Roanoke’s vision for improving the Melrose neighborhood one step at a time continued recently. After seven years of planning and an overall cost of approximately $1.85 million, the ‘Street Scape’ project was introduced by Mayor Sherman Lea Sr. on August 5.
In addition to significantly improving the sidewalks from 22nd and 24th street, the project will also upgrade the roadways and bike lanes too. Moreover, murals, designed by local artist Dan Kuehl, enhance two newly erected bus shelters.
“I’m a local teacher at Patrick Henry High School. I was making art on the side, and I’ve always tried to keep up with the opportunities in Roanoke. I love to improve the community by making art,” Kuehl said. “When this opportunity came up, I knew that I wanted to get involved.”
Invaluable feedback from longtime residents, community outreach efforts and participation from business owners and other Roanoke stakeholders was collectively vital in bringing the project to fruition.
One longtime resident, Stan Hale, of the Roanoke Tribune, reflected on how the upgrades enhance community spirit.
“The key factor there is being heard. It’s most important of course,” said Hale. “It’s great that the city not only heard but rose to our concerns, put it out there and here we are a better community and a better Roanoke.”The Melrose Avenue Street
scape Improvement Project included updated sidewalks, bike lanes, repaved roads, more landscaping, lighting and two, new covered bus stations.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mayor Lea said, “Today, we celebrate the completion of the Melrose Avenue Street Scape Improvement Project. The Roanoke community EC Pace was the prime contractor on the $1.85 million project. Major funding came from use of Community Development Block Grants, City of Roanoke Capital Funds and the Western Virginia Water Authority. Another feature that showcases the city’s feedback from the stakeholders are two covered bus shelters included in the streetscape improvements.”
In recent years, gun violence has plagued significant portions of the Melrose neighborhood. City officials are hopeful that these efforts will play a role in eventually eradicating that reality. It appears that by the end of the year, the City of Roanoke will open a new basketball park, among other efforts.
James Williams says when it comes to improving the community, people don’t want just words from the individuals they elect to office, they want actions. “Investing in the community is never a bad idea. Too often over the years, promises have been made but many never came to fruition,” he said. “Everyone that I have spoken with said they are elated at the prospects of the ‘Street Scape’ project.”
To get started, the project first needed approval from the city. Since the turn of the 21st Century, Roanoke has invested millions of dollars in various community initiatives and projects. Williams, like many other Roanoke residents, would like to see even other underserved areas in the city spruced up.
