New and Exciting Developments for Downtown

Some exciting times coming up in the near future for Roanoke City, Downtown in particular. Two of the most innovative projects due up are the Center in the Square renovation and the Heart of Roanoke "netroots" Community Organization which focuses on exploring and making changes in urban design for the core of the city.

Center in the Square Renovation:

Center in the Square, the building on Campbell Ave SW in the Market Square, is set to be renovated beginning early 2010. This historic structure is also home to Center in the Square, one of the seven non-profit organizations under The Western Virginia Foundation for the Arts and Sciences. The organization held its Annual Dinner at the Hotel Roanoke last evening (September 10th) to announce and illustrate its plans developed by local architecture and engineering company Spectrum Design, along with conducting its annual updates to members and guests. They also held a special silent auction throughout the evening to benefit part of its Capital Campaign.

Details of the renovation plan were given by Spectrum Design's David L Bandy, AIA and his associates in a captivating presentation and video, which you can view here through the Roanoke Times' article posted the following morning: Center in the Square unveils renovation plans by Mike Allen.

(Photo above of the Center in the Square Building and the Organization's logo are courtesy Center in the Square's website.)

Heart of Roanoke:

Eldon Karr, "Appalachian Architect," runs a blog describing his urban design ideas and themes and has recently added a Facebook Page for the Heart of Roanoke. The concept for it comes both from the "Design'79 Urban Design and Planning" in Roanoke and the more up-to-date "Netroots" effort (termed so in a manner of online-social-networking-meets-grass-roots-community-organizing). The first meeting for this group began on Saturday, August 29th, when a Photographers' Walking Tour of Downtown assembled outside the Hotel Roanoke. Dan Smith, owner, editor and photographer of Valley Business Front, led an informal photography class. While the focus for Eldon is a passion to green up and revitalize things for Henry Street, the scope of this organization is much wider for the Downtown area as a whole.

Star City Harbinger, "Appalachia's Online News Alternative," ran a nice review of the event on their website. In a collaborative piece, Hank Bostwick (SCH's editor), River Laker (Car Less Brit), and I filmed and edited a short video of this first-of-a-series Photog Walking Tour. The video opens with impressive historical information about Downtown, the Heart of Roanoke's roots and its efforts, narrated by Mr Laker in his marvelous British accent. (Girls, I didn't see a ring, but I wasn't looking either...) Please check out SCH's article and video Exploring Alternative Visions for the Heart of Roanoke," and also add their blog to your news feed while you're there.

I can't wait to see all this transformation going on soon!! Hi-tech roof-top with butterflies in Roanoke? Oh yeah!! Vertical Wall Gardens? Yes, and much more...

SEE YOU AROUND DOWNTOWN!!