Friends of Mountain View outline $4.68M vision to restore Fishburne Mansion, ask council to leverage $1.5M CIP allocation

Friends of Mountain View board members told Roanoke City Council on Dec. 15 that a completed vision plan for the Fishburne Mansion (also called Mountain View Recreation Center or the Fishburne Mansion) identifies urgent repairs and long-term reuse opportunities and carries a 2024 hard-construction estimate of $4,680,000 for the mansion, outbuildings and grounds.

The presenters said the 2024 estimate does not include soft costs (A/E fees and contingencies) and that prices have likely risen; they described the exterior work as both urgent and relatively contained, citing about $500,000 for exterior stabilization, and an interior/accessibility package around $2.5 million that would include an elevator and HVAC upgrades.

Lisonbee Blanton, a Friends of Mountain View board member and the spokesperson for the group, said the nonprofit has funded a vision plan (with grants from the Fishburne Foundation and a certified local government grant from the Department of Historic Resources) and has been working closely with city parks and recreation staff. "The plan ... had some cost estimates," Blanton said, and the board "will kick off in 2026 a capital campaign, to leverage the money that we know that the city has budgeted in the fiscal year 28 CIP plan for its $1,500,000.0." The group described a mix of grant-seeking, phased work, and volunteer-led maintenance to reduce near-term deterioration.

Why it matters: The Fishburne Mansion is on the National Register and contains historically significant features (including a rare steam-heated greenhouse). Presenters emphasized both preservation and adaptive reuse: repairing key fabric to prevent loss while expanding program space — for example by renovating the greenhouse for programming and converting an upstairs apartment and outbuildings for event support and rentals — so the property can support more public programming and revenue-generating rentals.

Council questions focused on historic standards, elevator placement, and near-term priorities. Blanton said the Friends and consultants followed Secretary of the Interior standards for work on the registered property and described a proposed elevator site that minimizes impacts to historic fabric. She also highlighted the unique greenhouse and a small outbuilding the group proposes to call "Bee's Cottage" (an interpretation and small-support space), and noted that some urgent intervention is needed to avoid losing architectural elements.

The presenters said the 2024 cost breakdown is intended to be sortable by urgency and scale so staff and the nonprofit can pursue smaller grants for discrete work if larger funding is not immediately available. They also said the Fishburne family has been engaged and supportive of the effort and that a documentary funded in part by the nonprofit will support fundraising and public engagement in spring 2026.

Next steps: Friends of Mountain View plan to start a capital campaign in 2026 and to coordinate with city staff to phase work and pursue grants. City council members accepted the report, urged continued collaboration and site tours, and noted the city already has a $1.5 million CIP line in FY28 that the nonprofit hopes to leverage.

Details from the meeting: The presentation (Friends of Mountain View) said the plan was completed in June–July 2024, was funded by the Fishburne Foundation and a certified local government grant from the Department of Historic Resources, and estimated $4,680,000 in 2024 hard-construction costs for buildings and grounds; presenters warned that number likely underestimates today’s full cost once soft costs and inflation are included.

The council did not vote on any appropriation at this meeting; the Friends asked for continued partnership, public awareness and permission to proceed with planning and fundraising.