The Roanoker - May/June 2014 - 81

Nathan Vaught credits speedy permits from
the city for some of the downtown success.

higher numbers of units, I think it will be critical to look
at the timing of projects and their size, and how they are
brought to the market, so that the projects continue to
be successful. Quality above quantity will be paramount
in this situation."
John Garland began developing old buildings downtown when he was CEO of Spectrum Design. He has
retired from Spectrum now, but is still developing. He
says, developers "do not create the demand, they simply
fill the demand. I believe downtown has to be careful to
not over saturate the residential side without simultaneously developing the types of spaces and amenities that
fled to the suburbs and are at the malls. Retail is still
abysmal downtown and only slightly improving. The
challenge for retail is, as a small business, being able to
compete with the big box store. ... The buying power of
the big chain is an overwhelming advantage."
Aaron Ewert is the project manager for WVS Companies, which is developing his father Bern Ewert's The
Bridges, a million-square-foot, $150 million mixed-use
project across the street from Virginia Tech Carilion on
South Jefferson Street. The project includes a river walk
entertainment area, housing and businesses and has an
ETA of 10 years, opening incrementally. It has almost
immediately expanded downtown's outer limits and
brings in a huge medical community - including VTC
physician/research students.
THE

R OANOKER.COM

SHIFTING CENTER
Says the younger Ewert (whose dad was city manager of
Roanoke during Design '79), "Downtown is shifting in
nature. We are landlocked and cannot annex property
in the city, so it is exciting to repurpose industrial land
to grow our central core. It means downtown is growing and so is our valley."
Ewert counts the amenities: "Access by bike within a
mile of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Roanoke River, Appalachian Trail, Mill Mountain, the Greenway, a 24/7
lifestyle, music and pedestrian areas. More technology
and communications infrastructure. More affordable
living for young professionals, continually improving
schools, recreational high end facilities."
The unofficial Developers Club has a strong membership, says Ewert. "I think all the developers are excited to see other projects moving ahead. We are all
stronger together than as individuals and our common
purpose is to create amazing spaces for amazing people.
Roanoke is full of both."
Ewert, who lived downtown in 2000 when he was one
of 10 residents, believes "the next piece is the push west
towards Grandin Village to fill in the hole and expand
downtown that direction. But we also still need to fill in
the Jefferson corridor with retail, office and possibly more
housing. My boss, Jason Vickers-Smith, loves Roanoke
and is looking even at other projects within city limits."
MAY/JUNE 2014

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