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DOWNTOWN’S SIX DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 5

Vision: Draper Cultural District The central theme for Draper is to support arts and culture with an enhanced street environment to link its many assets and targeted infill that fully delivers on its opportunity and functionality. Draper can serve as a seam between some of Virginia Tech’s most creative and innovative colleges and the town. The public realm should be inviting and artful, with great bike and pedestrian facilities. Assets like the Blacksburg Museum will be celebrated, perhaps anchoring a Museum Row, if other cultural institutions were to be co-located on adjacent sites along Draper. A small private food hall could sit near Market Square, serving the students, faculty, and staff at the future Creativity and Innovation District (CID). Underutilized sites could be developed more densely for office and co-working, creating space for spin-off activity related to the CID as it develops.

Upgraded parks/trails

Bike/ped facilities

Retail and office space

Public art

CHARACTER & I DENT I TY

STRATEG I ES

Establish Development Opportunities

 Museum Row

 Park Enhancement  Office/Coworking

Address Housing Affordability

Move People, Not Cars

 Bike and Pedestrian Network

 Streetscape

Enhance the Public Realm

 Public Art  Food/Food Hall

99 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan

Foster Innovation and a Resilient Local Economy

Celebrate Town Distinctiveness

 Restaurants/Dining

 Infill South of Washington

S7

Six Districts, One Downtown