Thank you to March meeting guest speaker Davey Stewards, owner of Star City Compost, for introducing us to community composting. We're excited for SoRo residents to learn about and consider this opportunity "to think globally and act locally." Davey invites us to join in on May 5th to celebrate the opening of Roanoke's first Community Compost Facility. The Break Down is a day of family fun, new friends, compost, and learning during this full day of Music, Learning Courses, and Family Activities.
Also in attendance at our March meeting was Katie Morgan, volunteer coordinator with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Virginia, expressed the importance of community involvement. RMH offers lodging and food to families of pediatric patients who live outside of Roanoke. Residents can volunteer in many areas to help these families. Please visit: https://www.rmhc-swva.org/get-involved/volunteer/ for a complete list of how to get involved.
Upcoming SoRo events and dates:
Neighborhood Chess Nights at CSG are a hit! 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month at Crystal Spring Grocery from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Players of all levels are enjoying the opportunity to play, learn, and socialize. All are welcome!
Neighborhood-wide Yard Sale Day: Everything is set for Saturday, May 11th. See all the details here. Consider donating a portion or your proceeds to Neighbors in South Roanoke, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization!
Request a Tree: Our SoRo Tree Planting Events are official. Our first planting will take place on Saturday, Sept 14. Now we need your tree requests! Learn more and request trees here: SoRo Tree Planting Events. Don't need a tree but want to take part? Please email info@SoRoNeighbors.org to get involved. Volunteers make everything more fun and run more smoothly.
Neighborhood meeting dates for 2024: May 21, September 17, with final 2024 meeting date TBD. View our calendar here.
Important Update from the City of Roanoke:
Following the accident and heartbreaking death of Brayden Luke Dehaven on March 21, per Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell (March 27, 2024): Roanoke City staff concluded its initial assessment of Avenham Avenue. The following actions are planned to further enhance the safety of the street:
Four-way stop signs will be installed at Avenham and 26th and Avenham and 27th (the two routes that connect Avenham to Crystal Spring Elementary – anticipated completion by April 22. Crosswalks will be striped/re-striped at Avenham and 26th and Avenham and 27th with associated signage installed – anticipated completion by April 22. Current accessible ramps will be replaced as necessary to ensure ADA compliance – anticipated completion by Autumn 2024. Staff is working with AEP to accelerate the replacement of the current streetlights at these two intersections with two brighter LED fixtures. Avenham Avenue is intended to be repaved in the next 4-5 years. This schedule will be accelerated so paving occurs in 2025, at which time additional crosswalks and associated signage along the route will be assessed and installed. Transportation will work with RPD to continue to monitor the traveling conditions on Avenham to determine if any further treatments prove necessary. Should additional assessments or treatments be sought by the residents in the area, they will be processed as normal and will be subject to all engineering standards and guidance.
(The Board of Neighbors in South Roanoke encourages everyone to stay engaged. Please consider communicating your ideas for increased public safety DIRECTLY with the persons and departments with the power and authority to implement them. Contact the City Manager at bob.cowell@roanokeva.gov and the Office of Community Engagement CommunityEngagement@roanokeva.gov to ensure the proper personnel and departments receive your input.
SoRo Solutions: Please use our online form to submit your “clearings and celebrations” prior to meetings. Submissions can also be made in writing prior to the start of each meeting. SoRo Solutions is intended to keep our meetings well organized and to document and record neighbor input.
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 21, 7:00pm. Watch your email for further details.