Norfolk Southern Cuts 140 Roanoke Jobs

NS tran passes Winston Link Museum in Roanoke

Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the most important employers in the region, plans to cut 140 jobs in Roanoke, ending what it calls “regional railcar classification operations.” The company has 1,870 workers in the area. The Roanoke Terminal has lost 30 percent of its general merchandise cars business in the last seven years.

VP of Transportation Terry Evans was quoted as saying, “The employees who work at Roanoke are dedicated and efficient, but the geographical location and layout of the hump yard make it not only expensive but redundant within our network.” 

Officials say most of those losing their jobs are Carmen—who inspect and repair cars—and train crews. In addition, a few track maintenance positions are affected. According to published reports, Norfolk Southern anticipates hiring between 850 and 1,150 employees in 2013 to keep up with attrition. These positions will first be offered to employees affected by the Roanoke change and employees furloughed at other locations.

(Norfolk Southern photo)

South Peak Plans New Hilton Garden Inn

South Peak has released plans for a 117-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel that will soon be under construction.  The approximately $15-million hotel, will also include roughly 2,000 square feet of conference/meeting space with an additional 1,000 square feet of break out space and a fifth floor conference room with mountain views.  In addition, there will be a full-service restaurant and lounge and fireplaces in 40 guest rooms.  The hotel is expected to be open by spring of 2014.

 “This hotel brings a new look and feel to Roanoke,” said Hunter Smith, president of Smith/Packett, which is developing South Peak.  “The hotel will have the same arts and crafts design as The Peaks residences.  It’s part of our plan to carry the same architectural theme throughout the South Peak project.”

The Hilton Garden Inn will be located at an elevation below The Peaks residences, giving guests a beautiful view of the mountains and downtown Roanoke.  Additional amenities include a fitness center, a heated indoor pool with whirlpool, family suites and a 24-hour business center.  Guest rooms and suites will be available in a variety of floor plans and will include microwaves and refrigerators, along with the Hilton Garden Inn brand’s signature Garden Sleep System®, high definition television, spacious work desk and ergonomic chair, a living room area and balconies overlooking the courtyard.

 “This development in Roanoke is a perfect place for a Hilton Garden Inn,” said Adrian Kurre, Global Head, Hilton Garden Inn.  “As an award-winning upscale hotel brand, Hilton Garden Inn caters to both business and leisure travelers who are seeking upscale, yet affordable accommodations in Roanoke.” 

A ground breaking is planned for late March or early April of 2013 for the hotel. Construction will continue through 2013, and the first guests could be staying at the South Peak hotel as early as February of 2014.

A Broadband Step Forward for Roanoke Valley

Greater access to an affordable high-speed broadband network in the Roanoke Valley took a step forward Wednesday with the adoption of recommendations that include forming a regional Broadband Authority to increase affordable access to broadband technologies. 

The Roanoke Valley Fiber/Broadband Task Force, comprised of business leaders and local governments, developed recommendations in the nine months following the release of a study, which can be found at www.highspeedroanoke.com. The study showed that the Roanoke Region is lagging behind other surrounding communities when it comes to affordable broadband access. 

The task force is recommending the creation of a regional Broadband Authority to implement a number of objectives to expand the infrastructure of broadband throughout the region while making it easier for existing broadband providers to deploy their technology. The proposed authority would be created by interested localities in the Roanoke Valley under the Virginia’s Wireless Service Authority Act. 

 “With the continued growth of the Internet and ever-increasing appetite for bandwidth, we need to develop a plan that addresses our current and future needs to accelerate the growth of our regional economy and attract new businesses and residents,” said William Fralin, president and CEO of Medical Facilities of America and a member of the task force. 

 “This access to reasonably-priced, high-speed Internet has the potential to better prepare students to enter the work force, improve the economic viability of home-based business and ultimately attract new businesses and residents while encouraging local business growth.”  

The task force’s comprehensive recommendations are to:

•  Identify and reach out to large companies, institutions and broadband users to broaden stakeholder support.
• Develop a master plan for construction and operation of a high-speed, redundant regional network ring.  The network should reach schools, industrial parks, large employers and other economic centers.
• Develop cooperative agreements for localities with technical specifications and commercial terms for operating the network and for exchanging data across municipal boundaries.
• Develop and implement “dig once” requirements for construction projects, including the placement of open-access conduit for optical fiber cable.
• Explore the creation of policies and/or agreements with Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech for open access to high-speed Internet in their adjacent communities.
•  Work with the New River Valley and other adjacent communities that are supporting existing broadband and fiber deployments.
• Communicate broadband-related activities and technology to the public.

