Roanoke's Urban Core

newvaconnects held a Professional Development luncheon last week, where I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sabine U. O’Hara (President of Roanoke College) present her findings regarding a study she conducted with Dr. Jose Vazquez on the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. Although her findings were interesting, they were not surprising, especially to adults in their 20’s or 30’s who are single or DINKs (Dual-income, no-kids).

The Roanoke Area, based on the findings, is in need of three things. One, an Urban Core including high-end retail, music venues, and diversification. Two, our suburbs need playgrounds, sidewalks, and childcare facilities close to home. Third, recreation is deemed desirable if we can hike, bike, and have water access within 15 minutes of where we live. It was also mentioned that we are in need of more alternative health care providers such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists and the like.

Dr. O’Hara’s paper can be read at the following address: http://web.roanoke.edu/Documents/Roanoke%20Economic%20Development%202006.pdf.

I encourage you to read it and share your thoughts, questions, concerns, and compliments. How can we go about bringing change to the area and obtaining what is needed? Are you willing to invest some of your time into promoting changes here in Roanoke? Why or why not?

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com