Reginald Shareef at Roanoke. Private developers were encouraged by city officials to purchase land and make investments in high-return ventures. Much of the property the city desired was attained through the legal procedure of eminent domain. Now, fast forward to 1999. The debate is over the future of Henry Street, the remaining economic piece in Roanoke's urban renewal puzzle.
Community leaders have a vision for the former black commercial district.
So do city officials and private developers. Predictably, given the deep distrust of area residents of city administrators, the visions are at odds. In order to change the existing dynamics, the two sides have to develop a shared reality and vision. Community activists want an acknowledgment of past wrong doings by government leaders. Without an apology, the inference can be drawn that the residents deserved to be treated in an unethical manner.