Despite the hasty and unexplained exit of former Downtown Roanoke Incorporated (DRI) president Bill Carder several months ago, DRI officers exuded plenty of confidence at last week’s 49th annual meeting for members and guests. The session was held at a venue that gives DRI one reason for confidence – the new Taubman Museum of Art. The growing number of cultural offerings, the development of downtown living spaces and a comeback by retailers, perhaps drawn to that new wave of residents, has also spawned optimism.
The impending renovation of the city market food court building also bolsters the optimism of people like Douglas Waters, treasurer and interim president. Waters said downtown living was “the holy grail,” when he first got involved with DRI about 20 years ago.
In the past few years, said the retired banker, “people are moving down here in large numbers.” He pegs that total at 500 or more and has lived downtown with his wife for the past three years. “We’ve loved it from the start and love it better now.”
The Taubman “adds to the electricity,” said Waters, who expected a first report back within the next few days from the firm assisting in the search for a new president. “Our search committee will begin to review that report.”
Waters wants a well-rounded leader who can “build relationships” with the city of Roanoke and private concerns, including downtown vendors. DRI manages the Farmer’s Market. After Carder’s abrupt departure, some vendors complained that he didn’t spend enough time dealing with them.
As for a new city manager, Waters feels he/she should come from a locality with some type of downtown development organization.
“I would hope they are experienced in knowing what an organization like DRI can do for a community.” Waters said DRI’s relationship with Darlene Burcham (in attendance a day after “retiring”) was “excellent.”
Among the items highlighted by Waters during his brief remarks were: a new downtown residents association, gift certificates good at a number of downtown retailers and a parking task force due to make a report by the end of the year.
DRI Board Chairman Cal Johnson, (YMCA of Roanoke Valley) said things “are going very well. Doug has brought more than stable leadership. He’s brought the organization forward. We’re excited about where we are right now.”
Johnson was personally “thrilled” when city council identified the market building as its top capital project priority. “We want to work with the city and the other stakeholders to make that a reality. We all need to work together.”
“There’s a renaissance going on downtown,” said Johnson. “The museum has brought a new energy. We have an incredible downtown.”
Sponsor Hounds, which promotes events downtown, is bullish on Roanoke. “We’re very excited about downtown,” said Waynette Anderson, noting the large turnout for the pet-friendly “WoofStock” at Elmwood Park a week earlier, almost double last year’s attendance. Other Sponsor Hound events have been held at the Civic Center.
“All of the people that come to that also come downtown and help Roanoke businesses,” Anderson said.
Keynote remarks at the DRI annual meeting came from Advance Auto Parts Chair Darren Jackson, who is based in Minnesota, not at the company’s headquarter (Roanoke) office. Jackson pledged that the Roanoke location remains an “integral part” of the automotive aftermarket distributor’s future.
The Taubman Museum of Art, the Wilson Hughes Gallery, the Hancock Building, Fork in the City, the Landmark Building and the Davidson’s building were given the “Golden Trowel” awards for their recent contributions to downtown development.