To improve the availability of low-cost broadband for residents and businesses in the region, the task force recommends:

• Streamlining permitting of towers for Long Term Evolution (LTE), marketed as 4G LTE, to increase the availability of wireless broadband with emphasis on rural areas.
• Promoting open access to encourage competitive and diverse offerings of Internet services.
• Working with Virginia Tech, Western Virginia Water Authority and other entities to conduct an asset inventory related to wireless technology deployment.
• Identifying wireless Encouraging the rapid deployment of DOCIS 3.0 by cable operators to increase the bandwidth at an affordable cost to cable subscribers.
• Opportunities and partnerships to provide broadband opportunities to underserved areas.
•  Working with existing providers to streamline regulations/permitting an encourage affordable service options
• Considering a request for information for an open-access, fiber-to-the-home network and carefully examine the viability of such a network in the Roanoke Valley.

The task force also wants to explore the need and economic feasibility of developing one or more data centers in the region.

Wayne Strickland, executive director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, which released the broadband study last May with the backing of Botetourt and Roanoke counties and the cities of Roanoke and Salem, added: “The recommendations being released today are an important step toward building infrastructure that attracts business and mobilizes the region to enhance economic vitality and quality of life.” 

(Photo: voip-info.blogspot.com)

Carilion Rolls Out (Stair) Wellness Campaign

CEO Nancy Agee (center) and Michele Hamilton get ready for a TV interview.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier today, Carilion Clinic launched Stairwellness – a wellness initiative to encourage employees and visitors at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH) to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Stairwellness is a free, convenient way to incorporate exercise into a daily routine. To help motivate this positive behavior change, the stairwell in the South tower of CRMH is now outfitted with colorful blocks of paint containing fun health information regarding the benefits of stair climbing.

“Carilion continues to put a strong focus on wellness and preventative care. Through small changes, such as promoting stairwell usage, we are creating a supportive environment and building a culture of wellness,” said Michele Hamilton, employee wellness consultant at Carilion Clinic. “Our employees are our patients too. We are cultivating an environment that supports healthy decision-making.”

Carilion launched the “Choose Wisely” program for employees last fall. Each month the Dining & Nutrition Services department identifies one health item as a wise choice. If an employee chooses the item, their receipt is stamped by the cashier and they are entered to win prizes. The Choose Wisely program rewards employees for making healthy decisions.

Other Carilion employee wellness initiatives include a monetary incentive for non-tobacco users, fitness and nutrition pilot programs, healthy and organic vending options, free flu vaccinations, bio-metric health screenings, on-site group fitness, Step by Step walking program, Weight Watchers at Work, and a “farmers’ table” or market of healthy foods.

“We anticipate implementing more wellness programs and extending existing programs in the near future. We want our employees to feel good about their health and we want to support their healthy lifestyles at work,” concluded Hamilton.

Stairwellness will be extended to community hospitals in the coming months. For more information, visit CarilionClinic.org.

New Dentists Office Features Green Technology

Drs. Singleton, Dickey and Lynch at the dedication.

A trio of Roanoke dentists today hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to show off the first dentist office in the world built with Passivhaus, a low-energy building technology that typically reduces energy use by 70 percent.

The new building for Drs. Randolph Dickey, John Singleton and Sean Lynch, at 1510 Franklin Ave., boasts such energy-saving features as a passive geo thermal ground loop, 92 percent efficient heating and cooling energy recovery systems that deliver complete fresh air to the interior, and an airtight building envelop insulation system that significantly reduces the need for oversized mechanical equipment.

It was designed and built by Structures Design Build of Roanoke. Co-founder Adam Cohen is a Certified Passivhaus Designer.

Passivhaus, the German term for a trend in construction that raises the bar in energy efficiency standards, typically uses up to 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling than conventional buildings. Passivhaus buildings also have a footprint that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 70 percent over other new buildings.

The new dentist office has architectural design features such as large overhangs and external arches similar to that of a railway passenger terminal. Its new construction also adheres to the strict architectural standards of the Old Southwest neighborhood. Triple pane energy efficient widows that are airtight. A fresh air ventilation system that brings in 100 percent fresh air without recirculation of any interior air resulting in healthier interior air.

