By Debbie Adams
According to Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, actions taken at the Vinton Town Council meeting on
November 19 were “historic.” After a public hearing, council voted unanimously to sign a
contract with KARA Hospitality, LLC to bring a new hotel to Vinton.
Project site at intersection of Virginia Avenue, South Pollard Street, Cedar Avenue, and 1 st
Street. (courtesy Town of Vinton)
The town purchased six parcels of property (about two acres) in 2018 and 2019 within, and
adjacent to, the intersection of Virginia Avenue, South Pollard Street, Cedar Avenue, and 1 st
Street for the purpose of recruiting a hotel to be constructed on the site.
The town completed Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments on the parcels, demolished
existing structures on the property, conducted several hotel market studies, and established a
conceptual site plan for the site.
The Covid pandemic stalled those plans, but intensified efforts over recent months led to the
issuance of a Request for Proposals in August 2024. Two formal proposals to develop a hotel at
the site were received. The town’s Economic Development Committee chose KARA Hospitality
and directed staff to negotiate acceptable terms with the company.
A Contract of Sale for the property with KARA Hospitality has been agreed to in principle and
will include a due diligence period through June 30, 2025, that will include the approval of a
performance agreement with the town (development incentive grants), finalizing building plans,
making site improvements, and securing a hotel franchise for the property.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing the town manager to execute the Performance
Agreement between the Town of Vinton, the Roanoke County Economic Development Authority
(EDA) and KARA Hospitality for the purpose of developing an Extended Stay America
Premium hotel on the parcels, to be known as the Vinton/East County Hotel Project.
Under terms of the Performance Agreement, KARA has agreed to a minimum investment of $12
million for the development of the hotel, to create and maintain at least 10 new full-time jobs at
the hotel, and to generate $100,000 in increased transient occupancy tax revenue per year for the
town.
In turn, the town and EDA will provide an Economic Development Incentive Grant to encourage
the hotel project and pay the amount of the grant to KARA Hospitality over a five-year period.
Commencing on the first anniversary of the opening date of the hotel, and continuing thereafter
on each anniversary day of the opening date for five consecutive years (for a total of five annual
payments), the town will pay to the Authority and the Authority will pay to KARA a grant in the
amount of $100,000; provided that the amount of the grant will be reduced by the amount of any
shortfall the company has in achieving its annual Transient Occupancy Tax Revenue Target for
each respective year.
Mayor Grose earnestly thanked Town Manager Pete Peters and staff for diligently pursuing this
project for several years, despite the many obstacles they encountered.
The council meeting included many recognitions and awards for local businesses and staff.
Economic Development Specialist Marshall Stanley recognized Vinton restaurants who received
Best Dining Awards in the annual Roanoker Magazine competition: the Dogwood Restaurant,
Macado’s, New York Pizza, Our Daily Bread, Pok-E-Joe’s, Pollard 107 South, and RND Coffee.
Owner Cory Welch accepted the award for Pok-E-Joe’s; Jes Curtin represented RND Coffee.
were recognized by Economic Development Specialist Marshall Stanley. Pictured left to right
are Mayor Brad Grose, Jes Curtin representing RND Coffee, Cory Welch, owner of Pok-E-Joe’s,
and Marshall Stanley.
Vinton Human Resource/Risk Management Director Donna Collins recognized Town of Vinton
employees who are veterans, including Mayor Brad Grose, Police Chief Fabricio Drumond, Cpl.
Jesse Dibble, Public Works Chief Mechanic Jimmy Brown, Officer Sean McKittrick, and Officer
Jacob Miller. She commended the veterans for their honor, sacrifice, resilience, courage, and
discipline. She also recognized military families for those same traits. Flags were dedicated to
each veteran employed by the town and placed on the inaugural Field of Honor at the Vinton
War Memorial. She noted that the event raised over $1,100 for Vinton VFW Post 4522 and will
continue next year. Veterans were also honored at a town luncheon last week.
flags. Pictured left to right are Cpl. Dibble, Sgt. Alterio, Chief Drumond, and Grose. Not pictured
are Chief Mechanic Jimmy Brown, Officer Sean McKittrick, and Officer Jacob Miller.
Town Council recognized Collins and Community Programs Manager Amanda Payne for their
hard work leading to Vinton being recognized as a “Top Performer” Commemorative Partner by
the U.S. Department of Defense. To achieve this recognition an organization must host five or
more events honoring Vietnam veterans and their families. This rare honor goes to only 15
percent of the more than 13,000 organizations participating.
Programs Manager Amanda Payne accepted the “Top Performer” Vietnam Commemorative
Partner Award for the town from the U.S. Dept. of Defense. Pictured left to right are Amanda
Payne, Mayor Brad Grose, and Donna Collins.
Police Chief Drumond recognized several Vinton officers during the meeting.
Officer Jesse Dibble was promoted to the rank of corporal, pinned by his mother.
meeting.
Officer Grant Shepherd was also promoted to corporal, accompanied by his wife, Madeline, and son, Noah.
Dep. Chief Lawless, Cpl. Shepherd, his wife Madeline and their son, and Chief Drumond.
Sgt. Brandon Alterio and Sgt. Jeremy Shrewsbury received Certificates of Commendation for
completing the strenuous FBI-Leeda Trilogy Series in leadership.
Commendation for completing the FBI-Leeda Trilogy Series in leadership. Pictured left to right
are Dep. Chief Tim Lawless, Sgt. Alterio, Sgt. Shrewsbury, and Chief Drumond.
Officer Jason Call was commended for his actions on September 27, 2024, during Hurricane
Helene. On that date, Officer Call brought his chainsaw to work to clear blocked roadways and
removed downed trees, performing far “above and beyond” his job requirements. Drumond
commended him for his “tremendous attitude and exemplary qualities” which demonstrate his
care for the community.
Council for his actions during Hurricane Helene. Pictured left to right are Deputy Chief Tim
Lawless, Officer Call, and Police Chief Fabricio Drumond. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Public Works Director Bo Herndon updated council on topics and projects discussed at the
November Public Works meeting. Two citizen issues were dealt with—complaints about
motorists speeding on Ruddell Road and those ignoring stop signs at the intersection of 5 th and
Cedar. Ruddell Road has recently been striped, and the town anticipates installation of speed
limit signs. The town is in discussion with VDOT over the 5 th and Cedar intersection and
possible remedies.
He also reported that the traffic signal destroyed in an accident at PFG will be replaced by mid-
December. Efforts continue to replace street signs throughout the town. The Midway community
is complete; currently, crews are working on the Bali Hai/Bush Farms area; next up will be
Dillon Woods and Briarcliff.
The town anticipates the completion of repair work which has closed Niagara Road by mid-
December or early January. The new utility line is in service; the Western Virginia Water
Authority is now in the process of abandoning the old line.
Treasurer/Finance Director Andrew Keen presented September and October financial reports for
council’s approval. He noted that revenues continue to exceed expectations (including consumer-
based meals, cigarette, pari-mutuel, and state sales taxes) while expenditures are lower than anticipated. He mentioned the upcoming renovations to the Vinton War Memorial, which will
require its closure for about a year, are expected to cost about $2 million.
