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Council approves vacating city easements at 2415 Russell Ave to allow Foundry Realty redevelopment
Summary
Roanoke City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance July 20 to vacate reserved utility easements across the Foundry Realty parcel at 2415 Russell Ave, enabling a mixed-use development of more than 100 townhomes and commercial structures and granting the owner a 60-day extension to meet prior ordinance conditions.
Roanoke City Council adopted an ordinance July 20 authorizing the vacation of several reserved utility easements across property owned by Foundry Realty LLC at 2415 Russell Avenue to allow a proposed mixed-use redevelopment.
Deputy city attorney David Collins said the easements across the former Walker Machine and Foundry plant are vacant and the owner plans to construct more than 100 townhomes plus commercial structures. Collins told the council staff had no objection to vacating the easements and recommended adoption of the ordinance.
Staff noted the city previously adopted an ordinance on Jan. 21, 2025 (ordinance no. 4312912125 as read aloud in the meeting transcript) with conditions requiring certain work and a subdivision plat by July 21, 2026. The property owner asked for an additional 60 days to complete those requirements; city staff recommended granting the extension so the owner could prepare the subdivision plat and meet the ordinance conditions.
Catherine Gray of the planning department and Collins were available to answer council questions. Vice Mayor Maguire and other members expressed support for the development, with Maguire saying she was ‘‘really excited for that project’’ and anticipating the townhomes and mixed-use elements would be transformational for the neighborhood.
Council member Boleson moved the ordinance and Vice Mayor Maguire seconded. The clerk called the roll; Hagen, Sanchez Jones, Vice Mayor Maguire, Nash, Vollison, Powers and Mayor Cobb voted aye and the ordinance was adopted.
City staff said the city manager or designee is authorized to execute the deed of vacation and to work with the owner to complete the required subdivision and recordation steps. The 60-day extension gives the owner additional time to prepare and record a subdivision plat so the development may proceed.
