History

Since the 1740s, the city of Roanoke has been hard at work developing its reputation as a place that makes things happen. Virginia’s 10th largest city began as a bustling railroad town of 5,000, but has since grown into a city with many unique offerings and endless opportunities for its residents and visitors. Although the city has changed throughout the years, it still hosts many familiar things such as the Roanoke City Farmer’s Market that began in the late 1800s and its many eclectic downtown festivals that have vastly grown in popularity throughout the years. Many will tell you that each trip to downtown Roanoke is filled with new and exciting things to peak your interest and is a “must do” part of any trip to the area.

Since 1960, Downtown Roanoke Incorporated (DRI) has been hard at work helping the city continue to progress and grow as a thriving center for industry, education, arts and culture, and recreation. DRI is a private sector, not-for-profit downtown development organization dedicated to making the downtown area a unique and successful place to work, live, invest, and play. DRI provides leadership and support to create a common desire to preserve the character of the past while pursuing a future filled with innovative opportunities and will help downtown continue to grow as the hotspot of the region. DRI works in partnership with property owners, businesses, merchants, other non-profits, and the government to identify needs, develop strategies, shape public policy, and implement programs to strengthen the economic vitality of downtown and its role within the region as the urban center of western Virginia.

DRI is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of 20 members representing retail, restaurant, professional, industrial businesses, and property owners in downtown Roanoke and the Roanoke region of Virginia.