000000_TownBburg_DowntownLiving_FB

DOWNTOWN’S SIX DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 5

Vision The vision for Central Downtown is for it to be the activity hub of the entire Downtown, and the place where many town goals and objectives are met. New, quality housing, office, and retail development with forward- thinking and appropriately-scaled architecture will help attract and retain young professionals. The College Avenue extension will be transformed into a central gathering plaza serving as a front door to the community. This large space will be complemented by adjacent smaller spaces, such as in the alley, that create the opportunity for pop-ups and public art highlighting the town’s distinct character. A new parking garage on the Municipal Lot will support businesses and enables visitors to “park once” when they come Downtown. Improvements to Progress will help to form a bike and pedestrian network that links people to jobs and activity, taking cars off the road, while also helping to better link people to Wong Park. Retail space will be occupied by a blend of national and local storefronts and entrepreneurs that appeals to non-students as well as students. New buildings will integrate art, interesting materials, and street furniture to ensure that new development is distinctive, and does not feel generic or homogeneous. Central Downtown is and should continue to be enhanced as the most active and vibrant part of Downtown—a central place of gathering that belongs to everyone.

Parking garage

Public space

Historic preservation

Bike/ped facilities

CHARACTER & I DENT I TY

STRATEG I ES

Establish Development Opportunities

 Mixed-use, with a blend of historic and forward-thinking architecture  Places for local and distinctive national businesses  Enhanced public space, such as at College Avenue extension  Support employee attraction and retention  Investments in walkability and non-motorized transportation  Better links to Wong Park and Huckleberry Trail

Address Housing Affordability

Move People, Not Cars

Enhance the Public Realm

119 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan

Foster Innovation and a Resilient Local Economy

Celebrate Town Distinctiveness

Six Districts, One Downtown

 Capacity for parking