What is Roanoke's function? Purpose?

What is Roanoke's function? Richmond is the state capital, Charlotte is the banking capital. Is Roanoke's medical centers, Carilion Clinic, defining Roanoke's 'function'? As the top employer in the Valley, it seems obvious that the answer is yes. But shouldn't a city like Roanoke have more industry?

There's Nothing To Do In Roanoke

Does anybody remember the book There's Nothing to Do In Roanoke? The title, of course, is intends to be ironic, representing a familiar complaint from young Roanokers. The book continues to list several things to do and see in the Roanoke Valley as an attempt to disprove this negative claim.

I have been compiling information on things to do in Roanoke--art galleries, museums, bars, live music, etc etc--for the past three weeks and I cannot believe how much stuff there is in this region that no one knows about. Of course there is the Star, the Hotel Roanoke and the Farmer's Market, Dixie Caverns and Smith Moutain Lake, but there are also hundreds of restaurants, 44 art galleries, 5 wineries and vineyards, 29 professional music ensembles and singing groups, 50 bars and venues for live entertainment, and over 10 live theatre groups and venues! There are hiking and biking trails all over the place, great fly-fishing and about five lakes near by.
The art scene is growing at a rapid rate with the new Taubman Museum of Art. And, there is an impressive music scene beginning to take shape in the area.
Talk about one of the most underrated cities in the nation. And, worst of all, most people who live here are the ones who underrate it!

There's a lot to do in Roanoke.

Create Roanoke

Four guys just graduated from college and are moving to Roanoke. Three of them are not even from the area and they don't have jobs. So, what brings someone from York (PA) Lynchburg (VA) and D.C. to Roanoke?

Roanoke is a beautiful city. Within the mountains and around the river, there is the hidden gem of Downtown Roanoke. Downtown Roanoke is only recently being rediscovered by urban dwellers, regional artists, and young people looking for a good time on a Friday night. Quite frankly, Roanoke is a city that is slowly exposing its potential and finally making use of its talents.

When you move to D.C., Atlanta, or another super metropolis, you become the a member of an enormous crowd. You might find a job easily, but you can barely afford a decent place to live. What is attractive about Roanoke is that it is an emerging cultural and economic entity. While many of the big city amenities are here, there are also the outdoor amenities you couldn't find in larger cities. Moreover, Roanoke is a small enough city to easily get involved and influence the town.

The reason why we are moving to Roanoke is to become involved in the growing movement to push the city into the future.

Where to Live

Where do young people like to live when they get to the city? When it comes to choosing a place to live, convenience to grocery stores, popular amenities, highways and interstates, and other areas of interest are key. For recent college graduates and young people the question of where to live not only concerns the kind of region they want to live in, but the kind of neighborhood as well. They want other young people and they want a fun environment. The places that becomes a popular neighborhood for young people is Downtown and neighborhoods surrounding the downtown. While there are numerous apartment complexes, duplexes, and homes for rent in the region, the most likely living spaces that will be attractive to young unmarried adults will be places closer to the city's downtown. Downtown living is popular because there are numerous popular amenities within walking distance: work, restaurants, a market, concert halls and venues, gyms, festivals, etc. Finding a place in downtown, however, might be difficult because apartments are expensive or occupied. Downtown living has been taking off big time in Roanoke within the past decade. But, if you can't find a place to live downtown, the next best option might be in a nearby community that offers cheap and convenient living.

Places such as Georgetown in D.C. became what they are today because it served the purpose of providing housing for young people trying to be close to the downtown area. The Fan in Richmond is now also serving that purpose for young professionals looking for a cool, convenient place to live. I must admit that most young people move to place or neighborhood where other young people live. But the way that place became a popular young person living space is due to its convenience to the downtown area and other amenities. In my opinion (and I am sure others think this as well), Old Southwest is Roanoke's potential Fan or Georgetown. Old homes that have become affordable, offering duplexes and homes that have been remodeled into apartments. Lamedigs.com offers several living spaces in the Old Southwest area. While downtown is continuing its efforts to provide living, I believe that Old Southwest certainly has the potential to be a fun neighborhood for recent college graduates looking for a place to live. That's where I'll be looking for a place.

