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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 5, 1991                   TAG: 9103061108
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOTEL'S POSSIBLE FATE IS SADDENING

MY HUSBAND began working for Norfolk Southern a year and a half ago. Signalman magazine ran an article about the Hotel Roanoke's closing; the pictures showed a grand place of times past. Six months ago we moved here from out of state and I remembered that article.

Somehow I relate Roanoke to the Hotel Roanoke. It was a focal point when I visited the Mill Mountain Star. Other large downtown buildings all look the same to a visitor.

It saddens me that a beautiful place like this might be razed when the federal government speaks of spending tax dollars to restore Lawrence Welk's home. Surely there is a use or purpose for downtown's historical place. I'm sure I'm not the only person newly living or visiting here who feels this way. DONNA SYNDER ROANOKE

by CNB