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Mountain View/Norwich
The Roanoke River flows through several disadvantaged central-city neighborhoods. Numerous, long-dormant brownfield sites line the river in these neighborhoods, and pose physical and psychological barriers that prevent the public from enjoying this great natural resource. The city's vision is to redevelop brownfields immediately adjacent to the river as greenways, parks, and recreational facilities, incorporating riverfront pedestrian and bicycle trails. Other properties will be revitalized as a complimentary mix of commercial and residential uses and will be phased to accommodate existing business owners. Along Cleveland Avenue, there is the possibility for a Special Use District to include commercial, residential and limited light industrial such as woodworking shops, furniture repair and specialty millwork shops. Redeveloping these properties will improve human health by encouraging more active lifestyles and providing inviting, accessible locations for physical activity.
"Inviting Roanoke Back to its River" the Mountain View/Norwich Brownfield Corridor Plan is under development by City staff based on input from the community, business owners, and land owners. A map and table were presented to stakeholders on June 17, 2008 showing four strategic areas where brownfield redevelopment will be focused. The accompanying table at the bottom of this page gives a rough outline of proposed actions and timeframes. Potential funding sources have also been listed. Redevelopment in this area will be based largely on leveraging available City projects with property owners, neighborhood organizations, and perspective developers. The City expects to finalize the plan in the Fall of 2008.
| Redevelopment is already underway. A revitalization success story in the area is the Black Dog Salvage facility on 13th Street at the eastern end of the target area. The approximately 30,000 sf facility serves as a warehouse and sales operation for unique, salvaged building materials and fabrication shops for furnishings. This facility was built circa 1938 and has housed several industrial operations before its purchase by Black Dog Salvage in early 2003. Facade grant funds (an incentive offered to businesses in the City's enterprise zones) were used for rehabilitation and decorative work on the building exterior. Black Dog Salvage also worked with the City to purchase unused right-of-way adjacent to the building to provide greater storage and work space for its operation. This business is looking to expand in the future and the City is excited with the opportunity to work with Black Dog Salvage to establish an attractive gateway and example project in this redevelopment corridor. | |
The Roanoke River Flood Reduction Project, under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, is also underway and will help to further advance redevelopment in the corridor.
- The contractor for the current phase of the project, Allegheny Construction, has purchased a brownfield site in the corridor and is in the process of demolishing unused industrial buildings. The site will be used by Allegheny to place fill from the flood project. This saves contractor hauling costs, and most importantly, it will make a suitable site for future development opportunities outside of the flood plain. This is an example of the opportunistic type of activities that can move the plan from the drawing board to fruition.
- Phase II of the flood reduction project includes extension of the Roanoke River Greenway through the corridor. Trail oriented development is envisioned in several locations along the section of the river. New infill development spurred by the greenway will help invigorate the surrounding neighborhoods.
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