Raekwon Moore - Roanoke City Council Candidate
Campground Reopening: Are you committed to working with the National Park Service to reopen the Roanoke Mountain Campground for overnight access?
Yes, I would love to see overnight camping brought back to Roanoke. While I would love to commit to having the city support it, with the current budget issues I would be very open to outside partnerships if available. I am deeply committed to encouraging growth and economic development so that the city can do more in the future to support this!
Greenway Completion and Maintenance: Would you support completing and maintaining the Roanoke River Greenway from Green Hill Park to Explore Park?
I would love to see a finished greenway. I think immediately the city has to focus on ensuring we are doing our part in maintaining and if possible improving the city owned parts of the greenway to make it nicer and safer. As far as overall maintenance for parts even outside of the city’s limits I would like to see if there are possible school, college, non profit, or community groups who are already dedicated to environmental maintenance who would be open to helping with this.
Budget Prioritization: Would you establish consistent annual funding for greenway expansion, maintenance, and improvements?
Speaking honestly my immediate focus is improving the city’s financial situation as much as possible. Long term I think establishing a consistent funding standing makes sense, but I don’t want to over promise that it is something I can commit to right now.
Economic and Community Benefits: How would the economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits of outdoor infrastructure influence your investment decisions?
I believe it opens us up to being a potential destination for talent from Appalachia. There are people who love a thriving downtown, but also love the outdoors and I think this gives us the opportunity to offer both! I also think it could create the possibility for more outdoor centered events in the Roanoke Valley! Even if people chose to sleep at the campground more than likely people will still need to purchase food and camping equipment for the event and gas to drive home. Increasing revenue via sales tax.
Community Engagement: How would you ensure meaningful public input and transparency when expanding the greenway and reopening the campground?
I hope to meet with them and have a continuous open dialogue about the concerns that they are facing as well as attend any events they plan. I hope to collaborate with them on a public/private partnership to improve the camp ground and restore it to usability.
Regional Cooperation and Funding: Would you increase Roanoke’s recreation funding from 2% to 3% and partner regionally to improve outdoor infrastructure?
I feel that there is a strong value is working together regionally to ensure both the greenway and the Roanoke Mountain Campground are a success. I would like to see a strong effort in pursuit of state and federal grants to ensure increased funding of the project. While I am unable to commit immediately to the idea of a percentage increase to 3% at this time I am not against reevaluating this in the future as the city grows economically.