Roanoke council approves Tinker Creek contract amendment and accepts federal grants including $770,000 Build America award

Roanoke City Council on Nov. 18 approved a set of routine but consequential actions: a contract amendment for the Tinker Creek Greenway project, acceptance of a U.S. Department of Justice bulletproof vest partnership grant and acceptance of a $770,000 Innovative Finance and Asset Concession grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau.

On the Tinker Creek Greenway project, a council resolution authorizes the interim city manager or designee to execute a contract amendment with Allegheny Construction Company, Inc. for additional work on the project. The clerk called the roll and all members present voted "Aye," and the resolution passed.

Council next approved an ordinance accepting a FY2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and authorized the interim city manager to execute required documents; the ordinance passed on a roll‑call vote with all members voting "Aye."

The meeting’s most discussed award was a $770,000 Build America Bureau grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund a consultant‑led study of underutilized, city‑owned properties within a half‑mile of the Amtrak station. City staff and grant coordinators said the full amount will be used to retain consultants to identify city‑owned parcels that might be redeveloped or repurposed and to package financing options that could attract developers. "This is a half‑mile radius around the train station," a staff member said when describing the grant parameters; staff confirmed the city will conduct an RFP process to select a consultant.

Council members asked whether any of the grant funds would be reserved for implementation (for example, affordable housing incentives) and were told the $770,000 covers primarily consultant fees and associated outreach. Staff said future implementation or developer incentives would be considered separately. Council approved the ordinance on a roll‑call vote with all members voting "Aye."

Votes at a glance: - Resolution authorizing contract amendment with Allegheny Construction Company, Inc. for Tinker Creek Greenway — Approved (roll call: Miss Sanchez Jones Aye; Mister Fitzpatrick Aye; Vice Mayor Cobb Aye; Miss White Boyd Aye; Mister Vollison Aye; Miss Moon Reynolds Aye; Mayor Lee Aye). - Ordinance accepting FY2024 Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant (U.S. Department of Justice) — Approved (same roll call: all Aye). - Ordinance accepting $770,000 Innovative Finance and Asset Concession grant (U.S. Department of Transportation Build America Bureau) — Approved (same roll call: all Aye).

Staff said grant‑funded studies and consultant work will return to council with updates as projects develop; the Build America grant will be followed by an RFP to procure consultants.