City Hall - The Roanoke Rambler

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."

City Hall

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.

City Hall

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.

City Hall

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.

City Hall

'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.

City Hall

'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.

City Hall

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.

City Hall

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.

City Hall

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.

Arts

After Blunt Letter, City Warms to Solution for Jefferson Center

City Council members said the Jefferson Center is too important to lose.

City Hall

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.

City Hall

'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.

City Hall

Roanoke Spent $5 Million More in '24 Than Council Authorized, Violating State Law, Audit Says

The finding underscored accounting issues that have plagued the government and which emerged during a belt-tightening budget year.

City Hall

Roanoke Council Eyes Moving School Finance System Back Under City Hall Oversight

Roanoke City Council members are considering whether to merge the city and school district's finance systems in a bid for more oversight.

City Hall

Volosin: 'Mismanagement' Put Roanoke in Budget Predicament

In a prepared statement Volosin blamed the former administration of City Manager Bob Cowell for numerous issues.