The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1953-09-26
Resolutions Condemning City Dump
Presented Officials Sometime 400

1he touoaoang resolutions aOere presented Roanoke
Csy oJc'ots aoout taoo gears ago. requesting abolition
OF the c'ty dump 'ohich to be health haxard
and a useless expense to the cita-
We, as citizens of Roanoke and as representatives
OF the Colored Citizens Committee of the Chamber of
Commerce. have become quite disturbed about the way
the City OF Roanoke is dumping inflammable rubbish
and raw garbage in the abandoned quarry bordering
Washington Park.
We well aware of the desrabilitv Of fl,;no tho
abandoned quarry since it represents danger area
for our children and for adults at night but we
cannot object to srenuously the method being used
by the city at present to achieve this aim
Our objections stem from the fact that the Dump
ing as it is now being done creates:
Ia very definite Health Hazard
2. A fire hazard we'll as defeating the purpose
OF our Smoke Ordinance (eghten or more fires in
1851 fire yesterday which except for fortunate
prevailing wind would have undoubtedly endangered
nearby structures)
3. A nuisance in the form of breeding place for
tys mosquitoes, rats etc., constant obnoxious odors
unsightly appearance, dust raised by trucks smoke
and noise.
q. Location: (a.) Within three quarters of a mile
from the center of town. (b.) Within one city block
Oh the new million dollar Lucy Addison High School,
(c) Bordering Washington Park-the only recrea
tlonal area for Roanokes Negro citizens Cd Border
ing twenty of desirable home sites for Negro
ctlzensthe only such within the city limits of
Roanoke open to Negro citizens (e) In close prox-
unity to the present Lucy Addison High School and
the new million dollar Housing Project for Negroes.
We appreciate the audience you have given us this
afternoon and anticipate the telling among you that
perhaps we are presenting this to the wrong group
OF public officials On the contrary, however, we are
&C InfQr0 fod sxo fl,o
OF the Star of Magic City any group of citizens could
possibly be and feel that study and recommendations
coming from this body for the development of the eea
IN question are very much in order very badly needed
and would bear considerable weight in alternating the
unwhoesome condition that now exists
While our experience in progressive city planning
is naturally extremely limited readily see the need
Tor more thru streets north of Orange Avenue between
First Street N W. and Tenth Street N W. Fifth Street
running by the high school certainly seems the
ogca street to extend northward to join the street
skrtlng the Western boundary of the new housing de-
veopment This would give more direct access to the
washington Park swimming pool ball park tennis
courts etc Tor those citizens living west of Fifth street
In Northwest and Southwest
Clearing OF the trees and underbrush from the slope
between the Northern boundary of the dump area and
the swimming pool would add greatly to the usable
park area as well furnish additional material for fill
ing the quarry hole and add in general Identification
of the area
The plateau on the Northern side of the quarry hole
is about ten to twelve feet higher than similar plaeau
on the Southern side and measures about rs by 800
tee rms represents about 100000 cubic feet of dirt
that Could be bull dozed into the Western end of the
quarry hole making solid fill for the extensive of fifth
street and still leave about onehaf of the quarry hole
which could be used for non-infamnnabe rubbish nro
vded was filled from the bottom Gas any DUMP shod
DE tlled) and no dumped promiscousy from he Cd of
he crates. -
In closing this presentation we wish to earnestly
eisC your AID In any way fit to assist in re-
moving This blot from city's progressive growth
DIR. L. G. DOWNING,
DIR. F. W. CLAYTON
DIR. L. E. PATTON