Creating an atmosphere?

Recently I have heard some individuals describe Roanoke as lacking in diversity. The city does host multicultural events, but such activity has yet to spill over into the fabric of the downtown (and city) atmosphere. Asheville and Charlottesville have been cited as models for exciting cultural hubs; however, both cities are strongly tied to large universities. Greenville, SC has, in the past decade, developed a thriving downtown social life and culture. It is a smaller city than Roanoke and has no college constituency, yet it has become a popular place for young professionals. I don't think it would be a bad idea to look into Greenville's city revitalization strategies for help in enhancing Roanoke's social scene.

While engaging the surrounding college communities could certainly aid in developing a more thriving cultural scene in downtown Roanoke, we should also try to involve our current youth; namely, high school kids. High schoolers tend to be the most excited about music, and the teenage years are when kids are developing their artistic and personal talents. I don't think it is a group we should focus whole-heartedly on, but I do think that by engaging ambitious and enthusiastic high school kids can help develop a downtown atmosphere.

Just some thoughts.

Look at Roanoke residents

If we want to begin attracting college graduates to Roanoke then, clearly, we need to begin while they are still in college. Gaining the attention of area college students should begin by focusing on Roanoke residents that attend these colleges. By recruiting Roanoke residents to get involved in the various organizations and events we have, we might have better luck at having those students return to the area. Furthermore, they can provide representation at their school and help us extend our efforts to other students not from the area.

The colleges that we consider to be in the 'Roanoke area' are Virginia Tech, Radford, Hollins, Roanoke College, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Ferrum, and Virginia Western Community College.

The College Community as a Resource

I believe that the key to improving the Roanoke scene might rely in increased involvement of the surrounding college communities. At first glance, Roanoke City does not appear to be a college town. In fact, it is not, but you might find it surprising that the Roanoke area is surrounded by 60,000 college students. Roanoke doesn’t contain the amenities, the spirit, and the attractions that a city of its kind should. The reasons for this are numerous, and the solutions limited. In my first analysis I identify three conditions that make a city conducive to an exciting professional and academic environment. That is, atmosphere, accessibility, and involvement; the first of which I consider in the post.

I need also admit that I make several assumptions. If those assumptions appear misguided or unjustified please, reader, expose my errors. My goal is not to rant and criticize the city’s direction, but to properly analyze our conditions and assess potential solutions.

Roanoke is a cool town with more potential, I believe, than the many think it has. The downtown district is a collection of historic buildings, several of which have been updated to the standards of the modern era. It includes a new illustrious art museum and several galleries supporting it, beautiful outdoor scenery and amenities, and a thriving young professional scene striving to enhance the Star City experience. Yet it is still struggling with the economic infrastructure required to support the city’s endeavors. Mixone6 has attracted numerous bands, but has had to dismiss them due to the lack of attendence. Hidden gems like Trio and Table 50 have problems because they are hidden behind the market stalls. The city, of course, does not deny these problems: Downtown Roanoke, Inc. has proposed a revitalization plan for the farmer’s market and market building. The city has isolated deteriorating buildings in the South Jefferson district for commercial development and revitalization. Downtown living is the priority of many local developers and it has thus far been met with significant success.

Roanoke could experience the economic stimulus for which it has been waiting by raising the awareness of the city’s events in the college communities. College students are the most active, creative, and ambitious people. If, some how, we attract them to local events, amenities, and opportunities, we might see an increase in the retainment of young college grads in the future. For now we could increase attendence to local music and entertainment events with their help, which will provide a more exciting and social downtown environment. Students may spend more time shopping in the area, which could increase the demand for more shopping opportunities.

I will continue to discuss these issues in the future, but I think we should start taking the college community into serious consideration as a resource for the future of Roanoke.