Friday, Jul. 25, 2008

Oak Street Puts Roanoke on U.S. National Register

By A. Lee Graham

Staff Writer

It’s official. A year after celebrating its nomination, Roanoke has secured its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

"I think it’s absolutely fabulous," said Amy Radford, the city’s marketing director.

The move follows last year’s decision by the Texas Historical Commission to approve the city’s nomination. For years, Roanoke has revered and refurbished its downtown landmarks, most recently by redeveloping Oak Street. As those efforts gain momentum, the national designation seems like icing on the cake.

"Most people thought this already happened a year ago because we promoted it last year," said Radford. "But it was just recorded in Washington [D.C.]."

But what does a place at the national table mean? Just ask Grapevine.

"It means a lot," said Tommy Hardy, an assistant city manager with Grapevine, whose downtown, College Street and Cottonbelt districts — as well as the Palace Theatre — enjoy places on the national register. That means potential tourism dollars for towns otherwise off the national radar. Wine enthusiasts visiting city vineyards or shopping downtown spend money in a city that embraces its heritage while ensuring its future, Grapevine officials say. While Grapevine built its reputation on historic downtown, it embraces the future by attracting some of the area’s leading tenants. Those include the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center as well as Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

Roanoke officials are already anticipating increased tourism dollars and marketing potential from the prestigious listing.

What marketing analysts call "heritage tourism" now claims the biggest chunk of the tourism market in America. And Roanoke banks on its Old West roots — not to mention such establishments as Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, among other local icons in helping it strut its stuff.

"The citizens of Roanoke can be very proud of this accomplishment," said Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, the state agency for historic preservation. The historic Rock Hotel building and the Continental State Bank building are among the structures that helped secure Roanoke’s national designation.

As part of a federal program supporting the nation’s historic resources, the National Register was established under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

Earning a place on the list involves not only historic structures, but also assurances regarding the maintenance and use of those facilities.

"In getting on the National Register, you have to set up guidelines on how the property will be maintained," said Hardy. "We’re very committed to that."

So is Roanoke.

But could rising fuel prices cut into potential tourist dollars?

"That’s something that works both ways," said Radford, hoping North Texans look to their own back yards instead of planning distant vacations.

"We do have so many people in the Metroplex we can benefit from, people who will take shorter trips. So hopefully, that will balance it out somewhat."