Vivan Sanchez-Jones - 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 support the City working with the National Park Service to explore bringing overnight camping back to Roanoke Mountain.

I think we have an opportunity to take something that has been part of Roanoke's history and give it a new life. Having overnight camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway could bring more visitors to our community and benefit our local businesses.

But I also believe in being responsible with taxpayers' money. Before the City makes a financial commitment, I would want to know what improvements are needed, what the costs would be, who would be responsible for maintenance, and whether we can bring in federal, state, nonprofit or private partners.

I am willing to explore the opportunity, but I want us to do it the right way and make sure we have a sustainable plan.

Greenway Completion and Maintenance: Would you support completing and maintaining the Roanoke River Greenway from Green Hill Park to Explore Park?

Yes, I support continuing to work toward completing the Roanoke River Greenway and the larger connection from Green Hill Park to Explore Park.

I have always believed that our parks, trails and outdoor spaces are an important part of what makes Roanoke a great place to live. They give families places to spend time together, provide opportunities to stay active, and connect our neighborhoods.

But I also believe that we have a responsibility to take care of what we already have. We shouldn't build something and then struggle to maintain it.

As we add new sections, I want maintenance to be part of the conversation from day one. I would also continue working with our neighboring localities and regional partners because completing this connection will require cooperation beyond the City's boundaries.

Budget Prioritization: Would you establish consistent annual funding for greenway expansion, maintenance, and improvements?

I support investing in greenways, but I also understand that the City's budget is not unlimited. We have important needs competing for those same dollars—public safety, streets, stormwater, schools, facilities and other services our residents depend on.

My approach is to look at the entire picture. What will the project cost? How many people will benefit? Can we get grants? Can we partner with another locality or organization? And what will it cost to maintain it five, ten or twenty years from now?

I am open to having a consistent annual investment in greenways because it allows us to plan instead of waiting until we have a crisis or a grant opportunity.

But I don't believe we should commit to a number simply because it sounds good. I want to make sure the investment fits our overall financial responsibilities.

Economic and Community Benefits: How would the economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits of outdoor infrastructure influence your investment decisions?

I have seen firsthand how much community assets matter to Roanoke. Our outdoor spaces are not just places to exercise; they are places where people meet; families spend time together, and visitors experience our community.

Greenways can help connect neighborhoods, parks, and businesses. Visitors who come here to hike, bike, or enjoy the outdoors also spend money at our restaurants, hotels, shops, and other businesses.

Bringing overnight camping back to Roanoke Mountain could give visitors another reason to stay in Roanoke instead of simply passing through. It could build on the tremendous outdoor recreation assets we already have.

When I consider these investments, I look at both sides of the equation. What will it cost us, and what will it bring back to our community? I believe we should invest when the long-term benefits justify the cost and when we have a responsible plan to maintain the investment.

Community Engagement: How would you ensure meaningful public input and transparency when expanding the greenway and reopening the campground?

One thing I have learned from serving on City Council is that you cannot make good decisions by sitting in City Hall and assuming you know what everyone wants. I want residents to have a voice early in the process.

For greenway projects, that means talking with neighborhoods, environmental organizations, trail users, businesses, and residents who may be directly affected. For Roanoke Mountain, I would want to hear from the surrounding community, outdoor recreation groups and others before deciding what a reopening should look like.

I also believe that transparency matters. People should know what we are proposing, what it will cost, where the money is coming from, and what the long-term responsibilities will be.

Not everyone will agree on every project—and that's okay. My responsibility is to listen, ask questions, and make decisions based on what is best for the community.

Regional Cooperation and Funding: Would you increase Roanoke’s recreation funding from 2% to 3% and partner regionally to improve outdoor infrastructure?

I believe Roanoke benefits when we work together as a region. Our residents don't stop at the City line, and neither do our outdoor recreation opportunities.

I will continue working with Roanoke County, Salem, state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and private partners to find ways to bring additional resources into our community. I especially want us to pursue grants and partnerships that allow us to leverage City dollars rather than relying entirely on local taxpayers. That is why I support Councilman Peter Volosin's initiative to repurpose the VRFA and create a regional body focused on funding, maintaining, and developing new outdoor recreational assets. I believe this regional approach can help us create high quality facilities that attract visitors, support tourism, and benefit residents throughout the region.

I am open to increasing the City's recreation investment from 2% to 3%, but I would want to understand the financial impact and have a clear plan for how those additional dollars would be used.

I am a strong believer in investing in our community, but I am also a strong believer in fiscal responsibility. We have to balance what we want to accomplish with what we can responsibly afford.

For me, the goal is simple: invest in the things that make Roanoke stronger, take advantage of every outside funding opportunity we can, maintain what we build, and always be good stewards of the taxpayers' money.