Collaboration to Transform Southeast Roanoke Property into Riverdale District Announced

The City of Roanoke, the Roanoke Economic Development Authority, and local developer, Ed Walker, are collaborating and co-investing on a transformation of the former American Viscose Plant in Southeast Roanoke. Over the next several years, the collaboration will preserve elements of its industrial heritage while gradually transforming parts of the former industrial site into Riverdale, a 75+ acre mixed-use district featuring industrial spaces, residences, commercial uses, artist studios, maker spaces and manufacturing. Riverdale will be fully integrated into adjacent natural and recreation areas including the Greenway, Roanoke River, and Mill Mountain.

The agreement that establishes the collaborative investment was approved at the January 17 City Council meeting and includes a $10 million forgivable performance loan facilitating property acquisition, addressing immediate environmental and master-planning needs, and removal of debris currently on the site. This agreement requires and catalyzes at least $50 million of private investment and development. An economic study prepared by Chmura Economics indicates that the first phase alone could generate more than $300 million in economic impact, supporting 2,000 jobs in the process.

Vote for the Roanoke River for Best Urban Kayaking Spot 2023

The Roanoke River is one of the nominees for Best Urban Kayaking Spot for 2023 for the USA TODAY 10Best contest! Voting is open, and you can vote daily through February 6.

We are in the chase for the top spot, but we need your help. Make sure you click the link and vote for the Roanoke River today.

Let's help the Roanoke River win this award for the 2nd consecutive year!

Vote: http://bit.ly/3pb4KTZ

Swift Water Rescue Training

Check out what some of our swift water team has been up to lately! These B-shifters spent their off-duty day on the James River at Balcony Falls honing their skills in paddle craft operations.

Thanks Capt. Robert Reid, Lt. Nick Sosik, Lt. Jonathan Metro, FF Daniel Driver, FF Kalin Conn, and FF Thomas Schacter for getting out there and getting it done, despite the frigid temps!

City of Roanoke Awarded Funds for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program

Exciting news from Governor Glenn Youngkin's office!

It was announced on January 16, that the City of Roanoke was awarded funds for the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. These funds will further develop Tract 8 located in the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology (RCIT).

Learn more about this announcement and Virginia Business Ready Sites Program at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2023/january/name-989977-en.html?fbclid=IwAR08F06vK1t_kg3juG5It4DcJnu0vY0vwgJpyBx25hS1b5wMJpNx8uf3leg

2022 Neighborhood Partnership Award Winners and Citizen of the Year Announced

Congratulations to all of our Neighborhood Partnership Award winners and our 2022 Citizen of the Year!

Neighborhood City Partnership Award - Doug Jackson

Neighborhood Youth Volunteer Award - Boxing & Brawling

Neighborhood Improvement Award - Roanoke Plawkers

Neighborhood Community Partnership Award - Northwest Faith Partnership

Neighborhood Communications Award - Linda Lockhart

Neighborhood Outstanding Volunteer Award - Marion Ware

Neighborhood Art Award - SE Greenway Gateway Mural Project

Neighborhood All-Star Award - I Heart SE

Citizen of the Year - Sunni Purviance

ROA Strategic Plan and Neighborhood Centers Plan Adopted

On December 19, 2022, Roanoke City Council voted to adopt both the Neighborhood Centers Plan and Roanoke Opportunities in Action: Economic Development Strategic Plan.

The ROA Strategic Plan builds upon previous work and performance, while providing direction toward a more inclusive and equitable economy and community. It provides implementation strategies for business recruitment, retention, and expansion as well as highlighting innovation, community development and financial empowerment in the City of Roanoke.

Neighborhood centers are urban corridors that can provide services of a social, cultural, or economic nature to the neighborhood in which it is located. For decades, the City of Roanoke has promoted neighborhood centers as important nodes in their network of economic activity. After conducting an analysis of three mature, successful neighborhood centers and examining a variety of corridors, four areas were chosen from dozens of potential centers to serve as testbeds for revitalization: 11th Street NW, West End, Melrose at 24th Street, and 9th Street SE. This selection was based on a high potential for success, considering activity drivers like traffic, residential density, and amenities like parks.

