A new community forum in Roanoke is challenging the City's plan to take Williamson Road from four to two lanes.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Williamson Road Area Business Association (WRABA) wants to expand its services in Roanoke. The goal is to spruce up the area and help out local businesses even more. On Monday, Executive Director Valerie Brown presented a proposal to the Roanoke City Council that would expand the Special Service District (SSD) to include more businesses near the Berglund Center, like Magic City Ford. Expanding the SSD would also allow WRABA to receive more funding from the city, which in turn, would allow WRABA to build sidewalks, add lighting and improve storefronts. If the city agrees, the move would double WRABA’s revenue to about $225,000 a year.

The Williamson Road Area Business Association will discuss expanding its Special Service District with Roanoke City Council. The expansion area would extend to the Berglund Center, along Hershberger Road to 581 and to Airport Road and Towne Square businesses. The Altavista Planning Commission will receive public comment today on the Source Water Protection Plan. On-street parking was eliminated in the 800 block of Main Street and 10th Street between Main and Church Streets for the Main Street Renewal Project, but is now return as construction is nearly complete. Free two-hour parking is still available on the top level of the Midtown Parking Deck.

ROANOKE, Va. – Grab your passport because Saturday kicks off an exciting week along Roanoke’s Williamson Road. From Nov. 14 to Nov. 21, eat (either dine-in or takeout) at one of 15 participating restaurants and you could win either a $100 gift certificate or a $500 airline travel voucher. One person will win a $500 airline travel gift voucher, courtesy of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport. You can put your business card in the container each time you visit a participating restaurant. At the end of the week, one card will be drawn from all those collected and the winner will be notified by phone/email.

The Williamson Road Area Business Association will hold a pop-up Community Drive-in tonight. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk. Feeding Southwest Virginia and Convoy of Hope are teaming up to make sure people in the Highlands have the food they need. Feeding Southwest Virginia will provide fresh produce. Feeding America designated Clifton Forge a high need area, which allows Feeding Southwest to use the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to help out.

The Williamson Road Area Business Association is presenting pop-up drive-in movies starting Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22. If you need help with the Public File, call 540-512-1554.