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ANALYSIS : AFRAMEWORK FORDOWNTOWNBLACKSBURG

CHAPTER 2

ANCHORS AND AMEN I T I ES

Celebrating Assets Many of Downtown Blacksburg’s anchors have historic roots. The main historic anchors are St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, Old Town Hall, and the Alexander Black House. Downtown’s greenspace amenities include Market Square Park, Wong Park, Henderson Lawn, Marcia’s Park, and the Huckleberry Trail. Arts-related anchors include the Moss Arts Center and Lyric Theatre, while institutional anchors include Town Hall, Blacksburg Motor Company, and the Library. Blacksburg has the opportunity to better link its anchors and amenities through strategies such as districting, wayfinding, pedestrian enhancements, or biking facilities. Some of these anchors and amenities also have the opportunity to become more prominent in Downtown. St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, Old Town Hall, Wong Park, and Marcia’s Park are all extremely close to the center of Downtown but could benefit from better visibility, connections, and additional elements such as landscaping, recreation assets, or historical descriptions and event programming to attract visitors. Incorporating existing and new anchors and amenities into redevelopment decisions will be key to preserve Downtown’s character and continue attracting people to visit. Anchors and amenities are often the things that draw casual users to a downtown in the first place—and keep them coming back. Downtown Blacksburg is fortunate to have a variety of anchors and amenities that serve residents and draw in tourists.

Market Square Park

St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall

49 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan

Lyric Theatre

Moss Arts Center