City Hall - The Roanoke Rambler

Affordable Housing: Questioning the Meaning of Zero and the Importance of the Caper Report

The PowerPoint presenting the annual report was left out in a sparsely attended City Council meeting, with no mention of the many zeros filling out this year’s scorecard for federal Affordable Housing initiatives.

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Watch, Listen, and Read: The Valmarie Turner Interview (City Manager of Roanoke City)

Her Tenure as Roanoke City Manager in Six Questions Watch the interview Roanoke, VA Author: Roanoke Rambler Staff, Hart Fowler Lead Published: 9:00 AM EST July 29, 2026 Edited: 9:00 AM EST July 29, 2026 1) The Twilight Zone: Zoning Policy, Politics, and Following Orders “Whether we have

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Roanoke Planning Director Exits As One-Third of Department's Jobs Remain Vacant

Jillian Papa is the latest in a string of managers to leave City Hall.

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Money on the Mind: Roanoke's Finances Generate Debate Amid Meals Tax, Debt Decisions

The city needs revenue -- and the city council may leave a tax in place past its sunset to do that.

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Roanoke Gets $75,000 From Casino Developer, What It's For Remains Out of Public Eye

Of an entertainment district with a possible casino at the Berglund Center, Mayor Joe Cobb wrote Tuesday that "saying no doesn't get us anywhere."

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Roanoke's AI-Driven Parking Offers Easy Access, City Says — But Not All Agree

The city contracted with the largest private parking firm in the country to provide the latest AI-driven technology.

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Roanoke Is Paying Richmond Lobbying Firm $6,000 Monthly To Pursue Casino Deal

The city will need to beat long odds at the moment to get a casino license.

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Turnover Tension Grips Roanoke City Hall As Two Key Figures Depart

City Attorney Tim Spencer is retiring March 1 and Finance Director Margaret Lindsey’s last day was Monday.

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'Some Tough Decisions' Ahead as Consultant Gives Reality Check on Roanoke Finances

The city paid PFM Group to take an independent look at what the next five years may bring.

Environment

Municipal Munching Now Part of Roanoke's Landscaping Toolbox

The first city project of its kind is using goats and sheep to clear a section of Valley Park.

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'Unacceptable': Roanoke City Leaders Say Change Is Needed in Youth Recreation Programs

Some Roanoke leaders say they are frustrated by canceled football games and a critical audit of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

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Roanoke City Manager Eyes Future of Berglund Center's Name — and Operations Overall

City Manager Valmarie Turner said the city's continued subsidy is one reason why she’s taking a thorough look at the facility’s operations.

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New Roanoke Council Members Eye Rehashing an Old Issue: City's Evans Spring Master Plan

The 150 acres of privately-owned woodlands across from Valley View Mall is the last tract of undeveloped land of its size in the city.

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Roanoke City Manager Acknowledges Using AI in Writing Inaugural Speech

As AI becomes more prevalent, local governments are among the many workplaces and institutions grappling with how to regulate its use.

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Roanoke Sheriff Finds Home for Inmate Center — in Building Where Councilman Hagen Lives

Res Ipsa Properties, which includes Nick Hagen and his parents, is renting a part of the building for $3,125 a month.

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The $64-Million Question: How Will Roanoke End Up Spending Its Pandemic Relief Money?

Roanoke steered the biggest chunks of its pandemic relief money to food, fun and affordable housing.

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'We're Not Going to Tolerate It': Incidents at Pools, Short Staffing Lead To Conundrum

Vandalism and violence in the days after the joyful June 6 opening of the new Washington Park pool frustrate city leaders and may prompt added security at taxpayer cost. City Parks and Recreation workers walked and searched the water and floor of the new Washington Park pool for hours looking

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Despite Spending Errors, Roanoke Ended '24 Budget Year with Extra Cash

There remain dueling narratives about who’s to blame for some of the recent spending and accounting lapses that auditors flagged.