If you have driven along Brandon Avenue recently, in the vicinity of Towers Shopping Mall, you probably couldn’t help but notice a rather rough section of road that’s been under construction. I suppose it’s all part of the effort that has also led to a new sidewalk on the shopping center side of the road.

Just about a week ago back in late April I snapped this photo:

Construction on Brandon Avenue (4/26/08)

And by the following weekend, construction workers had already smoothed over the stretch of road with new pavement and fresh paint.

Construction on Brandon Avenue (5/4/08)

So, why is construction underway in this area to begin with?

Well, according to information at the VDOT website, it’s part of a larger project designed to lessen traffic congestion in the entire area. And specifically to help lessen the back-up of traffic that occurs on Route 220/I-581 at the Colonial Avenue exit during peak times of the day.

Though the heaviest congestion only seems to last for about an hour or so, it can be frustrating (and dangerous) having to line up partly in the shoulder of the highway before the exit. If you travel this way home from work you know what I’m talking about.

There aren’t going to be any new roadways constructed, just slight widening or reconfiguring of existing roads as part of a plan outlined by VDOT.

First of note is the construction on Brandon Avenue which has provided a left turn lane onto 23rd Street (the popular shortcut road that essentially runs through Towers Shopping Mall).

And, coming up according to VDOT, a new traffic light signal will be installed at this intersection of Brandon Avenue and 23rd Street. Then, work will commence at the above section of Colonial Avenue as the overall project is expected to continue throughout the next 6 months.

I’m adding this project to the Update 30, which means I’ll follow its progress and provide updates once each calendar month until complete

Before the month of April comes to an end, I’m scheduled to give an update on the construction at Keagy Village.  And, thanks to information provided by a reader in regards to the previous update, we know what the rather large construction operation taking place a bit further down Keagy Road is all about.

First, a little bit on Keagy Village.

A curb running parallel to, and several feet offset from, Keagy Road has been set up. So, I suppose the future turning lane into the new shopping center is being established.

Construction at Keagy Village (4/27/08)

And it looks like there’s going to be at least two primary entrances/exits: one just at the top of the hill after turning from the traffic light on Route 419, and the other slightly further down, closer to and across from the intersection with Sugar Loaf Mountain Road.

I believe a store or two may have been confirmed recently in the news, but as of yet no store signs have been raised to mention.  All-in-all the entire project seems to be moving slow, or perhaps slower than optimal.

A little more intriguing is the extensive construction taking place further down Keagy Road, beyond the new shopping center. A reader commented previously and shed light on what’s exactly going on at this spot.

New Townhome Community Under Construction (4/27/08)

It’s called The Townes at Hidden Valley.

A new community of townhomes are being put up, and this is appearing to be a fairly large community at that. Upwards of around three dozen townhome buildings are slated for construction, according to a site plan at a development website.

The first of these townhomes is already moving right along, and I think it’s being built near the future entrance to the community.

The Townes at Hidden Valley (4/27/08)

I wonder how many more townhomes may be built by next month?

We’ll find out when I update again in May, and continue to update each calendar month until completion.

(EDIT (5/27/08): This project has been updated, click to view.)

When it comes to larger or more extensive ongoing construction projects in Roanoke, they’re added to what I call the Update 30. Then you can expect Noke News to provide a status update on the development at least once each calendar month.

Madison Field Housing Community (4/19/08)

Now it’s time to briefly update a new housing subdivision under construction at the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Overland Drive.

It’s Madison Field and it’s being called “A Community For Every Generation” by a sign on the property.

The entire project is placing emphasis on homes which boast some of the best options available in energy efficiency.

First Home at Madison Field Listed for Sale (4/19/08)

In a previous post about Madison Field I wrote that the first house was nearing completion, and now it appears this home is officially on the market and looking for it’s first family.

The price, $399,900.

There are several more homes to be built in this area, but for now this lone completed one is only accompanied by some other dirt foundations.

Other Sites for Future Homes at Madison Field (4/19/08)

It seems to appear as though further construction is at a temporary halt until this first home is sold.

More updates next month, or as they are seen.

(EDIT: This construction project has been updated, click to view.)

A little over a month ago, I wrote about the ongoing construction of a new housing subdivision along Grandin Road Ext named Maple Leaf Farms. As part of the Update 30, it’s time to check out the progress on this project.

According to a sign at the construction site (info also found at a realtor’s website) the homes are being called “Architectural Designs In The Tradition Of South Roanoke” and overall there are approximately 25 open lots available.

View of Maple Leaf Farms, Grandin Road Ext in Foreground (4/12/08)

One house is nearing completion and now the foundation for a second is also present. The first house that’s already taken shape is directly off Grandin Road Ext, and on the immediate right along the new, unpaved Maple Leaf Drive.

