Welcome > Community Impact > Institutional Partnerships > Tenant Interests & Activation

The Greenway Habitat Project is designed as a collaborative public-private wellness and economic development initiative that encourages participation from healthcare systems, educational institutions, public agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley.

Rather than operating as a standalone commercial development, the project is envisioned as a regional partnership ecosystem where institutions can contribute to long-term improvements surrounding wellness, education, recreation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, public safety, and community engagement.

The following organizations represent examples of potential institutional alignment opportunities based on the broader vision and goals of the project.

Carilion Clinic Proposal

Due to the project’s direct proximity to Roanoke’s medical corridor and strong emphasis on preventative healthcare, wellness outreach, nutrition education, recreation, and community health, Carilion represents one of the most naturally aligned institutional partnerships connected to the Greenway Habitat vision.

Potential collaboration opportunities may include:

• Rooftop wellness and urban garden sponsorships

• Teaching kitchen and nutrition programming

• Community health outreach initiatives

• Outdoor wellness classes and fitness programming

• Wellness lecture halls and educational spaces

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation programming

• Preventative healthcare initiatives

• Event sponsorship and activation

• Community wellness campaigns

The proposed “Carilion Rooftop Sanctuary” and “Carilion Greenway Event Hall & Teaching Kitchen” represent examples of potential partnership opportunities that align both community benefit and institutional outreach goals.

The broader long-term vision is to help position the corridor as a nationally recognizable wellness and preventative healthcare district centered around public engagement and healthier living.

Appalachian Power (AEP) Proposal

The Greenway Habitat places major emphasis on sustainability infrastructure, renewable energy integration, energy efficiency, and environmentally conscious redevelopment.

Potential partnership areas may include:

• Solar infrastructure development

• Renewable energy sponsorships

• Sustainability demonstration systems

• Energy management technologies

• Electric mobility infrastructure

• Green infrastructure initiatives

• Utility system modernization

• Environmental outreach programming

The project could potentially serve as a regional showcase for sustainability-focused redevelopment and green infrastructure innovation throughout Southwest Virginia.

Radford Proposal

As Radford University continues expanding its presence throughout the Roanoke Valley, the Greenway Habitat creates opportunities for educational outreach, wellness programming, entrepreneurship development, and workforce engagement.

Potential collaboration opportunities include:

• Wellness and nutrition education programs

• Public lecture series

• Entrepreneurship and startup incubation

• Workforce development initiatives

• Community health outreach

• Student engagement and internship programs

• Wellness business training

• Public educational workshops

• Health sciences and recreation programming

The project aims to create stronger connections between public wellness infrastructure and educational accessibility throughout the region.

Virginia Tech Proposal

Given Virginia Tech’s regional leadership in innovation, architecture, engineering, sustainability, healthcare research, and economic development, the Greenway Habitat may create future opportunities for institutional collaboration surrounding:

• Urban planning and redevelopment research

• Sustainability initiatives

• Green infrastructure systems

• Public health innovation

• Smart mobility and transportation planning

• Entrepreneurship and innovation labs

• Workforce and research partnerships

• Recreation and exercise science initiatives

The project’s mixed-use civic development structure creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple sectors.

Virginia Western Proposal

Virginia Western’s strong connection to workforce training and community education creates opportunities surrounding:

• Workforce certification programs

• Public skills training

• Culinary and nutrition education

• Entrepreneurship programs

• Sustainability and trades education

• Wellness and fitness instruction

• Community-access educational programming

The Habitat aims to support broader workforce development efforts tied directly to economic opportunity and public wellness.

Roanoke Police Department Proposal

A major pillar of our Forward Initiative focuses on safer, more active, and community-centered public environments.

Potential partnership opportunities may include:

• Community policing initiatives

• Bike patrol expansion

• Public safety outreach programs

• Youth engagement events

• Public wellness and recreation events

• Safety education programming

• Greenway activation support

• Community relationship-building initiatives

The proposal emphasizes preventative community engagement, stronger visibility within public spaces, and healthier interactions between residents and civic institutions.

City of Roanoke & Roanoke County Proposal

The Greenway Habitat aligns with several long-term regional priorities connected to:

• economic development

• public health

• outdoor recreation

• sustainability

• tourism

• transportation

• infrastructure modernization

• entrepreneurship

• and corridor revitalization.

Potential areas of collaboration may include:

• Infrastructure support

• Greenway expansion

• Transportation planning

• Public wellness initiatives

• Economic development coordination

• Grant collaboration

• Flood mitigation assistance

• Tourism and placemaking efforts

• Public market activation

• Community engagement programming

The project is intended to complement existing city and county development goals while encouraging broader regional collaboration.

Roanoke Public Libraries Proposal

Libraries play an increasingly important role as accessible public education and community resource centers.

Potential partnership opportunities may include:

• Public workshops and classes

• Digital literacy programming

• Health and wellness education

• Community outreach initiatives

• Entrepreneurship resources

• Youth educational programming

• Public lecture and event collaboration

• Civic engagement discussions

The proposal strongly supports accessible public education and lifelong learning opportunities throughout the region.

The Greenway Habitat is designed to encourage broad collaboration with:

• local nonprofits

• churches

• wellness organizations

• outdoor recreation groups

• youth programs

• recovery organizations

• food access initiatives

• housing outreach groups

• and community advocacy organizations.

Potential partnership goals include:

• Wellness outreach

• Mental health support

• Addiction recovery resources

• Community nutrition programs

• Job readiness initiatives

• Public recreation access

• Youth mentorship

• Community gardens and food systems

• Unhoused outreach and daytime support services

The broader vision emphasizes community-centered collaboration rather than isolated institutional development.

At its core, the Greenway Habitat and Forward Initiative are designed to create an ongoing public conversation about the future of the Roanoke Valley.

The initiative encourages collaboration between:

• residents

• institutions

• businesses

• educators

• healthcare providers

• civic leadership

• nonprofits

• and public agencies.

The long-term goal is to create a healthier, safer, greener, and more economically resilient region through coordinated investment, public engagement, and shared community vision.

The project is ultimately intended to function as both:

• a physical destination for wellness, education, recreation, and entrepreneurship

• and a larger civic platform focused on long-term regional transformation and quality-of-life improvements throughout Southwest Virginia.