Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993 TAG: 9310070207
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Loewy, who was responsible for the look of the Studebaker after 1935 and who did the interior for the Skylab space station, is considered the founder of modern industrial design.
Preservationists said Wednesday that they are sad to see the concourse go, but glad the remainder of the building is being left and may be acquired by the city of Roanoke.
Norfolk Southern Corp. said the demolition was necessary so it can use the track for 20-foot-plus-high stacked cars. The concourse clearance is 14 inches too low.
NS spokesman Bob Auman said efforts are being made to relocate or preserve a glass wall that designer Loewy put on the rear of the concourse so passengers could watch trains while they waited.
The wall was a significant feature of the station redesign Loewy did in the late 1940s.
Auman said the $70,000 demolition, which includes removal of asbestos, also will allow the railroad to "separate" the building from its other property so it can be "conveyed." He was careful not to say if the building would be sold or donated by the railroad, but he said talks will be held this month with interested parties.
City Manager Robert Herbert said Wednesday that the city is ready for "a serious discussion about the potential acquisition and use" of the building.
"I think it would be in best interest of the city and the community that city government have some direct control over the future use of that building," he said.
Herbert said about "half a dozen or more groups" have contacted the railroad about the building, but that the railroad is looking to Roanoke city government to "give its thoughts and indications."
"We're at the stage where we're asking questions about what shape the building is in, what out-of-pocket expenses are we going to be faced with and how the interior space can be used," he said.
After regular passenger service was discontinued in May 1971, the station was sectioned into offices for the railroad. It has been vacant for the past year or so.
The station is a conspicuous element in the railroad-related complex that adjoins Hotel Roanoke property. The hotel is being renovated and expanded into a hotel-conference center by Roanoke and Virginia Tech.
Deedie Kagey, president of the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation, said that when the demolition began a few days ago, preservationists feared the entire building was going.
She said the loss of the concourse was significant, but members were relieved that the rest of the building was being left. She said, however, that she wished there had "been some communication" from the railroad.
Kagey said letters to NS Chairman David Goode encouraging the railroad to look at the value of the property and offering the services of the preservationists went unanswered.
"I think the whole foundation is interested in preserving railroad history as a part of Roanoke," Kagey said.
She said the group will make its concerns more public hereafter. She said an immediate concern is the future of the old railroad office buildings across Jefferson Street from the hotel.
Herbert said the railroad also has promised to discuss the office buildings with the city before any decision is made on them.
The railroad has always kept the city informed of its plans, Herbert said.
He also said he would welcome contact from the preservationists.
by CNB