Everyone in Roanoke knows Fire Station No. 7. Near the edge of Grandin Village, right by the historic Memorial Bridge, it has been a symbol of public service and community for nearly 100 years.

Unfortunately, city leaders are ready to take a wrecking ball to it. After a cursory review, they plan to demolish this historic landmark and replace it. Alternates weren’t seriously considered, even though area preservationists and at least one engineer offered other ideas—like adding to the existing building or placing a new station elsewhere. 

City Council ignored calls to explore these options, even when they came from The Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation and one of their own, Councilman John Garland. Now it’s your turn. 

This fire station doesn’t belong to any elected official. It belongs to citizens like you. Do you value the charm of Grandin Village, a neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places? Do you wish we’d done more to protect other classic buildings like downtown’s American Theater? Do you think this little fire station deserves a fighting chance?

If so, please sign and share this petition. It asks Roanoke City Council to be more creative, to develop at least two alternates to destroying Fire Station No. 7 and then let the community weigh the options.

And please move fast. Just weeks after announcing its plans to demolish this landmark, the city has already hired an architect. Once a design is in place, it will be much harder to persuade leaders to protect this beloved station. Act today! 

(Special thanks to Ronnie Lee Bailey for providing the above photograph.)