Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Opinion Poll - Downtowner Site

This is an exciting time for the River District. As many of you know, a strategy is being executed for the redevelopment of the River District. The Phase I Main Street Streetscape work will start in September and Phase II will take place next calendar year.  Community input has been vital along every step of the way.  Yet to be addressed is the new space being created by the demolition of the former Downtowner Motor Inn, which had been vacant for many years. That's where we need your help.

The Downtown Danville Association, Danville Regional Foundation, Danville Industrial Development Authority and City of Danville are conducting a community opinion poll to engage the community in making plans for the site. We want to hear from you. 

We ask that you please take the time to offer your opinion. This survey should take about 5 minutes and is anonymous.  The link is provided below.  Please forward this link to your contacts, friends and associates.  You can also access the link through the City of Danville website, located on the River District Development Project page.

Thank you for your time and interest in Danville.


David Parrish
Deputy City Manager
City of Danville, Virginia
PO Box 3300
Office (434) 799-5100


Monday, July 23, 2012

River District strategy tops best practices in 17 states

Danville’s success in redeveloping the River District as a place to live, work, shop and play and in involving the community throughout the process has garnered an award for best practices from a regional economic development group that represents 17 southern states.

The city won the award from Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) in competition with other communities with a population of 40,001 to 100,000. Danville’s population is about 43,000.

Click here to access the full media release.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Detour removed for demolition of Downtowner

The detour of Main and Union streets that allowed for demolition of the former Downtowner Motor Inn has been removed, and cleanup of the debris is under way.

Normal traffic patterns were restored Monday morning.

Debris and a rear wall that is left standing are all that remains of the building. Additional engineering is being performed before the wall is removed. In the interim, the crew will shift its focus to cleaning up the site from last week’s demolition.

Demolition of the building started on July 6, with a detour of two blocks of Main Street and the closure of Union Street from Main to Spring streets to allow for the demolition.

Demolition contractor D. H. Griffin Wrecking Co. of Greensboro, N.C., used an excavator that had a 95-foot arm with a muncher attached at the end to crush the building’s concrete.

The company will remain on site until demolition and cleanup are complete.

Friday, July 13, 2012

IDA to Turn Building Into Parking

 
The Industrial Development Authority purchased the former Acree's Warehouse and they intend to turn into a parking garage.
 
Click here to view this WSET report.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Detour extended for demolition of Downtowner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2012

 

Detour extended for demolition of Downtowner A detour of two blocks of Main Street downtown will be extended through Monday, July 16, to allow for the continued demolition of the former Downtowner Motor Inn.

The excessive heat and late afternoon and early evening storms marked by heavy precipitation, wind, thunder and lightning have delayed the demolition crew. More storms are anticipated today and the remainder of the week.

Travel will continue to be restricted to one lane of northbound traffic for motorists traveling along Main Street toward Memorial Drive and Craghead Street. Detour signs route southbound traffic from Main Street onto Market Street and then to Spring Street. Once on Spring Street, motorists are directed to Ridge Street, but Floyd Street remains open.

North Union Street from Main Street to Spring Street is closed.

Normal traffic patterns will be restored when the demolition crew deems the building is down to a safe and manageable level and can proceed with the demolition without an extended buffer.

D. H. Griffin Wrecking Co. of Greensboro, N.C., is the demolition contractor, and it is using an excavator that has a 95-foot arm with a muncher attached at the end. The muncher crushes the building’s concrete.

The city has a web cam set up that allows citizens to view the demolition on the city of Danville website. Go to
www.danville-va.gov, and then click on the Downtowner Demolition link on the left rail. The direct link is http://www.danville-va.gov/index.aspx?nid=1579.