Honoring the Past, Building a Future
Mayor Sandy Roberson will not seek reelection in 2027, and that reality causes me to think about the kind of mayor Rocky Mount will need in the years ahead. The complexity of the city has grown, and what the city now expects from its mayor has changed with it. Rocky Mount operates under a council-manager … Continue reading The Demands of a Modern Mayor – 2027
Another way of holding trips to the gas station among all the balls we have up in the air on Main Street. I hope you will join me in this approach. SFH
I went in the door of the old Belk building the other morning and met three workman continuing to clear out the cavernous space. It is in need of a buyer. I somehow refrained from hugging the guys after they took time to chat and confirmed some research I have been doing on the block. … Continue reading What Do Developers See The First Time They Encounter Downtown Rocky Mount?
We all know that things in Rocky Mount are precarious. We know because past negligence has finally caught up with us and pinned its “tail on the donkey,” which now is affecting both our reputation and our future. We see it in the empty buildings downtown, the projects that fail to move forward, and the … Continue reading Sorting Out Rocky Mount’s Priorities: Main Street and Beyond
“Cities are remembered not only for what they build new, but for what they choose to keep.” SFH These buildings matter. They are a presence in the story of Rocky Mount; not burdens but possibilities. They still possess beauty, dignity, and purpose. These photographs show us that restoration does not begin with money or construction. … Continue reading Three Downtown Buildings: Restored to Their Original Beauty
Main Street Rocky Mount 