Girl Scouts Head New CEO of RVSPCA

Hayes

The oft-troubled Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals today announced the appointment of C. Denise Hayes of Roanoke as the new CEO for the region’s largest organization for homeless and unwanted animals.

Hayes, a long-time foster and advocate for the RVSPCA, has most recently been serving as chief operating officer at Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline.  She begins her new role Feb. 21.

“We are delighted to select an experienced non-profit executive who loves animals, and has already contributed as a volunteer, to lead our organization into the future,” said Barbara Dalhouse, president of the RVSPCA’s board of directors. “Our board recognized the many talents Denise brings to us, including strategic planning, oversight of a robust volunteer program, budget planning, community outreach and leadership development.”

Hayes will replace Kandy Elliott, who has served as the interim executive director since August.

 During her almost nine years at the Girl Scouts, most recently as chief operating officer, Hayes has overseen daily operations for an organization that serves nearly 10,000 girls and 3,500 adult volunteers in a 36-county region. She also has led programming, membership and volunteer services.

Prior to joining the Girl Scouts, Hayes worked in event management at both Washington & Lee University School of Law and at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs.

David Bandy New President at Spectrum

John Garland (center) talks to a group about his downtown plans.

Spectrum Design today announced that vice president and director of design, David L. Bandy has been promoted to president, succeeding John Garland who retired from the firm on Dec. 31, 2012, in order to solely focus on his many downtown Roanoke renovation and development projects.

In addition to Bandy’s appointment, the firm also announced the hiring of John A. Missell, AIA, as Chief Operating Officer, effective Jan. 7, 2013.

David Bandy

“This is an exciting time for Spectrum Design as we look forward to what new leadership and vision will bring to the firm and our clients,” said Bandy.  “We’re grateful to John Garland for his years of leadership and dedication and wish him much success in his next chapter.  As we look ahead as a firm, we’re excited for the experience and vision that John Missell will add to our team.”

Prior to his new role as president, Bandy’s leadership and architectural vision has contributed to many of Spectrum Design’s most notable projects including the renovations to Center in the Square, the Roanoke Higher Education Center, and the O. Winston Link Museum and Roanoke Visitors Center.  His unique “design-to-teach” approach and design expertise for educational facilities has also garnered significant attention through Roanoke County school projects, including Cave Spring Middle School and Northside High School.

Prior to joining Spectrum Design, Missell served as regional director of Middle East operations in Doha, Qatar for Tetra Tech, a leading provider of consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. In this role, Missell led the design and planning efforts for the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, the Ras Laffan Emergency and Safety College in Qatar, and regional health centers in Ethiopia for the United States Agency for International Development.  He has also served as managing partner for Hayes Large Architects, LLP in Pittsburgh, Pa. and as a senior architect on a number of educational commissions.

Taubman Selects Art Museum Professional as ED

Della Watkins: ED of theTaubman

The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke has selected a native of Tappahannock and graduate of both James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth, Della Watkins, as its newest executive director after a search of several months. She has been an art educator and comes to Roanoke from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where she was the chief educator.

She has two grown sons and is looking for a home in Roanoke.

Watkins has been with the VMFA since 1997 and has taught in Richmond, Virginia Beach and Charlottesville. Heywood Fralin of the Taubman board of directors said, "We're not ready to disclose that" when asked what her salary would be. She replaces David Mickenburg, whose term was ended Oct. 8 with the appointment of a new board and the announcement of a new director (including a couple of major gifts). The Taubman, says Fralin, has drawn 13,600 visitors since the restructuring, which he calls "remarkable."

Watkins says, "I look forward to working with this community, outstanding staff and committed board to take the Taubman Museum of Art to new and lively levels, applying the skills and knowledge I gained over the years while serving one of the nation's leading art museums. I am committed to leading the Taubman to be an even more engaging social, educational and cultural organization."

Breakell Inc., 'Green" Roanoke Builder, Closes

Breakell Inc. in Roanoke, a major construction firm with a green reputation, has closed at least partly because an employee cheated the company out of more than $1 million, according to the chairman and CEO of Breakell.

The company is more than 50 years old and in recent years has been a leader in the green building revolution, starting with its own offices, which were heated and cooled by the sun. Charges are pending against former project manager Jamie Graham, who has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

The company’s Patterson Avenue headquarters has been sold at auction (bought by Suntrust Bank for $288,750).

