Community Developments

The “Reimagine” Hollins and Oak Grove planning studies are well underway this spring after four community meetings each, dozens of stakeholder interviews and hundreds of survey responses for the 20-year planning studies. Future ideas and design options include possibilities for commercial and residential redevelopment, new community spaces and multi-modal transportation improvements.

Survey Results

The study surveys were open from February 1 through April 7. The Hollins Center survey received 393 responses and the Oak Grove Center survey received 595. In both places, many respondents felt that the areas were conveniently located and nice places to live, but lacked dining, shopping and entertainment options. In Oak Grove, many looked forward to more spaces for both adults and youth to hang out. In Hollins there was a strong desire for redevelopment for housing, locally-owned businesses and an updated Hollins Library. One respondent suggested that “there are just not enough real estate opportunities for leasing quality space for small businesses…A planned community could be the catalyst to make the area grow.”

Another theme for both areas gathered from all the community input so far was the need for sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and/or shared-use paths to increase safety for all modes of transportation. One respondent on the Hollins survey pointed out that “this area is so convenient to Carvin’s Cove, Read Mountain, etc. It is important that [the plan] enhance the outdoor culture and make people comfortable outside their vehicles.” Another respondent stated that Oak Grove “desperately needs pedestrian access and improved accessibility for cars and pedestrians to businesses and neighborhoods. [There is] too much pavement. It is not a ‘place’; the area is just several shopping centers along a large highway…It can be more.”

While some respondents were concerned about too much change in either area, most were enthusiastic. One in Hollins claimed: “We need more in this area – we’re super excited about this initiative!” Another in Oak Grove cautiously desired a balanced approach to new development: “I'd be happy with either townhomes/duplexes or additional retail/restaurants, if it's planned in a thoughtful ‘town center’ kind of layout that integrates housing.”



Design Open House Meeting Results

At the community meetings in March, staff asked participants for preliminary feedback on the types of improvements they’d like to see in the study areas. At the design open houses in May, staff showed possible options and areas for redevelopment, public spaces and multi-modal transportation based upon all feedback received. In addition to reviewing maps, participants were able to vote on their preferred type and style of improvements in these broad categories.

A few ideas stood out in both study areas. Of the commercial redevelopment options, participants showed a preference for town center mixed-use development and did not want to see more “big box” anchor stores. Most participants also wanted pedestrian-oriented signage, outdoor seating at restaurants and lots of landscaping elements along the street. For outdoor recreation, participants liked the idea of a natural water / play park. Regarding transportation improvements, participants liked paved greenways, hiking trails and sidewalks, as well as separated bike and pedestrian shared use paths. Finally, participants liked the idea of a community trolley to provide transit options. 

If you would like to comment on the maps and vote on these options, please take our online design surveys for the Hollins Center or the Oak Grove Center; available through June 30.

Roanoke County will draft the Hollins and Oak Grove Center Plans over the summer and bring them back to the public for plan reveal meetings in the fall.

See the full results of the meeting exercises and stay in touch by signing up for:

• The Hollins Center email list at www.roanokecountyva.gov/Hollins.
• The Oak Grove Center email list at www.roanokecountyva.gov/OakGrove.