Protesters speak against potential Wood Haven sale as Roanoke City mayor laments ‘code of ethics violations’ by councilmen

Protesters gathered outside the Roanoke City municipal building to express opposition to a land purchase agreement concerning the Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County, where Roanoke City holds an ownership stake. The agreement was approved in September by the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (WVRIFA). Delaware-based Clearview Dynamics LLC is the reported buyer, and while WVRIFA has not confirmed the property's future use, there is public speculation that a portion could be sold to a data center developer.

This debate has exposed a significant rift within the Roanoke City Council. Mayor Joe Cobb publicly accused Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and Councilman Phazhon Nash of violating the council's code of conduct through social media posts and unprofessional behavior toward colleagues, the city manager, and WVRIFA members. Cobb emphasized the importance of prioritizing community interests over personal or political gain, stating that council members cannot legally speak for the council as a whole.

Following the WVRIFA's approval of the purchase agreement, McGuire and Nash issued a joint statement criticizing the WVRIFA and local leadership for a "lack of transparency" and expressing "vehement opposition" to data center development in the Roanoke Valley. They later referenced a participation agreement between Roanoke City, Salem City, and Roanoke County, which they claim requires a unanimous vote from the three governing bodies for project-related decisions. The WVRIFA, however, clarified last week that the purchase agreement represents a lengthier inspection and due diligence process and does not constitute a completed sale.