Berglund Center Casino Doubts, AI Parking Concerns & Police Chief on ICE | On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler

Questions about Roanoke’s future — downtown, online, and on the streets — take center stage this week.On today’s On The Record: With the Roanoke Rambler, reporter Jeff Sturgeon joins WFIR by phone as winter weather keeps him at home, walking through three of the Rambler’s most closely watched stories.First, we dig into the uncertain future of the Berglund Center, where a new city focus group is exploring redevelopment ideas — even as momentum appears to be stalling in Richmond for a casino license. Jeff explains what city leaders are now saying publicly, why the civic center has become a financial burden, and what alternatives may be on the table if the casino plan goes nowhere.Next, we turn to Roanoke’s new AI-driven, gateless parking system, now operating in city garages. Supporters say it’s faster, cheaper, and more convenient — but critics raise concerns about privacy, accuracy, and lawsuits involving the private company behind the technology. We break down what the city is paying for, what data is collected, and what could change as a broader parking study moves forward.Finally, we discuss a wide-ranging One City Q&A with Roanoke Police Chief Scott Booth, who addresses declining gun violence, deep mistrust in parts of the city, and the department’s stance on ICE and immigration enforcement. Booth also talks candidly about community policing, equity across Roanoke’s four quadrants, and why building trust is central to public safety in 2026.A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on development, technology, and trust in local government — all in this week’s On The Record.