The green space located at 106 Franklin Road, S.E., in downtown Roanoke has remained vacant for many years. That is about to change. The city has announced plans to develop the space and dedicate it in honor of former Governor Linwood Holton. City officials attended a celebratory tree planting ceremony on Friday Dec 9th.
“Our goal is to create parks and plazas that are inclusive, attractive, and community-based,” said Donnie Underwood, Parks and Greenways Planner for Roanoke Parks and Recreation. “Holton Plaza will be a special urban retreat for downtown workers and residents and also a way for our community to recognize a prominent leader in the Commonwealth.”
A. Linwood Holton Jr. was born on September 21, 1923 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. His father was “the executive of a small coal-hauling railroad”. Holton entered Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, in 1941. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he received a commission after graduating in 1944. He served on active duty submarine service throughout World War II and was in the reserves for more than two decades afterwards. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1949. Prior to entering politics, he was an attorney in Roanoke.
Holton was active in the Republican Party when it barely existed in Virginia. He was one of the leading Republicans who fought the Byrd Organization during the three decades it dominated Virginia politics.
In 1965, Holton ran for governor as the Republican candidate and was defeated by Democrat Mills E. Godwin Jr. In 1969, Holton won 52.51% of the vote in the gubernatorial election, defeating Democrat William C. Battle, Virginia Conservative Beverly B. McDowell, American Independent William A. Pennington, and Independent George R. Walker. He became the first Republican governor of Virginia since 1869.
“Throughout his career, Governor Holton had a positive impact on the lives of many Virginians,” said Roanoke City Councilman Bill Bestpitch. “While he was in office, he brought more African Americans and women into state government, provided the first funds in Virginia for community mental health centers, and helped reduce pollution in many rivers and streams in Virginia, among many other things.”
Design plans for Holton Plaza were also displayed at the announcement. The plaza’s edges will be pulled back from sidewalks to make room for food carts and food trucks. Larger shade trees will enclose the plaza near main sidewalks. Dogwoods, one of Holton’s favorite trees, and seat walls engraved with notable quotes from Holton’s inaugural address, will line the plaza’s perimeter. In addition, blooming Crepe Myrtle trees will surround a central island, where visitors will find a pedestal and plaques highlighting milestones in Holton’s life.
“Holton Plaza will enhance the pedestrian experience between City Market Square and Elmwood Park,” commented Underwood.
Construction of Holton Plaza is planned to begin in late spring of 2017.