Betsy Parkins: PRSA's Illuminator

Betsy Parkins

Betsy Parkins, director of social media at Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, has received the Illuminator Award from the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
 

The award is given annually to a member who “is a bright spot in the group, who lights up the organization with positive attitude and many contributions.”

Parkins has served as professional development chair for a chapter of more than 80 public relations and marketing professionals in western Virginia.

“We’re immensely proud of Betsy and her recognition for what many of our clients already know – Betsy has many bright ideas that are making a difference, whether for a professional organization or a marketing challenge,” said Roger Neathawk, CEO. “This award, symbolized by a giant light bulb, is the perfect icon for Betsy’s many contributions.”

Expansion Set at Homestead Creamery; 20 New Jobs

Homestead Creamery's Farm Market Store

Franklin County-based Homestead Creamery, known for its home delivery, plans to expand its facilities and introduce a line of cheeses as part of a $1.1 million expansion supported by a new state grant designed to support Virginia’s agricultural industry.

The expansion is expected to create 20 new full-time jobs over three years at the dairy’s Franklin County production facility.

Announcing the expansion at Homestead, Viginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said, “Awarding the first-ever Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) grant to a company like Homestead Creamery ...  is the perfect way to launch this new program from my administration’s economic development and jobs creation agenda.

"Homestead is just the type of company for which this program was built, one that can take the high-quality agricultural products Virginia has to offer and turn them into value-added products consumers are seeking. I’m certain the AFID will provide further growth opportunities for Virginia’s diverse agricultural economy, the Commonwealth’s largest industry.”

Homestead will receive a $60,000 grant through the fund, established this year by the General Assembly as a new economic development tool to help incentivize the creation or expansion of businesses that use Virginia agricultural and forestry products, particularly in rural areas.

The expansion also is made possible by a $45,000 grant through the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund from the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission and a Franklin County grant of $30,000. The company will also receive training assistance from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

(Photo: vegologyblog.com.)

Women's Foundation Presents Record Award Amounts

Pictured recipients (from left): Mark Powell and Duane D’Ardenne, Roanoke Community Garden Association; Kathy Chittum and Mary Jean Levin, Grandin Theatre Foundation; Jenny Neel and Denise Yopp, Bethany Hall; Tonia Drewery and Ana Smith Goller, Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley

The Roanoke Women’s Foundation (RWF), a component fund of Foundation for Roanoke Valley, has announced four recipients of its grant awards, at $262,000 the largest total given to date.

The latest grants presented in December, bring to $1,506,000 the total in grants funded since the organization’s inception in 2004.

“In our eighth year, with 131 members, The Roanoke Women’s Foundation has now exceeded over $1.5 million in total giving; a significant achievement this year in a down economy” says Kandy Elliott, co-founder of the RWF.  Elliott and co-founder Ginny Jarrett established the RWF as a way for women in the Roanoke and New River Valleys to pool their philanthropic goals and resources in order to make significant gifts to the community.

“The growth of The Roanoke Women’s Foundation over the years has been exceptional, and these latest awards continue the tradition that RWF has built of making high-impact, transformative grants,” added Alan Ronk, executive director of Foundation for Roanoke Valley.

Now in its eighth year, RWF has funded 30 organizations and programs.  This year, 48 organizations applied for funding from the RWF.  Through a rigorous grant making process, that number was narrowed to a group that was presented to the membership for their vote.  Based on those results, the following grants were awarded in the 2012 grant cycle: 

Bethany Hall, Inc. - $60,000 to support its “Kitchen Renovation” project for the women in their residential and day treatment substance abuse program.  Their kitchen is at the heart of this healing community; last year it produced 10,863 meals and provided an empowering opportunity to create baked goods and treats used in the women’s fundraising efforts.  Existing appliances and cabinetry are woefully inadequate.  This funding will include upgrading appliances to commercial quality, new cabinets, and a moveable work table.  Bethany Hall is only one of two single-gender, long term programs in Virginia that allow children and newborns to remain with their mothers in treatment. 

Grandin Theatre Foundation, Inc. - $95,000 to upgrade their 35 mm projection equipment to digital equipment.  While 35 mm film was the movie industry standard for over 100 years, in the near future it will no longer be a viable technology.  This grant will enable the Grandin to remain competitive and viable in order to show newly released films.  The Roanoke Women’s Foundation grant will help to offset the total project cost of $275,000. The Grandin will launch a public campaign to raise additional funding needed to complete the conversion. 

