The city paid $8 million for 236 acres off Tinker Creek Lane, one of the only large, open pieces of land left inside city limits. A school, housing, parks and jobs are all being considered. Council members say a data center is not.

Roanoke, VA

Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff

Published: 8:21 AM EST September 30, 2026

Edited: 8:31 AM EST September 30, 2026

Listen here: Roanokesradio.com

Roanoke doesn't have much empty land left. City Council member Phazhon Nash put it simply: "We don't have much available land in the city that is just up for dibs. Most of it is privately held or owned."

On Sept. 8, the council voted 7-0 to change that, at least for one large piece of northeast Roanoke. The city is buying the former Ole Monterey Golf Club, 236 acres along Tinker Creek Lane NE, from Valley Lands Inc. for $8 million, according to the city. The city is buying the land free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

The only other open area in the city of similar size is Evans Spring, about 150 acres, and it is split among several private owners. That makes Ole Monterey the largest single open area the city can control directly.

"Advancing priority projects requires having developable land available," City Manager Valmarie Turner said. "Investing in land for housing, schools, and/or industrial development is an investment in Roanoke's future."

The Economic Development Case

Marc Nelson, the city's Director of Economic Development, said his office saw the property's value right away.

"The acquisition provides the City with an opportunity to expand our assets in many key areas," Nelson said in the city's announcement. "We immediately recognized it as critical to the future development of our city."

Nelson has led the department since 2021 and oversees a staff of nine working on business attraction, retention and expansion, public-private investment, and economic equity, according to the University of Virginia. He worked for the city of Savannah and North Carolina's state budget office before coming to Roanoke.

The land matters most for jobs. The Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology, the city's industrial park, has only two tracts left, a city spokesperson told Virginia Business. Without new land, the city has little room to offer a manufacturer that wants to open or expand here.

The budget pressure is real too. Roanoke faced an $18.9 million gap going into its 2026-27 budget and closed it by cutting positions and millions of dollars in capital projects.

Nash has stated: "We need more revenue. You only cut expenses so much before you start seeing a decrease in the quality and delivery of your services to our citizens."

Where the $8 Million Comes From

This question is still open. Turner is looking for possible funding sources. As of Sept. 25, the city had not publicly named where the money would come from.

The property is assessed at $2.8 million for tax purposes, according to city real estate data cited by Cardinal News. The final price came out of negotiations with the owner. Council member Peter Volosin said the city got good value.

"This is something that we've been looking at for a while," Volosin said at the meeting. "I think this was a great price for what we're getting, and the opportunity it opens up for our city is tremendous."

Five Options, and What Each Means for Neighbors

The city has named five possible uses, and it hasn't committed to any of them yet.

A school campus. Roanoke City Public Schools is dealing with overcrowding. Roanoke City Council Members said the site could hold a third high school if the division decides to build one. For neighbors, a school would mean school-day traffic, and it could also bring fields and facilities the community can use.

Housing. The city lists housing as a priority, and Mayor Joe Cobb said the purchase helps the city "address housing challenges." For nearby residents, the effects would depend on the density and design, which the city hasn't proposed yet.

Parks and recreation. Vice Mayor Terry McGuire has said northeast Roanoke needs more park space. A park would change the least about how the land looks today.

Industrial expansion. Adding the land to the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology would give the city ready sites for manufacturing jobs. Powers said council has discussed light manufacturing. For neighbors, the details would decide the impact: truck routes, buffers, and building size.

A mix of these. At 236 acres, the site is big enough for more than one use.

Is a Data Center Legally Possible?

It would be difficult under the city's own rules. In July, the council voted unanimously to adopt data center rules before any developer had proposed one. Under those rules:

• Data centers are allowed only by special exception in the Industrial Planned Unit Development (IPUD) district They aren't allowed by right anywhere in the city.
• Any project would need a study of its effects on the electric grid, water supply and transportation, plus standards for landscaping, building design and noise.

Since the city now owns the land, a data center developer would also need the city to agree to sell or lease the property.

History on the Land

Ole Monterey has a long history. The land was once owned by Col. William Fleming, who briefly served as Virginia's governor during the Revolutionary War. He and his wife, Nancy, are buried there, Virginia Business reported. Black golfers were allowed to play at the club in 1966, according to The Roanoke Times as cited by Virginia Business. The Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation put the property on its 2026 endangered sites list. The land also borders Kegley family property, 116 acres of which is under a conservation easement.

City ownership gives residents a say in what happens to that history. Alison Blanton, a foundation trustee, said she hopes the city will be "sensitive" in how it develops the site.

Public Input Comes Next

Council members say the public will help decide how the land is used. McGuire supported the purchase and told his colleagues he expects a collaborative process.

"I think it's really important that if we use public taxpayer dollars for it, that the public has some input, and there be some transparency in this process," McGuire said. McGuire also said the council hasn't settled on a preferred use, even though an Economic Development social media post described the purchase as expanding industrial capacity. Council members have said they want the public involved before a final use is chosen.

The Roanoke Rambler