There were many naysayers for sure – those opposed to building any amphitheater at Elmwood Park, even a scaled down version with no roof and a smaller seating area. Then there was the crowd still holding out hope that an amphitheater, capable of hosting mid-size musical acts or larger, might be built where Victory Stadium used to be. In the end, though, Roanoke City Council went ahead three years ago and approved a $7 million dollar capital project for Elmwood Park – and proudly showed off the results at a ribbon cutting on October 19.
“What do you think?” asked Roanoke City Parks & Recreation director Steve Buschor. His department manages Elmwood Park, which also underwent a series of landscape improvements. What once was an extension of Bullitt Avenue has been transformed into a brick and grass strip that will serve as a walkway into the park from Jefferson Street, and where vendors will set up food booths for events at the park. Now they will have utility hookups that are hidden inside landscaped features.
“This is your park,” said Buschor – put together, he said, with “3000 bits of information” collected from the public at community meetings. He also noted that the city beat – by one day – a goal to reopen the lower portion of Elmwood Park where the amphitheater sits no more than one year after awarding the general contracting job to Martin Brothers.
Almost constant rain this summer delayed the opening by more than a month.
The new amphitheater features concrete bench seating and flat, wide grassy areas where portable chairs can also be set up. There’s enough room between rows for people to pass by comfortably as well. Nearby there is a separate building where amphitheater performers can dress and prepare for their turn on stage. Before the park officially reopened, Buschor noted that children had already been taking advantage of the dancing fountain waters in front of the stage. It is bound to be a destination spot for those looking to cool off in the summer months.
The Elmwood Park amphitheater was not turned over to a high-powered promoter for booking; Parks & Recreation wants it to be more of a community center with the occasional big name act. “We’re going to keep the costs low,” Buschor promised. Roanoke Mayor David Bowers said one citizen told him “the City of Roanoke has knocked it out of the park with this one.”
The Mayor, who presided with other City Council members and City Manager Chris Morrill over the ribbon cutting, boasted that the new amphitheater, which can also seat several thousand more people on grassy berms above the permanent seating, was now the “premiere outside [venue],” in the valley. Bowers singled out David Trinkle for his role in pushing the amphitheater through City Council in the face of some public opposition to the project.
“A centerpiece for downtown,” said Bowers, adding that it would be a “new and improved gathering space.”
With changes coming to the Farmer’s Market area and a pedestrian plaza slated to be built over the winter across from the City Market building, the mayor said Roanoke “is transforming itself into a walkable city.”
About a year from now the main branch library next door will reopen after renovations that will draw it closer to Elmwood Park – including an area that overlooks the park and access to public toilets.
Linda Harrison was one of those gathered for opening day ceremonies and entertainment that included performances by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and the Southwest Virginia Ballet. “It’s really nice…an asset for the city,” said Harrison, a former teacher.
“I’m proud to be a Roanoker today. It’s awesome,” said Freeda Cathcart, a Raleigh Court resident who is also running for the House of Delegates. She admired the permanency of the brick and steel amphitheater as well: “It’s going to last. The other thing that was here was already falling apart.”
Southeast Action Forum member and long-time City Council watcher Duane Howard, who opposed building the amphitheater at Elmwood Park, was nonetheless impressed. “It is very attractive. I look forward to seeing how it will work out [logistically] at a full event.” Howard wanted to see something built on the Victory Stadium site.
“But this may work out well. I just miss the basic green space for Elmwood Park and the loss of the trees.” Howard wants to see more trees planted to replace the ones that have been lost to the amphitheater and brick walkway on old Bullitt Avenue. The city will also install public art along that boulevard. “It’s cool,” said an enthused Cathcart. That sentiment seemed to be shared by others as well.
By Gene Marrano
