Northwest Roanoke residents and activists said the city should acquire the 150-acre woodlands and turn it into a public park.

Council's legislative priorities last year prompted some resident pushback after the city urged lawmakers to revisit criminal justice reforms.

Big box and medium-sized retail stores would also be crucial to making any development economically worthwhile, consultants say.

The additional time may also play in favor of efforts to salvage the park’s caretaker’s cottage.

When the lease ended, the city had sought proposals for the former fire station, which is in need of significant repairs.

The city intends to pay to cross railroad tracks on which rail enthusiasts hope to run a tourist-attracting excursion train.