Local news- Press Release
Blacksburg Virginia - State of Blacksburg 2024 24 January 2024 ( news )
Blacksburg , state Virginia ( By Press Release office)
Jan 24,2024
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Leslie Hager - Smith , Mayor
lhagersmith@blacksburg . gov
The Town of Blacksburg begins 2024 with new viewpoints and promising initiatives . Changes of these kinds may not be readily apparent to the average citizen , but in a small town they affect us all . So it is with good cheer that I share this State of the Town report as the year commences .
New initiatives
In 2024 , we’ll launch a Toms Creek Basin ( TCB ) Planning Study for lands west of the 460 by - pass . We will be considering five elements: open space; environmental resources; land use recommendations and strategies; transportation; and water handling . How do we preserve the area’s rural character while preparing responsibly for increased traffic and housing density?
These are issues that affect us whether we live in the TCB or not . The Town has more than doubled its parkland since 2020 , amounting now to over 1 , 000 acres . Thousands of people enjoy recreating at the Blacksburg Rotary Mountain Biking Skills Park , the new Brush Mountain Park and Heritage Park .
The study , which should be complete by June , 2025 , will be facilitated by consultants to the Town , and it will build on last year’s TCB Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Study .
There will be multiple interim reports to Planning Commission and Town Council between now and then , and therefore many opportunities for the public to engage in the process . I encourage all residents to join in by visiting LetsTalkBlacksburg . org and by signing up for Citizens Alerts at Blacksburg . gov .
We don’t get to choose who is choosing us , making population growth a certainty . Presently , 500 acres in the Toms Creek Basin are being assembled , mapped and marketed jointly by approximately 5 owners: That is their right . But , planning for it is something Blacksburg has always done and will continue to do well .
Fresh Faces
Deputy Town Manager Chris Lawrence exited to take a position with Montgomery County . It’s a transition that will help to seal the close working partnerships we value among government entities in the New River Valley . Planning and Building Director Anne McClung retired after 15 years of devoted service to this community , and very soon , Director of Engineering Randy Formica will also pass the baton .
In November , citizens of Blacksburg reelected Jerry Ford to council , as well as Michael Sutphin who will serve as Vice - Mayor for a second term . John Bush , who chose not to run after 14 years on council , has served this town in many capacities over 30 years , including on our review board for historic structures , as well as on the board of the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation . His departure will be felt on Town Council especially; though he will surely remain in service to the community he loves .
Filling his seat will be Liam Watson , a 24 - year - old Blacksburg native who brings not just a fresh face but experience in public service . He served previously as a member of Blacksburg’s Planning Commission , and on the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Commission .
Infrastructure
Blacksburg is deeply involved in the kinds of infrastructure projects that are mostly invisible , always essential , and often undervalued . Yet they are exactly what a well - managed , livable town provides to its citizens . The Town plans $128 million in capital improvements over the next five years; and , they are outlined on the Blacksburg . gov website .
Ask Dr . Charles Schade , a 78 year old Blacksburg resident who rides his bike to the Farmers Market and who recently spoke before Council to share his observations on the Town budget . A self - described capital improvements “junkie , ” Charles urges us to build a downtown restroom before undertaking Draper Road streetscape improvements . Both items are slated for funding , but from different sources . I so wish everyone took Charles’ interest in the spending decisions that affect us!
In addition to downtown improvements , the Capital Improvement Plan ( CIP ) features the addition of a climbing area to the Hand - in - Hand playground , a South Point Community Park , and two new trail systems . Major sewer replacements and upgrades are underway on both the north and south ends of town . Pedestrian and bike improvements to Patrick Henry Drive are planned . $17M is budgeted to expand the BT maintenance facilities , adding a wash bay and 20 electric busses .
Housing
We have some perennial challenges . For example , we never have the luxury of NOT thinking about housing . That’s true all over the country , but in this college town , certain conditions make it particularly difficult . New expectations from our citizens paired with growth pressure from Virginia Tech will produce an unsustainable demand on our infrastructure and Town services .
A year ago , Virginia Tech officials adopted a campus master plan that included a Student Life Village and that is to say , dormitories . It’s a move in the right direction but it won’t keep ahead of their growth plans . Town officials are told that the university’s current plan is to grow by a “modest” 100 students every year , as smaller colleges and universities shed enrollment . That would require a new apartment building every year , and VT is not building them fast enough .
With encouragement from the Town , private sector apartment complexes added density in recent years to house more students . Council has approved workforce housing in five locations since 2020 . The Town committed support to a community land trust that will serve the entire county with affordable homeownership opportunities for low - to - moderate income households . Council is also looking at enhanced enforcement of our short - term rental regulations to relieve pressure on neighborhoods . But , we’ll need more to preserve quality of life in Blacksburg .
Town - Gown
The Town’s transportation grid is nearing its limit , with no realistic way to expand its boundaries . Parking is a perpetual problem . Blacksburg’s recreation center was built in 1981: We have land to build a new one , but not the money . Our local hospital will suspend labor and delivery services this spring . Childcare is scarce . The wait for medical specialists sends people to other cities and states for care . It’s pretty easy to see why VT administrators express concern about retention and recruitment . . .
The student population in Blacksburg already outnumbers ordinary citizens by more than 2 - to - 1 . Students pay less in taxes and require more in services than other demographic groups . They require more policing , more mental health services , even more hot water . The imbalance is simply unsustainable .
If Virginia Tech wants to build success in retention and recruitment , it must build the infrastructure to sustain its own ambitions . And if the university cannot prosper without adding students , that expansion needs to take place on its other campuses , which number seven and counting . The good people of Blacksburg can no longer subsidize VT’s growth plans .
In the final analysis , what’s good for Blacksburg , will be good for Virginia Tech and its students .
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