Roanoke Community Garden Association - $70,000 to provide funds to design, build and start the Association’s fourth garden, The Mountain View Garden.  The garden will be built on the adjacent vacant lot by the Mountain View Community Center.  The new garden will serve the Mountain View, Grandin Road, Old Southwest and downtown neighborhoods.  The gardens increase locally grown organic food or hundreds of underprivileged and handicapped citizens as well as refugees and immigrants.  Residents who register to use a plot are asked to pay $20 and volunteer an hour a week to help maintain their bed and help others.  This location provides a flat plot and plenty of space for aspiring gardeners. 

Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley - $37,000 to partially fund a staff attorney designated as the domestic violence specialist. The balance of funds needed will be provided through another grant and general funds.  Domestic violence is a persistent problem in our communities.  Reported cases have risen dramatically (45.9% in 2010).  Intervention can save a victim’s life, save her or his home and the home of any children involved, and has an impact beyond those immediately involved.  Legal Aid is the only organization in the valley that provides a full range of legal representation to victims of domestic violence. 

Seven Montgomery Winners Among Gap 50

The Center for Innovative Technologies (CIT) announced the winners of the Gap 50 Entrepreneur Awards today in Herndon.  Part of Governor Bob McDonnell’s “Year of the Entrepreneur” initiative, the statewide program is intended to identify and celebrate Virginia’s next generation of entrepreneurs who are creating high-growth companies.  Winners from Montgomery County include: 

Hussein Ahmed, Founder and CEO of KustomNote.com, Blacksburg. 

Coming from Egypt to Virginia, Hussein got his PhD in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. Staying in Blacksburg, he joined VTLS Inc. as a Software Engineer making his way up to Engineering Manager in two years. Hussein started a number of businesses with thousands of users and several press coverages. He was named this year by Roankoe Times as "Coders Rockstar" and his last startup KustomNote.com was selected from among 174 as a finalist in Evernote's 2012 Devcup competing next for the Grand Prize in San Fancisco. 

Doug Juanarena, Vice President of RackSpace Hosting, Blacksburg. 

Doug Juanarena has been a serial entrepreneur for the past 35 years as a founder & CEO of three sensor and instrumentation startups. In 2005, he founded GenTek Ventures to mentor startup founders and help raise private equity. He is a board member for the Va Tech/ Carilion NewVa venture capital fund. Over the past 25 years, he has been a board member and director of a number of technology advocacy groups and University advisory boards. 

Nathan Latka, Co-founder and CEO of Heyo, Blacksburg. 

Learning from Warren Buffet, and desiring larger profit margins and visibility, Nathan taught himself FBML. This followed the launch of Fan Page Factory which dominated as the major provider of customized Fan Pages for small business.He headed sales, social marketing, and community engagement. Eventually, he couldn’t personally handle all of the work the Fan Page Factory brand was creating. He then partnered with Brian Putt and Joshua Gunter to launch Lujure. The Lujure platform is a DIY drag and drop fan page customization tool. Nathan heads sales, marketing, and product development under his CEO title. 

Peter Lazar, CEO of eBroselow, Blacksburg. 

Peter Lazar is co-founder of eBroselow, LLC. With partners Dr. Jim Broselow (the inventor of the Broselow Tape) and Dr. Bob Luten, Lazar developed a web and mobile-based clinical support system for hospitals and EMS. Launched in 2010 and now licensed to over 150 hospitals and over 7000 medical professionals, Lazar hopes it will save many lives by preventing medical errors. Formerly, Peter Lazar founded an award-winning mobile video technology and successful web development company.

Jack Lesko, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg.  

Jack serves as the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies in VT’s College of Engineering and is co-founder and principle of PowerHub Systems, a 2008 startup headquartered in the VT Corporate Research Center. Through this startup experience with PowerHub, Jack is working with the university community and the local startup ecosystem to support students and faculty developing new technology based ventures through structured and practical entrepreneurial training opportunities. 

Caroline Pugh, COO of VirtualU, Blacksburg. 

Caroline is the COO and Co-Founder of VirtualU, a company based on integrating 3D human modeling technology into the e-commerce industry. Caroline is the former President of the Virginia Tech Entrepreneur Club where she raised a record amount of over $11,000 for the club, organized the annual student team competition (VT $5K), helped to introduce the first entrepreneurship classes with in the College of Science and host weekly week networking and speaking events. Currently working with university officials and entrepreneurs to help build an Entrepreneurship Center at Virginia Tech that would help fund innovative technologies and help commercialize them. To build entrepreneurship on a more national and global level, Caroline serves as the President for the DC region and Director of Partnerships for Kairos Society, one of the largest and most prominent, student run entrepreneurship organizations.

