The Roanoker - May/June 2014 - 84

and I think parking problems keep people away."
She'd like to see "a shuttle for the elderly so they can
buy produce and flowers." As the weather warmed after
a severe winter, her business and her mood picked up
considerably.

LIVING DOWNTOWN

The Ponce de Leon represents a
$7.9 million investment.

Affordability of downtown living "has been attractive to younger people," says Bryant. "You can rent a
place for $650 to $700 a month." Even the messy construction gets Bryant's juices going: "I like the construction. It's exciting. Every time I visit New York City,
there's construction everywhere. I look forward to
finishing it, though, and seeing what happens.
Deborah Goglia, owner of Birdie's Loft on City Market, says the constant assault of construction "has really
hurt business" in the area, and adds, "I'm really discouraged because parking is such a big issue, especially
for older people. There's no good handicapped parking

Eric Brady, a very young retiree from newspaper photography and a successful investor, is one of the few
people living downtown who has a child, four-yearold Aspen. His wife, Nicole Kaltz, has an acupuncture
clinic close to the Patrick Henry, where they live. His
simple logic: "Renting is so much easier than being a
homeowner; every weekend is free for family activities.
"The Patrick Henry and many other buildings downtown are built with steel and concrete; it doesn't feel
like you're living amongst so many other apartments
since the sound doesn't transfer, especially our unique
apartment, an old water tower on top of the PH converted to a penthouse apartment during the renovation
of the building."
Although "It's just slightly more expensive living
downtown," he says, "the new projects will keep the
market competitive and make downtown living available for more. ... Other downtown amenities will be
created to accommodate the extra residents. Perhaps
the last few remaining empty buildings will soon be
renovated too."
The construction is having an effect, says Brady.
"Downtown is getting a better vibe every day." I

THE TOP 10
These are the Top 10 projects, 2001 to the near future, in downtown Roanoke. The Bridges' $16
million is the first phase
of a projected $150 million
project. Chris Chittum, Roanoke's planning director,
says that since 2001, there
has been $93,741,097 total investment in buildings
that contain residential
units (some of that figure
may include commercial
space in a mixed use building). There have been 951
units built.
The projects listed represent the date building
permits were issued.

2013

2010

2008

2012

THE BRIDGES

PATRICK HENRY
RENOVATION

COTTON MILL
RENOVATION

SHENANDOAH
BUILDING

$14 million

$9 million

PONCE DE LEON
RENOVATION

$16 million
under
construction

2007
HANCOCK
BUILDING

$7.9 million

$7 million

under construction

2001
8 JEFFERSON
PLACE

2009

2005

OLD YMCA
RENOVATION

COLONIAL
ARMS

FULTON
MOTOR LOFTS

2007

$7.2 million $6.1 million $4.1 million $3.3 million $2.3 million
(old NS Buildings)

pulled for now

permits issued
separately for
projects

-Compiled by
Dan Smith

The Roanoker - May/June 2014

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