ROANOKE, Va. – From parking improvements to upgrading the area around Amtrak, the City of Roanoke is making significant enhancements to Downtown Roanoke aimed at attracting new businesses and increasing foot traffic in the city’s historic district.
The city is conducting a yearlong parking study of the downtown and River’s Edge areas, set to begin next month. This comes as many businesses complain that the price of parking is keeping people from shopping or dining out in their restaurants.
The most substantial investment comes from a $770,000 grant from the Department of Transportation, received in November. The funds will support development within a half-mile radius of the Amtrak station. One thing the city will focus on creating is more housing options…