A New Path for Countryside.

Roanoke City Council has been wrestling with the fate of Countryside Golf course for many years. The property was purchased prior to my term on Council with an original plan to turn the land into an upscale housing development. Council stuck with this plan and tried to get numerous developers to consider the project. This was despite understandable pleas against the project from numerous citizens and certainly the Countryside Neighborhood. Over time, it became clear that a housing project and even a commercial development was not feasible, especially with the downturning economy.  While hindsight would have perhaps offered perspective on the decision to purchase the property in the first place — we all know Monday morning quarterbacking….

At this point, it seemed to me, the best option for the city — in the short term — was to maintain it as a golf course. By doing so, and by making some improvements to the infrastructure, we would have a five-year period to evaluate whether a municipal golf course could indeed be financially successful and a quality of life asset for our citizens — of all ages. I was part of a slim majority that voted to move in this direction. Requests for proposals were released to see what type of longer term management (five years) options would be available: how much would it cost the city yearly…or better yet what sort of revenue could we expect and how much capital improvement would be needed on the course to give it the best chance of success.

We are now at another, perhaps unexpected crossroads in the Countryside saga. There were very few responses to the RFP process and after months of negotiating, it appears there is no way the city can justify the financial support necessary to keep it a golf course — and with careful consideration the negotiated management options are simply not favorable over both the short term and longterm. This became especially clear in light of the city needing to table the vast majority of capital projects. Delaying countryside improvements- which were difficult to digest all along considering that it might only be a golf course for five years- made it almost impossible to negotiate a management contract that wasn’t too costly to the city.

This has been a difficult issue for Council — especially considering the emotional attachment to — and heartache about — the project.  Council truly wants to be open with citizens about why and how we got to this point. Both sides of this issue- land development and continuing as a golf course- were vigorously tried and ultimately failed. The time has come for the city as a whole to think about the future possibilities of this beautiful stretch of land — perhaps more greenways; an athletic complex attached to the greenway system; a wetlands preserve; selling of certain parcels for commercial development and certain other parcels for residential. A universally beneficial solution can come out of this. Current neighbors can still have vast stretches of greenspace that may enhance their properties even more than a golf course. The city can obtain more park space and badly needed athletic space. The greenway system can be enhanced. Perhaps some revenue can be brought back into city coffers by selling some tracts of the land.

I am sure there are many other options as well- so let me hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Dave