More information on these plans can be found: https://www.bizroanoke.com/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Development-Strategic-Plan_DRAFT_12.5.22-Revised.pdf

https://www.bizroanoke.com/roanoke-emerging-neighborhood-centers-vision-report/?fbclid=IwAR2Uq51DgtLGtI8DI7-Ka7lz_TsxJScTjZrwcBIPkr6GH0SJFrZ8MHGHXKE%20

Solid Waste Collection Schedule and Proper Disposal of Natural Christmas Trees

As the holiday season comes to a close, we want to remind you how to properly dispose of your Christmas trees! Starting Tuesday, January 3rd and ending on Friday, February 3rd, the Solid Waste Management Division will be collecting your Christmas trees along with your scheduled bulk and brush items. Please remove all lights, bulbs, ornaments, garland and tinsel and place your tree at the curb for collection with other bulk and brush items.

Natural trees without decorations will be collected and delivered to RVRA to be processed as mulch. Artificial trees or those with decorations still on them will be collected and disposed of as trash. Please do not place trees in the alleys for collection.

For more information, please call the Solid Waste Management Division at 540-853-2000, Option 1, send an email to swmcustomers[email protected], or visit the division’s web page at www.roanokeva.gov/solidwaste.

Roanoke Fire/EMS Heavy Technical Rescue Drill

Training time! During the last week of December, crews from all three shifts participated in the monthly heavy technical rescue (HTR) drill.

This month’s scenario involved a car that had gone under a bus and pinned the driver. Utilizing our new paratech interstate kit, they freed the car from its position underneath the bus and began to work on vehicle extrication.

Special thanks to Robert Young Towing for assisting Roanoke Fire/EMS with this important training exercise!

River's Edge North Awarded 'Field of the Year'

Please join us in congratulating the dedicated field maintenance crew at River's Edge Park. Last week, the Virginia Sports Turf Managers Association awarded River's Edge North 'Field of the Year'!

In 2021, Parks and Recreation formed a three-person crew dedicated solely to River's Edge Park. Crew Supervisor Will, Adam, and George have done a tremendous job and work diligently to provide quality athletic facilities to the community.

Learn more about this crew and the Field of the Year award by clicking here.

Dickens of a Christmas 40th Anniversary

It’s the 40th anniversary of The Roanoke Times Dickens of a Christmas and we’re celebrating with three magical snowy evenings! There is a 100% chance of snow on Market Street 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM each night of Dickens.

This community favorite event is loaded with free activities. So much fun was had at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade these past two Fridays. 

The Roanoke Valley SPCA Pet Costume Contest returns for the final night of Dickens this year, December 16th, taking place on Salem Avenue at the Plaza behind the Market Building. Pet owners may start registering their pets at 5:30 PM the night of the event. The contest begins at 6:30 PM. There will also be a Kids Zone and Carriage Rides. 

Now Hiring

The City of Roanoke is hiring for a variety of positions. Check out our Job Board and apply today!

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/roanoke

Recycle Right 

The Recycle Right Pilot Program concluded last week with the fourth and final cart checking event.  This program launched by the Offices of Solid Waste Management and Sustainability was aimed at increasing recycling knowledge and decreasing contamination.  When recycling is contaminated, it is ultimately sent to the landfill and increases the cost of processing recyclables.  The top five contaminants in the City of Roanoke are: Plastic Bags (including bagging your recyclables), Tanglers (cords/hoses), Wet Waste (food/liquids), Metal/Electronics, and Styrofoam.

Eureka Recreation Center Redevelopment 

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent community engagement meeting regarding the redevelopment of the Eureka Recreation Center. There will be additional opportunities to get involved in the future, and there is an online survey designed to replicate the feedback stations from the meeting. Please share the survey with anyone who was unable to attend and/or who would be interested in providing their thoughts. You can find the survey at playroanoke.com/eureka-redevelopment, and it will remain open through December 20^th.