Redevelopment ideas for old Blacksburg Middle School edge closer to reality
Blacksburg Planning Commission members Ben Crawford (left) and J.B. Jones look at an architect's rendering of a proposed development of the old Blacksburg Middle School property. The commission and the town council met together Tuesday to discuss the proposed project. | Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times
“I’m happier,” Town Councilwoman Susan Anderson said, “but not yet happy.”
Tuesday’s session was a joint meeting of Blacksburg’s town council and its planning commission, giving both bodies the chance to comment on a new version of a development proposal that ran into criticism at its unveiling last month.
Developers are trying to soothe objections before formally filing rezoning requests in December.
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It is a good thing – a very good thing – that the town, the residents, the developer and the county are taking the time to methodically talk this through. They will arrive at a plan that will satisfy the majority of interests and be a revenue generator while establishing a new, living, breathing neighborhood in the heart of our town. The fact that someone wants to spend upwards of $85 million on a local project that will put office workers and residents within walking distance of the existing downtown is fantastic. Let’s all work together to make this the best we can.
Comment by Quality — November 14, 2012 @ 8:34 am
The site would be the perfect place for a Super Walmart.
Comment by Local Guy — November 14, 2012 @ 9:15 am
I’m so confused as to why Town Council is even entertaining such a plan, yes I know something has to be done with that land and yes I realize the sale would help Mont. County, but please fix the mess that is First & Main first before diving into another similar project. It seems as if every-time a store wants to come to First & Main it’s blocked by those who want to keep all stores out of Blacksburg. Who’s to say the exact same thing won’t happen with this development….hotel/business space sitting empty.
Comment by Hokie540 — November 14, 2012 @ 12:17 pm
“Blacksburg sees itself as a role model for other communities, she added. “I think we can try to make this a premier project.”
– Town Councilwoman Susan Anderson
I would believe this a whole lot more, if we didn’t have first and main sitting mostly vacant. They’ve done nothing since the wal-mart issue was settled to attract anyone to that space.
Comment by Joe — November 14, 2012 @ 12:45 pm
The concerns by those posting are understandable but this project is completely different than that of First & Main which is a retail shopping center.
The bulk of the OBMS Redevelopment is professional office space and residential – which only benefits the downtown as you will have daytime office staff and nighttime residents in walking distance to all of our downtown amenities. Retail is third in the percentage of what is to be included.
PLEASE – don’t think of this as a shopping center – it isn’t.
Comment by Love It Here — January 7, 2013 @ 12:12 pm