NOV-~1-1995 10:49 =. ..-4' ~ ,....... (1;), :> -- +0). U :i. ~ o :... Q.c i9 o ~ '"C C t\1 Q,) > .- - - - -- ~ :3 := Q) "'0 ::s ~ (I) - - t\1 ..,a CU -5 eI) -- = o .- ct) -- ~ -~ ~ o Q -= y rI.) U = ~ = Q.c. .ea~ ~::s oW ~C ~ CU ~f..) O~ =,..... (UN o G) =:-5 ,. ct) =:. ctf -.-4 -- . 'oJ- @: ::s: bO .. .. eI) bQ ~ C, M __ eo. =-9 QcQ,) - > ~~ o - Q,)~ "'0 ..0 ~ eI) ...- ,... 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EAKIN Deputy City Clerk February 9, 1995 The Honorable Mayor and Members of the Roanoke City Council Roanoke, Virginia Dear Members of Council: As a follow-up to Council's Team Building and Long Range Planning Session which was held in Charlottesville on January 5 - 7, 1995, please note that the Members of Council have agreed to hold another work session on March 24 - 25. The location is tentative, however, I am advised that the meetings will be held in the Roanoke Valley area. With warmest personal regards, I am Sincerely, "'- Mary F.::Aer, CMC/AAE City Clerk MFP : sm pc: W. Robert Herbert, City Manager Wilburn C. Dibling, Jr., City Attorney James D. Grisso, Director of Finance James D. Ritchie, Sr., Assistant City Manager CITY OF ROANOKE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 215 Church Avenue, S.w., Room 456 Roanoke, Virginia 24011 Telephone: (703) 981-2541 MARY F. PARKER, CMC/AAE City Clerk December 29, 1994 SANDRA H. EAKIN Deputy City Clerk The Honorable Mayor and Members of the Roanoke City Council Roanoke, Virginia Dear Mayor Bowers and Members of Council: Council previously invited Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City Planning Commission and the Roanoke City School Board to provide input with regard to long-range plans or initiatives for consideration during Council's three-day team building and long-range planning session on January 5 - 7, 1995, in Charlottesville, Virginia. For your information and review prior to the work session, I am enclosing copy of the responses received to date. With warmest personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, Ma':;;'. ~r, CMCI AAE City Clerk MFP: gd Enclosure pc: W. Robert Herbert, City Manager James D. Ritchie, Sr., Assistant City Manager Wilburn C. Dibling, Jr., City Attorney James D. Grisso, Director of Finance Kit B. Kiser, Director, Utilities and Operations George C. Snead, Jr., Director, Public Safety William F. Clark, Director, Public Works Glenn D. Radcliffe, Director, Human Development