Description:   Renovation of Center in the Square building (app. 150, 000 square feet) will include:
-Reconfiguration of the box office
-Moving Roanoke Weiner Stand and Little Dipper restaurant to current site of Center in the Square gift shop
-Restoring building’s 1917 facade
-Moving administrative office to another site and giving space to Science Museum of Western Virginia
-Renovating atrium to include interactive exhibits

 Map of Renovations

Downtown Roanoke Inc., is working on a plan to redesign West Market Square to create a gathering spot for pedestrians. The redesigned space would include illuminated pavement and an area for performances. Critics contend that long time vendors would be uprooted and much needed parking would be eliminated.

Cost Estimate: $27 Million ($18 million in historic tax credit, $9 million in Center funding)

Funding:  Public and private, grants, historic tax credits

Announced: Plans presented to City Council on April 7, 2008. Council voted November 17, 2008 to provide $1.5 million to Center in the Square over 5 years.

Timeframe:  Construction on Church Avenue Building-January -November 2010; Campbell Avenue Building-January-November 2011; Grand opening 2012.
Update: Because of difficulties obtaining financing, the project has been delayed. Renovations will begin January 2011 at the latest and will be completed by January 2013.

How Will It Enhance Quality of Life? Improve cultural activities, enhance educational opportunities, enhance downtown

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am and is filed under Quality of Life Project. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.