
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990                   TAG: 9006290023
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD                                LENGTH: Medium

VA. TECH AND PARK SERVICE ENTHUSED OVER ROCKY KNOB

Officials from Virginia Tech and the National Park Service expressed enthusiasm about the proposed tourist development at Rocky Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The interest in the project was evident from comments at two meetings Wednesday: a morning session where county administrators from Floyd and Patrick met with Virginia Tech and park service representatives in Blacksburg, and the regular Bi-County Commission meeting in the evening at Chateau Morrisette Winery.

"Anytime you bring new people into a project they want to be in on the ground level," said Patrick County Administrator David Hoback on Thursday. "That was the result of our meeting with the Tech people."

National Park Service officials also responded positively. At the morning meeting, Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Gary Everhardt said that it was very likely that Rocky Knob would be on the parkway's master plan, which will be finished next year.

Art Allen, chief of the parkway's planning and professional services division, echoed Everhardt's sentiments at the Bi-County Commission meeting: "I am confident the grand master plan will identify Rocky Knob as a appropriate for development."

Allen was quick to point out though that inclusion in the plan was not a commitment for construction.

Hoback said that the biggest thing to come out of the meetings was the need for a strategic planning session. "Instead of just coming up with ideas that sound good, they will be given critical consideration," he explained.

The session would involve the commissioners and officials from Tech and the park service. It probably will be held in September or early October.

In other business, the Bi-County Commission decided to tour the Rocky Knob area along the parkway at its July meeting. It will be the first group tour of the existing facilities around the site of the proposed development, which include a campground, a scenic overlook and a tourist information station.

The bylaws for the commission were not acted upon for the second straight month. They are awaiting attorney review because of changes in state indemnification statutes.

by CNB