Bob Summers, Chief Geek of Friendeo, Blacksburg. 

Bob Summers has developed and marketed commercial software applications for consumers and enterprises since 1994. He is currently Chief Geek @ Friendeo, his fifth startup. Mr. Summers has a BS in computer engineering from Virginia Tech and MBA from MIT Sloan. He is founder of 460 Angels and TechPad.

CIT President and CEO Pete Jobse was quoted in a press release as saying:  “We are honored to recognize these entrepreneurs today as part of the Year of the Entrepreneur and the CIT GAP 50 Entrepreneur Awards.  They represent Virginia’s thriving community of innovative entrepreneurs who are laying the foundation for a bright economic future.”

Winners from Roanoke include:     Eddie Amos, senior vice president and CTO, Meridium; Kevin Bloomfield, president and CEO, NetVentures; and Sam English, president and CEO, Attention Point, Roanoke. 

Over 800 entrepreneurs from across Virginia were nominated for the CIT Gap 50 Entrepreneur Awards.

Sarah Beth Jones Cited as FRONT's Top Contributor for 2012

Contributor of the year Sarah Beth Jones.

Top columnist Mike Miller with Publisher Tom Field.

Editor's Awatd winner Randolph Walker.

Valley Business FRONT presented its writer awards todayat Hunting Hills Country Club for 2012 and Sarah Beth Jones took the top prize as Contributor of the Year.

Laura Purcell

Sarah was cited for the overall excellence of her work, including two cover stories that were finalists for Story of the Year.

That award went to Laura Purcell for her story "Unions!" Sarah Beth's story, "Tattoos," was the runnerup.

Mike Miller, the FRONT's technology columnist, was named Columnist of the Year and Randolph Walker won the Editor's Award.

Preservation Foundation Issues 2012 Awards

Winners of the Preservation Foundation's Annual Awards at the Transportation Museum tonight.

Restaurants, a renovated service station, downtown lofts, a restored locomotive, a garden club and the Fitzpatrick family are among the 11 recipients of awards presented by Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation at its 2012 annual meeting Thursday.

Each year, the Foundation calls attention to the values of restoring and reusing older structures, encourages stewardship of these buildings and also recognizes environmental projects and individual achievement. “This year’s list has a great deal of diversity—both in building types, recipients and location—which speaks to the vibrancy of preservation in the valley,” said Alison Blanton, Foundation president.

The awards include the typical downtown development projects, as well as new building types such as a gas station and new areas like Williamson Road and Wasena. A family and two civic organizations are recognized for their efforts to preserve local history in its various forms.

The River House

“We are especially excited to give awards to two projects—1222 Campbell Avenue, SW, and Mill Mountain—which were previously on our endangered sites list,” Blanton said.   
 

The 11 awards recipients:

•             16 West Marketplace, 16 W. Church Ave.
•             Carlin’s Amoco Station, 1721 Williamson Road
•             Woolworth Building, 24-28 Campbell Ave, SW
•              River House, 806 Wasena Ave., SW
•              River and Rail Restaurant, 2201 Crystal Spring Ave., SW
•              Lofts at West Station, 357 Salem Ave., SW
•              1222 Campbell Ave., SW
•              Habitat for Humanity, Hurt Park, Old Southwest neighborhoods
•              Chesapeake Western diesel engine 662, Virginia Museum of Transportation
•              Mill Mountain Garden Club, Mill Mountain Park
•              Helen Fitzpatrick and sons Beverly Jr., Eric and Broaddus

              116 West, Carlin’s Amoco, Woolworth Building, River House, River and Rail and the Lofts were cited for adaptive reuse; 1222 Campbell, for renovation; Habitat for Humanity, for renovation and compatible infill development; Engine 662, restoration; Mill Mountain Garden Club, environmental stewardship, and the Fitzpatrick family, lifetime achievement.

Carlin’s Amoco station was built in 1947 and operated as a gas service station until the 1980s when it remained vacant until Berglund Automotive Group bought it in 1998 and began renovating it for office space. Among the original details preserved and restored are the entrance pylon with glass block strips, large display windows and garage doors. The station is a symbol of the development of Williamson Road as a center for auto sales and service.

