The Roanoke Economic Development Authority has received a $1 million state award to support the development of the former Walker Foundry site, which sits near the Roanoke River Greenway in the city’s Norwich neighborhood.
Developer Greg Kaknes and The Foundry Realty are working to rehabilitate the vacant industrial site, which closed in 2019 after employing thousands in the region for almost 100 years. Their purchase of the property was finalized in April.
“We have received tremendous support and encouragement from the city and look forward to repaying that trust with a truly transformational project for Norwich,” Kaknes said in a press release announcing the grant from the state’s Industrial Revitalization Fund, which supports the redevelopment of vacant and deteriorated industrial and commercial buildings. It’s overseen by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development…