With the demolition of 1026 Roanoke Avenue now completed, there remains grading to be done before undertaking an urban green space project.

Roanoke Rapids Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle said today the city was able to stabilize the front facade of the building, home to the former Roanoke Restaurant.

Being able to keep the facade, Caudle said, “Is very important. Keeping it maintains the integrity of the whole block and project. It was also a public safety issue.”

The grading project will address water drainage and there are some other maintenance projects to do on the property.

Caudle said planning for using area as a green space will begin in 2016. “There's nothing on paper. That will be a project starting early next year.”

Ideas for the space include outdoor dining, art crawls, concerts and markets.