VINTON, VA (April 3, 2014) – The Town of Vinton and Roanoke County celebrated with a ground breaking today in downtown Vinton for the construction of the new Vinton Branch Library and downtown revitalization projects.
The construction of these projects is the culmination of four years of planning and citizen involvement to rejuvenate downtown. Streetscape improvements, including decorative lamp posts, pedestrian improvements to intersections, façade enhancements, farmers market/stage house renovations, and wayfinding signage are all part of a $700,000 grant provided by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
Additionally, new sidewalks, a new Glade Creek Greenway trail, and a new Walnut Avenue bridge are all projects under design and construction to improve traffic and pedestrian access to downtown and the greater Roanoke River Greenway system.
The anchor project of the revitalization is a $9 million, 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art library in the heart of downtown. The library project is estimated to bring over 200,000 new people into the downtown district. Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Jason Peters stated, "These are exciting times for the Town of Vinton. I am both pleased and proud of the investment Roanoke County is making in the Vinton district. The new library will be a great addition to the downtown area and act as a community hub for both Vinton and Mount Pleasant residents."
The next 18 months will include construction of the library and numerous projects in downtown. “The future is bright for Vinton and our doors are open to new business and new customers,” added Mayor Brad Grose. “Whether you want a bite to eat, specialty clothes, financial and personal services, appliances, meetings space, or a good book to read, you will be able to find it and more in downtown Vinton.”
Library construction is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2015. Other downtown improvements are planned for completion for the summer of 2015.