16 West

 Bill Elliot bought two vacant, adjoining Woolworth buildings, dating from the early 1900s, and converted them into three commercial spaces, 11 apartments and an interior garage. The art deco buildings housed a confectionary, hardware store and later Woolworth, until it closed in 1994. The buildings had a number of design challenges, such as a four-foot difference in elevation from one side to another. In 1949, the buildings were encased in light, beige brick, with stone coping and aluminum storefront.

The River House was a cold storage operation, Roanoke’s main source of ice, from the early 1920s until the 1990s. Developer Ed Walker has renovated the formerly vacant building for 128 apartment units, a restaurant and tap house and a rock climbing wall. The structure overlooks Roanoke River and its greenway in the Wasena neighborhood.

Whit and Lauren Ellerman and Kari and Lee Atwood have converted the former Lipes Pharmacy in the Crystal Spring neighborhood of South Roanoke into River and Rail Restaurant. The pharmacy operated from 1929 until it closed in 2011. The only exterior change in the rehabilitation was addition of an awning on the front façade. An old Lipes Pharmacy logo and storefront aluminum were retained.

Campbell Ave. home

Bill Chapman, a Richmond developer, took a four-story warehouse built in 1903 for Lindsey-Robinson, a milling company, along with an adjoining 1912 warehouse for Victory Specialty Co., and produced 71 apartment units, a movie theater and Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer’s restaurant, with an outdoor dining patio. Natural light for the interior was provided by an atrium, used as a model by the National Park Service.

In another John Garland project, a long-vacant craftsman bungalow at 1222 Campbell has been renovated as a home for his son, Aaron Garland and his wife. The 96-year-old house retains such architectural details as exposed rafters, soffits, original plaster and wood floors and restored wood casement windows.

Habitat for Humanity has been constructing compatible, residential infill and renovating historic homes in the Hurt Park and Old Southwest neighborhoods since 2009. Habitat is contributing to the integrity and character of neighborhoods, in addition to providing a home for a deserving family. New homes are compatible with existing houses and those renovated kept many original features, such as hardwood floors, leaded glass transoms and mantle pieces. Twelve new homes and three renovations have been completed.

Diesel-Electric Engine 662, built in 1946 when steam locomotives were replaced, was restored by the Roanoke chapter of the National Railway Historical Society at Virginia Museum of Transportation. The engine was used by Chesapeake Western Railway in the Shenandoah Valley until it was retired in 1964 and left rusting as one of the “Lost Engines of Roanoke” at Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal. That firm donated the engine, an outstanding example of an historically accurate cosmetic rail restoration, to the museum.

            

Carlin's Amaco

 Mill Mountain Garden Club has maintained a wildflower garden on a 2.5-acre tract atop Mill Mountain for almost 40 years. The club recently planted five blight-resistant chestnut trees there and installed a chestnut “education box” to dispense information about the endangered trees. The club has provided a water recycling system, plant markers, a woodland outdoor classroom and many native wildflowers, shrubs and trees.

            
The family of the late Judge Beverly T. Fitzpatrick has made many contributions to the Roanoke Valley. The judge was a leader in restoration of the high school as the Jefferson Center. Helen Fitzpatrick has written many notes of celebration, encouragement and sympathy for years. She has been an elder and Bible teacher at Second Presbyterian Church, a reader for the blind and a community supporter. Of her three sons, Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Jr., has led the Transportation Museum to a strong position as a repository of trains, planes and all forms of transportation. A former vice mayor and City Council member, he has held executive posts in banking and education.

            

Diesel 622

Eric Fitzpatrick, an award-winning artist, has won recognition for paintings with both his right and left hands. His works in oils, watercolors and pastels of landscapes, seascapes and Valley events, are widely held. Washington & Lee University produced a film of his work. Broaddus Fitzpatrick, an environmentalist and retired lawyer, has held leadership roles in Western Virginia Land Trust, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and he worked as a conservation easement specialist. He served on the Blue Ridge Soil and Water District board and has worked on wind energy, mountaintop coal removal and uranium mining issues.

            
 The awards were presented at the annual meeting of the Foundation at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. 

Wayne Henderson, leading petroleum industry historian from North Carolina, talked on the historic gasoline stations of Roanoke. Henderson maintains the world's largest information and photo archives on gas stations and has authored or co-authored 16 books about petroleum industry history and petroleum collectibles.