What was once the Hannah Court Trailer Park will become a playground named for the late Vic Thomas, the longtime 11th District delegate and conservationist. Roanoke City Council made that announcement formal at its Monday meeting, attended by members of the Thomas family.
Novozymes of Salem, which settled an illegal dumping case by donating $250,000 to be used for the new park along the Roanoke River, chipped in another $18,000 on Monday to help finish the job. The park, complete with walking trails, will be connected via a new bridge to the Roanoke River Greenway.
Hannah Court was taken over by the city as part of its flood control project; once the Army Corps of Engineers is finished there, the playground and trails will be built. Councilman Rupert Cutler said he was “particularly thankful to Vic Thomas,” for his conservation funding efforts over the years.
Meanwhile, City Manager Darlene Burcham assured council that the city is not on the hook to Ukrop’s for any incentive plan, nor are taxpayers, after the Richmond based chain announced plans to shut down the Ivy Market store location in Roanoke.
“We are making this announcement this afternoon after talking with store leadership about this tough decision,” said Ukrop’s Chairman, President and CEO Bobby Ukrop, in a news release. “We wish it had worked out differently. It’s painful for many reasons.”
Burcham said the city’s ten year agreement that returned a portion of the tax revenues produced there was with IMD Development, not with Ukrop’s, which reportedly is seeking a buyer for the 26 store chain. The Roanoke Ukrop’s, opened with great fanfare two years ago, will shut down on October 24. Burcham called that decision “unfortunate and disappointing.” Ukrop’s was not open on Sundays, did not sell beer or wine and was not located near many neighborhoods, which may have contributed to its downfall.
IMD redeveloped a brown field on Franklin Road, property situated in a flood plain, in order to attract tenants like Ukrop’s and Walgreen’s, which just cut the ribbon last week after considerable delays. IMD received $525,000 from Roanoke in the first year (fiscal 2008) of the grant program, a figure based on tax revenues from the property.
The city is “evaluating,” any grant for FY2009, said Burcham. Ukrop’s, she added, was “disappointed” that it took so long for Walgreen’s to open, hoping that the pharmacy chain store would have attracted more shoppers to the upscale grocer as well.
Under current lease terms, IMD and the city would “work collectively,” to attract another tenant “not currently located in the city,” according to Burcham. Councilman Court Rosen asked if that lease clause could be revisited, if for example, a Kroger wanted to move in. “I would just hate to let it sit empty,” he noted. Burcham said taking “another look at the issue,” was possible.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]
The so-to-be loss of Ukrop’s is so sad and typical. We had first class groups by the score come to town and in a relatively short time they leave. No Sunday hours and no booze sales are not reasons for its demise even though some would say it contributed to it. Those values have been a significant part of Ukrop’s for years and it prospered well in Richmond. I will take a friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff any day compared to the plastic employees at Kroger. I will sorely miss the pleasant clerk taking my cart to the car and sincerely suggesting that I have a good day and not have his hand out for a tip.
As an aside please permit a personal comment about this new newspaper entry into our community. It is a delight to see and read your articles about real hometown stuff. I only hope that you and, yes, the other weekly prospers and prospers well.
Vic’s death was a sad moment for me. He was among the best ever for our community and I know of no one who does not miss him. It is sad, however, to name such a small area in his name. While it is better than nothing it is close to nothing. Vic’s contributions were far greater than those suggested by naming an old trailer park after him regardless of current activities.