Other Roanoke developers expressed mixed feelings about Bob Cowell’s departure, with a couple saying it was time the city manager moved on.

The action was a change from a last-minute meeting Friday, when City Council voted to institute a full $20,000 pay bump next year.

Bev Fitzpatrick served three terms on Council beginning in the 1980s and was later executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Lydia Pettis Patton will succeed Bob Cowell in an interim capacity over the next four months, Roanoke leaders announced

Bob Cowell's contract says the city must pay him a year's salary and benefits under a "no cause termination" clause.

In the wake of toxic workplace claims, City Manager Bob Cowell resigned and Council installed Mayor Sherman Lea as an acting city manager.

City Council members on Monday rebuffed any effort to reduce property taxes this year, but expressed sympathy with exploring that option in the future.

Tasha Burkett, who became chief deputy in March, says she intends to run for the office next year as an independent.

Brent Robertson, who also served as finance director, was stripped of his titles just as city leaders are finalizing a $379-million budget.

City treasurer since 2003, Evelyn Powers will retire with a 43-year career in Roanoke government.

“I would like to see us investigate how this information was leaked,” the mayor told Roanoke's city manager.

City Council is nearing a vote on whether to incorporate a development plan into Roanoke's master plan.

Steel costs and the time it took to get permits from Norfolk Southern contributed to the bridge project's price tag, city manager says.

Northwest Roanoke residents and activists said the city should acquire the 150-acre woodlands and turn it into a public park.

Council's legislative priorities last year prompted some resident pushback after the city urged lawmakers to revisit criminal justice reforms.

Big box and medium-sized retail stores would also be crucial to making any development economically worthwhile, consultants say.

The additional time may also play in favor of efforts to salvage the park’s caretaker’s cottage.

When the lease ended, the city had sought proposals for the former fire station, which is in need of significant repairs.