CELEBRATING
A CULTURE.

EMPOWERING
A COMMUNITY.

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FOUR FOCUS AREAS. ONE GATHERING PLACE.

WHEN YOU SEE NEON, YOU SEE LIFE.

Melrose Plaza is a transformative project that will bring high-quality services back to the community.

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A HUB FOR HOPE.

When one part of a community is challenged, everyone feels it. That’s why organizations and individuals from across the region have come together to accelerate change. They include Northwest Roanoke residents, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, the City of Roanoke, and numerous regional businesses and non-profits, to name a few.

Melrose Plaza will create new jobs, introducing new graduates into the workforce. The impact will be immediate and long term. For example, something as simple as having a grocery store and a bank in your backyard will be life changing for people who currently need to go outside the area for these needs.

The shared goals for Melrose Plaza are as numerous as the partners involved. Address health disparities. End the food desert in Northwest Roanoke. Remove barriers to economic success. Help residents achieve their fullest potential. Improve the quality of life for residents. Create a new sense of community pride.

FOR A STRONG FUTURE. AND A STRONGER COMMUNITY.

SHOP FOR AFFORDABLE FOOD CLOSE TO HOME.

To address food scarcity in NW Roanoke, THE MARKET ON MELROSE, PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 2024, will be a full-service grocery store for access to affordable, healthy food – just within reach for our community.

LEARN THE VALUE OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

To foster a thriving community, THE BANK OF BOTETOURT branch will help bring financial empowerment to the people of Northwest Roanoke. The branch will be fully operational, with easy access to banking services, a 24/7 ATM, and free one-on-one financial coaching.

GET THE SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT

The Excel Center® will be a free, public high school for adults, making education more accessible and futures brighter. Building on the current successes of the Melrose Library next door, the teams will partner to create a climate of lifelong learning and community enrichment.

Students at the Excel Center® will be able to earn a state-recognized high school diploma plus credentials and certificates, all designed to prepare residents for in-demand jobs. The Melrose Library will support these students and all residents by continuing educational assistance programming and helping individuals prepare for the workforce.

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS

Designed to improve the health and wellbeing of NW residents, THE WELLNESS CENTER will be run by local health and wellness experts and offer medical, dental, and behavioral health services. The center will host vaccination clinics, well-child screenings, and more.

A HISTORY OF CARING & COLLABORATION.

IT STARTED BY LISTENING.

Before there was the push for Melrose Plaza, there was the Northwest Roanoke Food Access Initiative, started in 2017. In addition to addressing food scarcities, one of its first goals was to involve residents in all the decisions made. Give them a strong voice.

With that in mind, the Melrose Plaza Advisory Committee was formed. NW neighbors give feedback, share ideas and help decide which services will make the biggest impact. It’s their community. It’s their center.

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ABOUT GOODWILL

  • Founded in 1931 and serving 35 counties and 14 cities in Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia
  • Operating 38 retail stores
  • Serving tens of thousands of Virginians annually
  • Employing a team of over 1,000
  • Providing access to education, skills training, job placement, and many other services for youth, adults, and seniors

WHERE THERE’S A GOODWILL, THERE’S A WAY.

You know Goodwill for its retail stores. But by providing the vision and leadership for Melrose Plaza, Goodwill is redefining what it means to lift up a community.

In addition to owning the building and the land – which will cut the cost of development significantly – Goodwill has a strong presence in the neighborhood and proven success with retail management. Our mission has always been about empowering individuals, strengthening families, and inspiring communities. Melrose Plaza is a perfect example of that commitment.