Pulaski County’s decision to establish a Sports Entertainment and Tourism Authority (SET) has sparked excitement in the Roanoke community. Inspired by this development, it is crucial that Roanoke takes immediate action to create its own SET in partnership with Virginia’s Blue Ridge tourism agency. By doing so, the city can elevate its sports and entertainment offerings, enhance tourism, and secure the necessary funding for new facilities.
Collaborating closely with Landon Howard at VBR, it is evident that a quasi-governmental authority offers the most promising avenue for raising funds. Private, corporate, and governmental financing can be leveraged to construct and manage a diverse array of sports entertainment venues and activities within the Roanoke Valley. Emulating the success of economic development authorities, the SET model aligns perfectly with our objectives of sustaining the current sporting and entertainment calendar while simultaneously facilitating the development of new facilities.
Roanoke’s aspiration to compete with other metropolitan areas necessitates the expansion of our entertainment and meeting facilities. Moreover, the demand for an indoor sports fieldhouse emphasizes the urgency of our mission. Recognizing the significance of these endeavors, it is imperative for our mayor and city government to play active roles in supporting the advisory board, management, and financial stability of the esteemed downtown Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT). Establishing a partnership between the city and the VMT will not only ensure its stability but also open avenues for potential transformation into a state park or museum, akin to the esteemed California Railway Museum in Sacramento.
In an effort to enhance connectivity and attract both local residents and tourists, Roanoke should extend its support to Bev Fitzpatrick’s group, which envisions reviving the Southern rail line from Franklin Road through Wasena to Norwich. Inspired by the success of a similar bike/train excursion in our Korean sister city, Wonju, this venture promises to be a highly appealing and popular activity, operational throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Building on the achievements of Virginia’s renowned Crooked Road Music trail, Roanoke has the opportunity to become the “portal” through which visitors embark on their musical journey. By strengthening its connection with the Crooked Road, which currently terminates in Rocky Mount, just 28 miles away, Roanoke can position itself as a vibrant hub for music tourism. Additionally, we should strive to establish more “Virginia Mountain Music” venues and performances in downtown Roanoke, with Kirk Avenue serving as an ideal location, known for its historical significance as the former WDBJ Radio studios.
The vision outlined here by David A. Bowers, a Republican candidate for Mayor, paves the way for an exciting future for Roanoke. By embracing the creation of a Roanoke SET, supporting the VMT, revitalizing the Southern rail line, and embracing our musical heritage, we can transform our city into a flourishing destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism.
Pulaski Countyje odlučio uspostaviti Sports Entertainment and Tourism Authority (SET), što je izazvalo uzbuđenje u Roanoke zajednici. Inspirirani ovim razvojem, ključno je da Roanoke odmah poduzme akciju stvaranja vlastitog SET-a u partnerstvu s turističkom agencijom Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Na taj način, grad može podići svoju sportsku i zabavnu ponudu, unaprijediti turizam i osigurati potrebno financiranje za nove objekte.
Suradnja s Landon Howardom u VBR-u jasno pokazuje da kvazi-vladinsko tijelo pruža najpovoljniju mogućnost za prikupljanje sredstava. Privatno, korporativno i vladino financiranje mogu se iskoristiti za izgradnju i upravljanje raznolikim nizom sportskih i zabavnih prostora i aktivnosti u Roanoke Valleyu. Kopirajući uspjeh tijela za ekonomski razvoj, SET model savršeno se poklapa s našim ciljevima o održavanju trenutnog sportskog i zabavnog kalendara, istovremeno olakšavajući izgradnju novih objekata.
Roanokeova ambicija da se natječe s drugim metropolitanskim područjima zahtijeva širenje naše zabavne i sastajališne infrastrukture. Osim toga, potreba za unutarnjom sportskom dvoranom ističe hitnost naše misije. Prepoznajući značaj ovih poduhvata, imperativ je da naš gradonačelnik i gradska vlada igraju aktivne uloge u podršci savjetodavnog odbora, upravljanju i financijskoj stabilnosti uglednog centra za prijevoz, Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT). Uspostavljanje partnerstva između grada i VMT-a ne samo da će osigurati njegovu stabilnost, već će i otvoriti mogućnosti za eventualnu transformaciju u državni park ili muzej, slično uglednom muzeju kalifornijske željeznice u Sacramentu.
U nastojanju da poboljša povezanost i privuče lokalne stanovnike i turiste, Roanoke bi trebao podržati grupu Bev Fitzpatrick, koja si zamislja oživljavanje Southern željezničke linije od Franklin Road do Norwicha. Nadahnuti uspjehom sličnog biciklističko-željezničkog izleta u našem korejskom sestrinskom gradu, Wonju, ovaj poduhvat obećava da će biti vrlo privlačna i popularna aktivnost, dostupna tijekom proljeća, ljeta i jeseni.
Nadograđujući na dostignućima poznate glazbene staze Virginia’s Crooked Road, Roanoke ima priliku postati “portal” s kojeg posjetitelji kreću na svoje glazbeno putovanje. Jačanjem veze s Crooked Roadom, koji trenutno završava u Rocky Mountu, udaljenom samo 28 milja, Roanoke se može pozicionirati kao živahno središte glazbenog turizma. Dodatno, trebali bismo se truditi uspostaviti više “Virginia Mountain Music” mjesta i izvedbi u centru Roanokea, s Kirk Avenuea kao idealne lokacije, poznate po svojoj povijesnoj važnosti kao bivših studija radija WDBJ.
Vizija koju je ovdje predstavio David A. Bowers, republikanski kandidat za gradonačelnika, otvara put prema uzbudljivoj budućnosti za Roanoke. Prihvaćanjem stvaranja Roanoke SET-a, podržavanjem VMT-a, oživljavanjem Southern željezničke linije i njegovanjem našeg glazbenog nasljeđa, možemo transformirati naš grad u cvjetajuću destinaciju za sport, zabavu i turizam.