| Continuing
online discussion |
Mill
Mountain restaurant project discussion on roanoke.com “message
board” at
---www.roanoke.com/messages/messageList.aspx?MSID=1&MMID=366 |
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| Comments
from various sources |
APVA
Preservation Virginia
May
13, APVA
Preservation Virginia Places Mill Mountain on the 2008 Endangered
Historic Sites List
----http://www.apva.org/pressroom/press_release.php?pr_id=71
The
Richmond-based foundation's statement says, in part: "The threat
to the mountain is a proposal by Valley Forward, a new organization
of young professionals who want to build a Rockledge Center with
a restaurant, coffee shop, community and meeting rooms."
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Western
Virginia Land Trust
Summer,
2007, Western
Virginai Land Trust (WVLT) recommends a conservation easement
for Mill Mountain Park and, if the mountaintop area is not included
in that, recommends that City Council provide specific protections
in accord with the City’s Mill Mountain Management Plan (http://tinyurl.com/66b66f),
which include ensuring that all mountaintop development is below the
tree line and “respects the natural character of the mountain.”
----http://www.westernvirginialandtrust.org/Docs/summer2007.pdf
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Roanoke
Valley Preservation Foundation
April
6, 2007, Roanoke
Valley Preservation Foundation opposes Mill Mountain development and
VF proposal
----Text
of the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation statement |
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Sierra
Club (Roanoke Group)
Jan.
24, Sierra
Club leaders testify against Mill Mountain development
----virginia.sierraclub.org/roanoke/millmountaincomments.html
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Quote
from the above document:
"Roanoke
Group of the Sierra Club opposes development of Mill
Mountain Park
for commercial purposes, based on our
existing policy on development which includes the following
points: 1) Natural areas and open spaces should be preserved,
2) Public park lands should be off limits to commercial
development, and 3) Development should be undertaken only
in areas already
served by adequate public infrastructure."
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" We
are not in favor of anything on top of the mountain or on any property
that our family gave." "People say, 'You've got the star
and Discovery Center and the new bathroom and playgrounds. You've
got development, so what's wrong with one more thing?' But we're
for not having anything else put up there."
---— Louise
Kegley, member of the Fishburn family, the donors of the park. April
11, Roanoke Times
---------Mill
Mountain's future creates impasse for council candidates
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“ If
we’re going to exploit the mountain, let’s exploit
the heck out of it. In other words, take out a swath of trees
to open up a vista.”
---— Shanna
Flowers, after visiting Pittsburgh's LeMont Restaurant.
April 22 Roanoke Times
-------It's
all about the view
--------------(See
a photo of the restaurant.) -----
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“ The
success of any place, especially a place like downtown, depends
on the experience it offers.”
“Downtown
has an essential place in society. It is the heart and soul of any
community.”
---— David
Feehan, president of International Downtown Association. Feb.
24, Roanoke Times
---------www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/151956 |
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| Compiled
suggestions for VF |
The
following is a list of projects, activities and programs which
have been suggested for Valley Forward's support and action in
their pursuit of their stated aims. The listed items are from
recently published letters and articles
from multiple writers. Some of the matters listed are already among
VF projects.
These
are not presented as MMC recommendations, just a sample of the
numerous possibilities which have been suggested in published
articles and letters for VF to address.
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develop the greenway system;
work for redevelopment/restoration of downtown;
support our burgeoning art community;
support building an outdoor amphitheater;
develop a riverfront walk with small shops and restaurants
owned by local business people;
link greenways to a riverwalk, Mill Mountain, the Parkway,
and Appalachian Trail;
develop/support a diverse range of employment possibilities;
support bike friendly status;
support communities with safe neighborhoods and sidewalks;
support accreditation and improvement of schools;
develop/support accessible greenspace for all;
support the expansion of area wi-fi zones;
create some enhancement for the monthly Art-by-Night occasions
of the downtown galleries;
develop a weekly informal chamber music lunchtime event at
the new art museum’s cafe or patio;
sponsor an avant garde film series at the Grandin Theater or
the new art museum;
create a program of augmenting selected categories of library
holdings in the local system;
develop esthetic and sports-use of the Roanoke River;
preserve green fields;
control urban sprawl by focusing development in existing neighborhoods
and business districts;
work for efficient energy-use and reduced carbon emission in
new and existing developments;
bring the Patrick Henry Hotel back into service |
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---Save
Mill Mountain