A lot of debate lately has been centered on what the Market Building should look like once the city renovates it. I would love to hear from folks as to what you believe the city should do to improve this deterioriating building that is an anchor for our downtown.
As a city, I believe we need a vision and goal and should accordingly work to accomplish our vision for the future of the Market Building.
What do you think?
Game ANDROID UPDATE Yang Seru
11 months ago
7 comments:
Way to go, Court! This is why I voted for YOU. I am also tired of "business as usual" where people are marginalized by those who throw their power around. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get things done when we assure that everyone is informed and heard. However, a fair process without hidden agendas works for the benefit of all. It is time for open, inclusive and transparent process throughout our government. I know we can count on you to make it happen!
Good Luck,
Claire English
Way to go, Court! This is why I voted for YOU. I am also tired of "business as usual" where people are marginalized by those who throw their power around. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get things done when we assure that everyone is informed and heard. However, a fair process without hidden agendas works for the benefit of all. It is time for open, inclusive and transparent process throughout our government. I know we can count on you to make it happen!
Good Luck,
Claire English
I am a regular patron of the food court, but I believe the mayor's insistence that the interests of the current vendors should trump everyone else would only lead to a marginal improvement. The building belongs to the citizens of Roanoke, not just Chico and the other tenants. When their leases expire, the city owes them no further obligation. We have an opportunity to turn something very ordinary into something remarkable, but we can't do it if we allow the vendors to dominate the debate. Losing your lease is just one of the realities of owning a small business. We don't need to treat these people any differently than a private landlord would.
The mayor was highly critical of the DRI proposal, comparing their plan to a grocery store. Has he considered that a grocery store is a vital necessity if we really want to encourage downtown living?
Personally, I would like to see the building turned inside out so that each stall faces the street, much like the buildings on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.
I too agree with what "Chris" said about turning the market building "inside out" . Place the restaurants in the middle with seating around the windows and possibly on the sidewalks. I think even closing those two side streets to traffic and possibly covering them and placing tables there would be great. Maybe even have some market vendors around the outside of the building as well. Another possibility with regard to outside seating would be to somehow have outside seating on the second level, build decking over the sidewalk , and have covered seating up there without having to close the streets. The current place is just to dark. I bet some people come downtown and would not even know anything is in that building. I didnt see that proposal that was rejected, but I do think the Market Building should be a lot more than just a food court.
Ouch Chris...
While the City nor its citizens owes us a lease, it would be nice to have a little more consideration
than, bye, chao, hope you and Chico don't loose your livelihood and your home.
As for the many calls to redo the Market Building by the City and others, hey we are for it as long as it doesn't destroy livelihoods.
My wife and I have since 2000, asked the City agents to enlarge, update and externalize Burger in the Square, to little avail.
We have been blessed that Mr. Rosen has shown fair interest in our situation, and that Council recognizes that we do add a sense of community and local friendliness to an other wise commecial district, much like the farmers outside.
So I invite you as I do always do everyone, to come, eat and talk with us, and we will show you a plan for an outward facing Burger with stainless cleanliness, and that tasty reason that has earned us 11 dining awards and faithful customers who come not only from downtown, but from upper Williamson
and South Roanoke, for no other reason than our burgers.
Perhaps we can convice you that with some of Tom Lowes' study of the building, and D.R.I.'s best ideas from the study dismissed by the City Manager, that the building CAN be terribly vogue And shockingly Roanoke at the same time.
All we're asking is for a chance to present our vision and work forward into the plan that accentuates the Building, or be given a chance to relocate so as to do the business we always do in downtown. by Roanokers for Roanokers and those who visit and marvel at a food court unlike the ones they found in New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, and even San Francisco.
Thanks Court and all of you come and EAT.
Louis and Anita Wilson
Burger(hopefully) In The Square
Louise,
I am 100% in favor of preserving the local character and flavor of the food court. The fact that it isn't dominated by the franchised sameness that we see everywhere else makes it one of the most unique attractions in the Roanoke Valley. My wife and I do eat in the food court at least once a week and sometimes more frequently. My main problem is that I do not believe the interests of one group of stakeholders should be allowed to take precedence over the concerns of everyone else. I think at the very least we can agree that the city has handled the situation very poorly. I have written extensively on the subject at my own site, and I invite you to join the conversation there as well.
Chris Berry
I don't think that the vendors are asking to be the main or only consideration. Just to be involved and informed. To be able to plan ahead. How would you feel if your boss consistently kept you in the dark about whether or not you would have a job tomorrow? Now imagine that you had invested large amounts of money into that job as well?
I believe that if the city is going to own and operate a business location. They need to do so using good, sound business practices. Most businesses who lease their location do so on 3 or more year leases. This allows the owner to plan ahead and invest money in the location with a reasonable chance or recouping any loses. Why would any of the Market Vendors put thousands of dollars into their business now when they don't know from year to year if they will be able to stay in the building? This is a major reason for some of the "shabbiness" of the building.
I also have a problem with the complaint that the building "loses" so much money. Of course it does. Look at how many spots are not being used or for that matter maintained, which adds to the general look of disrepair. I've met many people who looked into renting spots over the years and, if they even got a call back from the city, were given any number of excuses to why they couldn't have a place in the building.
As an employee in the Market Building I worry if I will have a job next week. More importantly as a citizen of Roanoke and a taxpayer I'm concerned about what increasingly appears to be a mismanagment of taxpayer money.
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