A large cul-de-sac (seen to the left in the above photo) is part of what is to be Maple Leaf Court. A house listed online appears to be the second home being built at the entire site and the first on this road, stated as 4401 Maple Leaf Court and carrying a price tag of $699,000. For now, the listing is only a drawing of what the house is expected to resemble.

Maple Leaf Farms as Seen Traveling Along Grandin Road Ext (4/12/08)

There is also a second gravel road at the end of, and forming the top of a “T” with, Maple Leaf Drive. This new road will be called Greenlace Circle and upon completion will offer no outlets or connections with existing roads on either end.

This development will continue to be on the Update 30 list. This means I’ll be posting updates at least monthly, or as often as necessary to keep up with notable changes I see.

(EDIT: This construction project has been updated, click to view. )

A few weeks ago, after posting about a new restaurant in the area, I noticed that construction was underway across the street in the northwest section of the Towers Shopping Center property. Currently, starting at the intersection with 23rd Street and in-between the exposed dirt on the side of Brandon Avenue, the formation of a sidewalk is taking place.

Construction Near Towers Shopping Center. Brandon Avenue to the Left and 23rd Street in the Foreground. (4/9/08)

As it turns out, this short section of road is perhaps being widened slightly to provide travelers with more shoulder room.

Sidewalk Under Construction on Brandon Avenue (4/9/08)

A sidewalk is currently under construction and will also run parallel to this stretch of road.

The walkway appears to end near the top of the hill, just before the first opening that allows drivers access to the shopping center.

This sidewalk partly borders a roughly paved corner lot that has been vacant for years, except for seasonal occupants such as those selling Christmas Trees in December.  Is a permanent business preparing to take up residence at this spot?

Current Ending of the Sidewalk (4/9/08)

At the bottom of the hill the sidewalk curves slightly towards the direction traveling along 23rd Street, then stops abruptly.

No construction is currently ongoing to suggest that the walk will continue all the way up 23rd Street, and connect with the Towers Shopping Center parking lot.

But, I drive this road frequently and will pass along notable updates as they are seen.  Hooray for sidewalks!

Staples left.

Then, the A & N store closed.

Now, with Texas Steakhouse & Saloon still there, a local shopping center is being revamped with a facelift and updated sign in the parking lot.

Construction at Madison Square Shopping Center Along Electric Road (3/23/08)

It’s all happening at Madison Square Shopping Center on Electric Road around the 4100 block (across the street from the Shell Gas Station).

Staples ended up moving to Tanglewood Mall (which I think is slightly less convenient), but I believe the A & N store just closed altogether. This relatively small shopping center has been there as long as I can remember. The Madison Square sign in the parking lot, which displays store names, is currently blank but has a max of 4 spaces available. And hopefully it will acquire some adequate tenants and be back in full business in the near future.

Construction Sign at Front of Madison Square Shopping Center (3/23/08)

For the moment there are only those construction/real estate signs in the front facing Electric Road, but I’ll keep an eye on it and post with new information a little later.

This past weekend I set out to obtain some new information and pictures of the Keagy Village project. It’s still too early yet to see signs of future stores, and it seems any information of what stores are confirmed is pretty much a mystery.

Last I heard an anchor grocery store had not yet been confirmed for the project, and it seems there are ample locations of Food Lions and Krogers already in the area. Perhaps another The Fresh Market? Or a completely new chain such as Publix or Whole Foods Market?

Here are some pictures that are an update from a previous post.

Ongoing Construction at Keagy Village. Keagy Road in Foreground. (3/23/08)

Ongoing Construction at Keagy Village (3/23/08)

However, a short distance further down Keagy Road on the same side of the road (just beyond and across from the intersection with Sugar Loaf Mountain Road) a vast clearing of land is underway. According to a site plan from the Kahn Development website this area of land was not to be part of the new Keagy Village.

Land Clearing and Construction Along Keagy Road (3/23/08)

So, what’s going on there?

I suppose that’s also currently a mystery but maybe a new housing subdivision or some other sort of rental property? Only time will tell.

This project will continue to be on the Update 30 until complete, which means I’ll be posting updates each calendar month (or more often) to keep up with notable changes.

(Edit: This project has been updated for the following month.)

I was out at the DMV in Crossroads Mall this past weekend to renew my license plate registration, and I noticed a large banner draped across an adjacent building.

New Gold's Gym Location near Crossroads Mall (3/16/08)

Larger View of Gold's Gym Banner (3/16/08)

Gold’s Gym is going to open its second location in Roanoke. (The other is at 3270 Electric Road, on the hill behind Ruby Tuesdays.)

This particular trip to the DMV also led to a new series of posts, aptly titled Noke Annoyances.