[alabama24]

I cancelled a parking lot last week the day before construction was to begin because we came up with a better idea for the space. I can't wait to announce what it will be but that's another subject.

The chancellor left us hanging

Can't wait to hear the news!

[Sly Fox]

JLFJR is catching on to our site's history of intriguing posts that foster thoughtful discussion. Well done, Sir.

[ATrain]

A civic center at that location would make 29 south of the airport prime for development. Just the railroad track makes it a little interesting.

Agreed...though if Lynchburg would move their Amtrak station there as well, it'd be interesting but an awesome opportunity to for retail/mixed use development. Lynchburg will never move the station, but it is fun to think about the possibilities.

ATrain, LU has offered to pay for a new train station at that site if the railroad will move it. I think Amtrak would probably have twice as many riders from Lynchburg if the station was in a convenient, safe location like the one across from the airport. Unfortunately, certain folks around here think it is more important for the station to be located near downtown Lynchburg than to actually have more people ride the train. ALUmnus, we did build a five lane bridge across the railroad tracks a couple of years back. That, along with the new highway ramps should solve the railroad issue.

I'll write a letter to Lynchburg City Council. Not that it'll do any good, but on the .000001% chance that someone may change their minds on the fact I'll now be riding the bus from Roanoke to catch the train rather than driving and dropping in at Starbucks and other places that are within city limits on my way in/out of the area (meaning, less tax dollars) may do some good. Plus I'm sure more Roanokers would just rather drive if they could find a place to park there.

Also looking forward to your exciting announcement soon, the amount of growth that LU has had over the past few years has been amazing...and I wish I was a student again.

[BJWilliams]

touche my friend shuk...touche

[rogers3]

A civic center at that location would make 29 south of the airport prime for development. Just the railroad track makes it a little interesting.

Agreed...though if Lynchburg would move their Amtrak station there as well, it'd be interesting but an awesome opportunity to for retail/mixed use development. Lynchburg will never move the station, but it is fun to think about the possibilities.

ATrain, LU has offered to pay for a new train station at that site if the railroad will move it. I think Amtrak would probably have twice as many riders from Lynchburg if the station was in a convenient, safe location like the one across from the airport. Unfortunately, certain folks around here think it is more important for the station to be located near downtown Lynchburg than to actually have more people ride the train.

There are plenty of people around here who would bulldoze downtown if they could, as well, but there are plenty of LU students and faculty who seem to spend time downtown and enjoy it. I actually like the downtown station and it will most likely outlast any building built today because of they just don't build buildings like they used to. That being said, if the state develops intra-state rail the way they've talked about it- Bristol to Richmond and DC, with Lynchburg as a hub, they would be best served by a station west of Kinney Yard (close to the Kirkley)because the downtown station is several miles past the wye to Richmond and Amtrak trains such as they are using here are designed to go one way (no control cars on the end). Near the airport seems to be an ideal spot for the service as it is now; I bet the Daly family would love that, as well!

[mlschubert]

If the initial sizing/seating recommendations remain unchanged does it hurt the long-term usefulness to the University? Would it likely be built with future expansion in-mind?