Blacksburg’s pricey parking lot
Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam’s infrequently updated blog recently sparked to life as readers debated the merits of the town buying a downtown parking lot for $650,000.
“Someone made a really good deal, and it wasn’t the people of Blacksburg,” one reader wrote.
“I congratulate council for making a deal on this property,” another commented.
And so on. People opposed to the deal generally thought it was too much money to spend on two-thirds of an acre with 80 parking spaces.
The lot is behind The Creekmore Law Firm building, formerly Raines Real Estate. For those more familiar with liquor landmarks, it is one of the lots behind The Cellar. It is part of the law firm’s property, which is being subdivided to make the sale work.
The town owns or has agreements to use all of the nearby metered parking areas, but this particular lot remained private. Drivers lease parking spots in it.
We confess to our own sticker shock when we first saw the announcement, but town staff makes a convincing case that this is a wise investment.
The location makes it so valuable. An appraisal commissioned by the town valued the parking lot at $600,000 to $685,000. Meanwhile the county assesses the entire property, including the house, at $1.3 million.
Revenue from leased parking will offset some of the cost, at least in the short term. Current leases will continue at least through June, bringing in about $4,000 per month.
Town Manager Marc Verniel described it as a “strategic parcel.” Surface parking almost certainly is not the best long-term use for this premium piece of land.
Downtown Blacksburg, especially at that northern end, is changing. The town recently completed improvements to North Main Street, and Virginia Tech is well along building a performing arts center nearby. Meanwhile, the town is eying College Avenue for an overhaul.
As all those pieces fall into place, more people will visit that part of town to eat, shop and take in shows. That will create more demand for parking, and the newly consolidated lots could be an excellent site for a parking garage. Tucked behind existing businesses, a garage would be largely out of sight from Main Street but also much closer to the action than the Kent Square Parking Garage that has struggled to attract customers who do not want to walk a few blocks.
Residents who remain unconvinced might console themselves with another fact. The town had the good sense to buy while the real estate market is weak. If a garage never happens, the lot could be suitable for other development when the market rebounds.
By The Roanoke Times editorial board
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you’d think they would use the money for something better, isn’t there a report that the police dept needs more officers. of they could buy the police dept some more equipment.
Comment by daryl — January 29, 2012 @ 10:46 am
There have been some pretty constant complaints in downtown Blacksburg about the lack of parking (usually from people unaware or too fat/lazy to use the Kent Square garage). Now the town does something about it by investing in real estate (at a pretty decent price, really) and providing a lot for shoppers – yet people complain. Times like now are one of the (very few) times that I feel sorry for town officials. I’m sure the downtown merchants are happy, though!
Comment by Neutral — January 29, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
Seriously, you believe the Kent Square Parking Garage is struggling for customers? As one who has to search for a parking space in the KS Parking garage twice a week, I beg to differ. I do not stand alone in this issue. Many people struggle daily to find a space to park at KS just trying to tan or donate at red cross, not to mention those wanting to shop. Maybe you should take a look at the spaces they added for motorcycles to make room for more vehicles instead of a motorcycle taking up a large space. The only time their are spaces in excess is when the students are gone for the summer. Blacksburg is a college town so summer is down time for everyone but KS garage is definitely not struggling for customers.
Comment by in need of parking — January 29, 2012 @ 7:52 pm
I really can’t imagine the Blacksburg police department needing more officers…You can only go a couple blocks without seeing one downtown and if they aren’t there they are probably sitting at the fire station. Besides for that, the Virginia Tech police department is a close neighbor and I only assume can respond if they’re not too busy doing nothing. Maybe if Awful Arthur’s was still open and getting the weekend hood crowd breaking windows and fighting in the street I could understand your point.
Comment by Not officer daryl — January 30, 2012 @ 2:19 am
Complain, complain. Cry and whine. This is “inexpensive” in comparison to what this lot can generate through a sale for development and management of downtown land. The Town is doing the right thing by planning ahead and controlling this parcel. Complainers don’t know what they are talking about.
Comment by LOVE NRV — January 30, 2012 @ 8:53 am
Maybe we should use this money to fix our schools, since they have issues!!!
Comment by M — January 30, 2012 @ 10:52 am
Hey M,
Perhaps you need a lesson in how the schools are administered. The schools are run by the County, not the Town. So, that money cannot be used for schools. Perhaps if the County were buying the parking lot, your comment would make sense.
Neutral,
You also need a lesson. It is not the fat who do not want to park in Kent Square. I recently went downtown to Mike’s to visit friends and thought about parking in Kent Square, but since it was evening I chose not to because I would have to walk by myself in the evening to a enclosed parking garage. No thanks! And in need of parking is correct. Kent Square has no problems staying full when the students are in town.
Comment by Queen of Pith — January 31, 2012 @ 8:52 am
but you know … as I stood in the new beautiful Price Fork Elementary gym (located in the county) yesterday watching my youngest daughter play rec basketball – “sponsored” by Blacksburg Park and Rec Department. It dawned on me, if the “county” had not built / invested new schools in the town / county – where would Blacksburg Park and Rec Department conduct their Leagues? True the County operates the School Division, but the Towns (and other entities) take full advantage of those resources. True – there is a “usage” fee but who ultimately pays for that?
Maybe instead of $650K for “strategic” parking lot, Blacksburg residents (and the county as well) might benefit more from an investment of $650K into their Recreation programs and facilities (not “parks” gotta enough of them).
I don’t live in the town, but if I did, I would think the spending priorities are not aligned with the needs.
Comment by B. Wendell Jones — February 5, 2012 @ 8:55 am