Development - The Roanoke Rambler

Fishburn Park Coffee Shop Proposal Rejected by Council, Despite Prior Vote To Sell Land

In a surprising move, City Council voted against rezoning land for the business, despite agreeing earlier to sell the property for that purpose.

“The ‘no development’ option is not really an option that’s on the table,” a city official says.

The university and hospital system say they don’t have specific plans for what may replace the recently demolished buildings.

An economic impact study estimates the project will support 2,053 jobs and generate $326 million in economic impact by 2040.

The mixed-use project will also include businesses and for residents feature a swimming pool, clubhouse, coffee bar and dog park.

Council members said the need for more housing trumped neighbors' concerns about traffic and the environment.

Roanoke’s planning commission said the city should rezone the Brandon Avenue property for 29 townhomes.

R. P. Fralin Inc.’s scaled-back plan is the third time in five years it has tried to develop the land, efforts neighbors have rebuffed.

Since Roanoke City Council voted to pay for a development master plan, a small group of activists has been strategizing.