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Higher‑education center asks city to deed parking lot; Gainsborough residents press for safeguards
Summary
Roanoke Higher Education Center asked Aug. 19 for the city to transfer deed of a surface parking lot to the Roanoke Higher Education Authority to provide free student parking. Neighbors from the Gainsborough community urged council to protect planned playground and ask staff to fully brief council before any conveyance.
Kaye Dunkley, executive director of the Roanoke Higher Education Center, told the Roanoke City Council on Aug. 19 that a deed transfer of an adjacent surface lot would add about 68 spaces, bringing the center’s total available student parking to about 202 spaces as enrollment is projected to rise this fall.
Dunkley said the center leases three lots (two from the city and one from Norfolk Southern) and that free parking operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis for many students whose schedules run roughly 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Today, I am standing before you to request the city transfer the deed of the higher education lot, which is currently operated by Park Roanoke, to the Roanoke Higher Education Authority,” she said.
The request drew support from higher‑education partners at the dais: Glenn Mayhew, assistant provost for Radford University and a member of the Higher Education Authority board, and Yvonne Campbell, dean of business technology and trades at Virginia Western, described student need and coursework that rely on downtown facilities.
But several Gainsborough residents who testified during public comment said the proposal threatened neighborhood plans. Brenda Allen, speaking for the historic Gainsborough community, said the neighborhood views the grassy area north of the center as part of a planned community playground and that the way the proposal was communicated left residents feeling excluded. “It was kinda like… sprung at us,” she said, noting frustration over delays in ARPA‑funded projects and asking whether the city would sell the land if the authority offered to buy it.
Kathy Carter, also representing Gainsborough, said a deed of the parking area would interfere with neighborhood plans for a playground, amphitheater and housing tied to CDBG and ARPA funds. She urged council to refer interested parties to established neighborhood organizations so residents’ plans and priorities are considered.
Council members said the item was presented for information and that additional review was needed before any conveyance. City Attorney Spencer reminded council that disposal of public property requires a public hearing under Va. Code § 15.2‑1800 and an ordinance to effect a conveyance. Interim City Manager Patton said staff would meet with neighborhood representatives, planning and economic development and return to council promptly with more details.
No deed transfer was approved at the meeting. Council members asked for follow‑up briefings and more neighborhood outreach before any formal action.
What happens next: Staff and the interim city manager will review the request with planning and neighborhood representatives and report back to council; any property conveyance would require a noticed public hearing and subsequent ordinance vote.
