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CENTRAL DOWNTOWN

undersupply of parking in this central part of Downtown. Progress Street itself currently has a relatively utilitarian design, with no elements that buffer pedestrians from traffic, and a street width insufficient to accommodate both dedicated on-street bike lanes and the existing on-street parking on the east side of the street. Travel lanes are currently marked with bicycle “sharrows”. A rebuild of Progress Street, combined with appropriately scaled redevelopment on its west side, could transform the street into a more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly street. This plan envisions a wide shared-use path on the west side of the street, buffered from the curb with landscaping where space allows. These improvements on Progress Street within the Central Downtown District have the potential to extend north, contributing to a broader network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

With these improvements in place, the automobile-oriented street can be transformed into a more fitting front door to Downtown Blacksburg, and the signature public gathering space within the town. Catalyst 3: Progress Street Transportation Progress Street provides an important north- south connection from the Patrick Henry corridor to downtown. It is also a transition point from the commercial and mixed-use character of Downtown to the historic residential character of neighborhoods to the east. As such, this street has the potential to fulfill multiple objectives of this plan. While Progress Street can accommodate new downtown redevelopment on its west side, the historic homes on the east side of the street will largely be preserved. Development potential on the west side of Progress offers an opportunity to improve the streetscape and transform it into a more inviting, multi- modal street that will also add value to the homes that remain. The current municipal parking lot on Progress Street is positioned to accommodate a new structured parking facility, fronted on two sides by a liner with residential uses. This garage will help to mitigate traffic and correct the current

Retail/residential uses lining parking garage

Bike/pedestrian facilities

Chapter 5 – Downtown’s Six Districts

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