Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100587
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But a leader in the fight over the street vowed to continue her campaign to halt the project despite council's decision.
Evelyn Bethel, president of the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District, said council's action confirmed what she has been hearing unofficially for two years.
"I have heard that it's a done deal, and tonight's action shows that," she said. "You have given overriding concern to the hotel," she told council.
Bethel would not comment on the next move by the opponents, but she would not rule out a lawsuit.
In addition to widening Wells Avenue, the city will also widen Second Street and Gainsboro Road to four lanes.
Both road projects are key components for handling traffic to downtown and the Hotel Roanoke-Conference Center project.
Mayor David Bowers said council and city officials gave Bethel and other Gainsboro residents adequate time to express their views on the Wells Avenue realignment and widening.
When opposition to the project surfaced a year ago, Bowers said council told City Manager Bob Herbert to delay the plans and confer with Gainsboro residents.
The realigned street will have a landscaped median, brick-style sidewalks, bus plaza, decorative lights and other features that will enhance the neighborhood atmosphere.
Several organizations with ties to Gainsboro have endorsed the plan to widen and realign Wells Avenue between Williamson Road and First Street.
Despite Bethel's opposition, Bowers said a majority of the groups in Gainsboro support the project.
Public Works Director Bill Clark said the city is on a tight schedule because part of the project - between Williamson Road and Jefferson Street - needs to be finished by early 1995 when Hotel Roanoke is scheduled to reopen.
Under the proposed timetable, the state's Transportation Board would approve the project on Aug. 19, paving the way for highway officials to buy the right of way.
The $4.5 million project would be advertised for bids in March and construction would begin next June. The completion date for the block between Williamson Road and Jefferson Street would be Feb. 1, 1995, Clark said.
Eight pieces of commercial property and two houses will be displaced by the project. The city is considering moving the houses to vacant lots.
In addition to providing better access to the hotel, city officials said, the realigned Wells Avenue will provide better access to downtown and complete one link in a downtown street loop.
Clark aid the speed limit on the widened Wells will be 25 mph. Truck traffic will be restricted on Wells to lessen noise and other adverse impacts on the neighborhood.
Through trucks will be prohibited on Wells except for eastbound traffic from Jefferson Street to Williamson Road to retain the route by trucks from the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Roanoke.
Clark said a detour will be provided through the Hotel Roanoke parking lot during the construction so Coca-Cola trucks and other vehicles will have access to the area.
\ IN OTHER ACTION, ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL:\ \ Voted to pay $600,000 for the Data Safe building and $255,000 for Miller Morgan building on Campbell Avenue next the city jail. The two buildings will be renovated to provide a jail annex to help ease overcrowding in the jail.
\ Awarded a $220,908 contract for the construction of a bridge on Craig-Robertson Road over Garnand Branch.
\ Approved a change in the city zoning ordinance to permit police facilities in manufacturing zones. This paves the way for the horses in the proposed mounted police patrol to be kept in a stable on Cleveland Avenue. There would also be a room where the officers could keep equipment and records.
\ Asked City Treasurer Gordon Peters and other top officials to give further study to a proposal that would enable property owners to pay their real estate taxes by installment. Councilman William White said details of the proposal need to be refined.
by CNB