Evan Jones

WFIR-LOGO-1Roanoke building contractors are taking issue with a Richmond developer’s statements that area contractors are now asking  much higher prices than Richmond firms for construction projects in the Star City. They say whatever the specifics might be for renovations at the Shenandoah Building, the statement is not reflective of the overall situation. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

 

Bill Chapman

Bill Chapman

The developer renovating the former Shenandoah building into apartments says he’s mainly using out-of-town contractors because Roanoke ones are much more expensive — a situation, he says, that arose just in the last year and a half. Bill Chapman says even with paying out-of-town workers’ room and board, it is still far less expensive that hiring local contractors. He is the second developer to voice concerns this week about construction costs for a Roanoke project. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Mayor David Bowers

Mayor David Bowers

Roanoke Mayor David Bowers says he still believes a new downtown hotel will be built despite a developer’s statement that construction costs are now too high to proceed as first planned.  Bowers says he would be willing to reconsider Roanoke’s financial investment in the project to build a Hampton Inn atop the city’s downtown Market Garage. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

 

Roanoke-CityWFIR News has learned the proposed downtown Roanoke Hampton Inn project has been delayed — its future now far less certain — the result, say developers, of construction bids way above expectations. Project managers are meeting with architects, engineers, contractors and city officials in hopes of finding a revised way to make the downtown hotel project work. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Amtrak-LogoRoanoke passenger rail advocates say even before local Amtrak service returns, they’ll keep pushing to extend it beyond the Star City. But state rail officials say any further service extension still appears to be many years away. Governor McDonnell led a ceremony Friday that formalized agreements between the state, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern for Roanoke service within three to four years. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

BBB-LogoWe’re entering a busy season for new rentals, especially in and around college communities, prompting a warning from the Better Business Bureau for some of the home rentals appearing on Craig’s List.  Scammers will look for homes for sale, then post the same home as for rent with the scammer’s own contact info.  WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Grandin-Marquee“Elysium” is the latest Hollywood attempt at a summer blockbuster, and as the sci-fi thriller opens today, local movie houses like Roanoke’s Grandin Theatre hope a generally disappointing year can reverse at some point.  Blockbuster revenues help the Grandin underwrite the foreign films and documentaries the theater brings in. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Blue Ridge ParkwayThe Blue Ridge Parkway is taking an unusual step to re-open a popular 20-mile stretch before the fall foliage season arrives. Last month, earth started giving ground where the roadway runs along a hillside in the North Carolina mountains. Crews will build a temporary detour around the trouble spot, permitting its re-opening for the busy September and October months. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Alexis-Murphy

Alexis Murphy

A Radford University Criminal Justice professor says there are clear signs that police suspect foul play in the case of a missing Nelson County teenage girl. 17-year-old Alexis Murphy was last seen Saturday evening  leaving her Nelson County home to go shopping in Lynchburg. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story.

Click here for full FBI information on the search for Alexis Murphy