Neighborhoods - The Roanoke Rambler

Roanoke City Struggles To Retain Neighborhood Liaison, With Fourth Hire in Five Years

Some who served in the position felt their advocacy for neighborhoods and residents conflicted with the city’s position on issues.

Owen McGuire and Freeda Cathcart of the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association were removed in a 63-25 vote.

Nearly two years after City Council earmarked American Rescue Plan Act funds for the idea, none has gone to a Gainsboro hub.

Residents expressed confusion and criticism over a report aimed at guiding the long-neglected neighborhood’s revitalization.

Over the last decade, Southeast Roanoke has experienced the steepest drop in population among any Roanoke neighborhood.

Negotiations broke down in recent months because of the property’s convoluted ownership model, the city said.

The effort marks a shift in city thinking from a focus on downtown to revitalizing neighborhood centers across Roanoke.

Last year, Roanoke inched above 100,000 in population for the first time in forty years. But not all that growth is spread evenly across the city.

Tensions over whether and how the neighborhood should change, cross generational, racial and class lines.