Conflict over Formation
I-581's construction was not without conflict. Clearing a path for a new thoroughfare meant that homes, schools, businesses, parks, and churches were razed and forced to relocate. The city council housed most formal conflicts, but there are also examples of citizens and businesses who were opposed to their forced relocations.
To begin, the City Rescue Mission’s relocation was riddled with conflict and uncertainty. The Mission, after planning for years to relocate, finally decided on a location and broke ground on October 4, 1961. However, just days after, the staff were informed that this location was on the proposed I-581 pathway. Debates broke out in the city council surrounding the role of the council in finding a new property and paying relocation costs. While council debates were ongoing, the Mission waited, in limbo, for the support of the city council to move forward. Thankfully, the Mission was able to acquire a new lot within a few weeks. The building plans were easily converted to match the new lot which sat adjacent to the original, and the City Rescue Mission began construction.
A Roanoke Times article detailing the City Rescue Mission saga.
Roanoke Times: August 10, 1962
However, conflicts also arose in relating government funding to land zoning. The Roanoke City Council, slated to receive a $542,000 credit for the construction of the Lucy Addison High School, found that their credit was in jeopardy due to I-581's land rezoning. They originally planned to build the school in a residential area, but the land was rezoned as "commercial" due to I-581's construction. This credit would come from the Kennedy Housing Bill, but a proposed amendment to the bill, known as the Robertson Amendment, would allow for the city to receive the credit. Eventually, the bill with the amendment was passed, allowing Roanoke to retain the $542,000 credit.
One of the most conflicted and contentious decisions in I-581's construction had to do with the Elm Street expansion. To explain, while the original construction plans did not include a connection with Elm Street, an expansion was proposed early in the planning. Some councilmen claimed this was a waste of taxpayer’s money, while others argued that the extension would be beneficial long term. After weeks of meetings and debates, the council approved the Elm Street extension. However, the conflict was far from over as other issues related to funding arose and debates continued over both said funding's origin and amount. Eventually though, the council allocated funds toward and included the Elm Street expansion as part of I-581's construction.
1951 Map Showing a Section of Elm Street
(Library of Congress)
I-581's formation saw seemingly simple decisions about funding and the city council's responsibilities transform into complicated and contentious debates. Outside of the council, families and businesses also came into conflict with the city council as they were forced to relocate to make way for I-581.
Next,we'll tell you about some of the costs, both financial and social, that relocation brought Roanokers.
Sources
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), October 5, 1961: 13. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), October 28, 1961: 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), October 17, 1961: 16. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), October 7, 1961: 3. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), June 30, 1961: 11. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), June 10, 1961: 14. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), February 4, 1962: 65. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), August 4, 1961: 34. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia), March 15, 1963: 16. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current.
Page written by Mary Culler
Edited by Jonathan LLoyd