ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 1996 TAG: 9602060078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Some black Roanokers who have demanded a part in the restoration of Henry Street voiced their concerns to Roanoke City Council on Monday.
Most of those attending the meeting were part of a new 15-member action group formed primarily in response to a proposed plan for the revival of Henry Street, once the commercial heart of the city's oldest black neighborhood.
The Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Henry Street Revival Committee want to hire private investors to build restaurants, music clubs and shops on Henry Street. They unveiled their plan last month, but it was met with criticism by some blacks, who said they weren't given a chance to voice their ideas and suggestions.
The Black Concerned Citizens of Roanoke, headed by Anita Reed, held signs and presented a letter to council Monday asking that the Henry Street plans be halted until black residents can have input.
Reed stressed that the Henry Street plans significantly affect the lives of black Roanokers.
"We're asking that our issues and our voice be heard," she said.
Councilman Jack Parrott said that, until recently, he thought residents had been given enough say in the development of the land-use plan.
"From the way things had been given to City Council, I had the impression that the Henry Street committee was speaking for the citizens of the area," Parrott said. "It turned out they weren't, by a long shot."
The plan had been scheduled to be presented to council Monday, but the housing authority delayed the presentation until the public can give more input.
A public meeting for that purpose was scheduled Saturday, but was postponed because of the snow. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled, said the authority's director, Neva Smith.
George Franklin, one of the residents who addressed council Monday, said he was satisfied with council's response.
"We came to inform and let everyone know we're going to participate with vigor," Franklin said. "Based on their response, council was open to that general approach."
Franklin said he hopes the Henry Street project will be a rallying point for the black community.
The housing authority intends to ask the city for $5 million to improve curbs, parking, sidewalks and utilities. The Henry Street plan also calls for $13.5 million in private investment.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Members of Black Concerned Citizens ofby CNBRoanoke hold signs Monday showing their dissatisfaction with plans
to renovate Henry Street. The group wants black Roanokers to have
greater involvement in the project. color.