The university says the timing makes sense.
The Virginia Tech Foundation plans to sell the Hotel Roanoke and is talking with city leaders on how best to seal a deal, the university confirmed Tuesday.
“Given the hotel’s strength and success, along with operating and franchise agreements nearing renewal, the timing for this exploration is optimal,” university spokesman Mark Owczarski wrote in an emailed statement to The Roanoke Rambler. “The City of Roanoke and its council are supportive of this exploration.”
The foundation owns the hotel, while a commission — made up of three representatives from the city and three from Virginia Tech — owns the conference center. It’s a relationship that’s been in place since the hotel, which had fallen into disrepair and closed, was renovated and reopened with the conference center in 1995 after a substantial community effort to save the property…