A 1.6 million dollar project that turned two parking lots at Campbell and Market Street into a pedestrian plaza was officially opened when Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, members of City Council, vendors and other officials cut the ribbon in late April. Not everyone was initially happy about the price tag or the loss of some parking slots but the plaza – which also entailed moving some Farmer’s Market booths to front on Campbell Avenue – has been pretty busy since they took the wraps off.
During last weekend’s Strawberry Festival both the Market Plaza and Market Street near the Farmer’s Market booths – closed to traffic for the event – were packed with people visiting shops, listening to live music or just strolling along on a warm day. The city and Downtown Roanoke Inc., which backed the project, tried to assure market vendors that the project would be completed by April, before the peak of their busiest season set in.
That meant working through the winter as weather permitted and the plaza was completed before the end of April. There was plenty of work to do – including raising and rebuilding utilities located below the plaza.
The plaza now sports new tables, chairs and umbrellas that are set up for those that may want to eat or just rest for a bit. Street musicians – buskers – have already found their way to the space, providing some impromptu entertainment.
Many have long felt that the most obvious missing component in downtown Roanoke was a pedestrian-only plaza, and while Market Street in the middle of the space is still open to traffic, there are now two large squares where people can congregate.
During events like the Strawberry Festival the upper end of Market Street, which heads towards Elmwood Park, can also be closed to thru-traffic, in effect creating a larger plaza for the day or weekend. “How do you like your Roanoke City Farmer’s Market?” asked Bowers as he prepared to help cut the ribbon. The mayor called Roanoke, “The Real McCoy…we are very proud of our progressive mountain city.”
Bowers said he was pleased with the final design after initial concepts that showed something on a much grander scale, perhaps with Italian-style fountains. “[We must] never lose sight of where we came from,” he said. The Mayor also said the new plaza would further cement Roanoke’s reputation, as recently reported in a travel magazine, as “one of the great American public places in our country.” Bowers also noted the market area’s history, where he said flowers, plants, produce – even cattle at one point – had been sold over the past 100 years.
Downtown Roanoke Incorporated President and CEO Tina Workman took part in the ribbon cutting. DRI manages the vendors in the Farmer’s Market. “I think it’s going to do wonderful things for downtown,” said Workman, “I think it’s going to change the number of people that are shopping on the market and coming downtown.” Workman said lunchtime programs in the plaza will lure more local employees to the area – and to eateries like those located in the adjacent City Market building.
Retailers in the market area should benefit as well. Workman acknowledged that not everyone was gung-ho about spending the money on a pedestrian plaza or losing a few parking spaces, but she said the final verdict has been positive. “At first everyone was a little skeptical but now I’ve gotten so much positive feedback from visitors, employees downtown and shop owners. They see what a value it is and how it adds to downtown.”
She also likes the booths that were moved to Campbell Avenue. “It’s more of an entrance to the Farmer’s Market. That can only help.”
By Gene Marrano
