Putting Assets to Work: The Amtrak Station Area Asset Study

The City of Roanoke is reimagining the Amtrak Station area as a gateway to our community. Putting Assets to Work is a strategic placemaking initiative designed to transform city-owned property within a half-mile radius of the Roanoke Amtrak Platform into a vibrant, walkable, and welcoming urban district.
Backed by a $770,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are partnering with the expert consulting team at RebelGroup to unlock value from underutilized public assets.

Reimagine Roanoke’s Civic Assets

Help us transform key community spaces into vibrant centers that serve our residents and visitors.

While the study will ultimately focus on 2–3 high-priority projects, we are currently evaluating the following strategic locations, each with unique opportunities for transformation:

• 1 & 7 Jefferson Street: Currently housing the SBDC and Workforce Development Board; being assessed as a primary integration point for the Amtrak Station.
• 710 Williamson Rd. NE (Berglund Center): Evaluating new ways to anchor a premier entertainment district that draws people into the city.
• 24 Wells Ave Segment: Assessing the feasibility of a shared entrepreneur hub next to the Culinary Arts program to support Roanoke’s creators.
• Loudon & Gainsboro Segments: Exploring how vacant parcels (including 0 Loudon NW and 115 Centre Ave) can be assembled for high-impact neighborhood growth.
• 202 Henry Street Segment: 14 city-owned parcels currently used for parking, being reimagined as high-density spaces where people can live, work, and play.