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4 - DOWNTOWN

Access

Target Key Demographics

CREATE A VIBRANT, LIVABLE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD

Improve multimodal access to and within Downtown by enhancing transit and through investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure Providing amenities in Downtown is only one piece of the puzzle. Those amenities must also be accessible by the variety of people they serve. And they should be accessible by a variety of modes, so as to mitigate traffic, encourage walking and biking, and welcome the non-driving community. This will require a mix of parking, bike/pedestrian, and transit facilities and systems.

Promote development of economically- feasible, human-scaled structures

The fourth goal of the Downtown Strategy is all about creating a place where people want to be: a place that is attractive, lively, and inviting. A mix of uses, programs, and open spaces will ensure that Downtown is active throughout the day. Mobility improvements, branding, and public art will help Downtown feel more welcoming and will help orient visitors as they visit different areas within town. Above all, Downtown will serve as a vibrant and livable heart for the Blacksburg community.

New development in Downtown should contribute to the attractiveness and comfort of the outdoor environment. This can be accomplished through thoughtful building design and choice of materials. At the same time, any guidelines promoting sensitive architectural and urban design need to balance design preferences with the realities of development economics, in order to encourage projects that are both desirable and feasible. Improve Downtown experience and future development by defining Downtown districts Expand "boundaries" of Downtown to guide development Finally, defining distinct districts within Downtown can highlight the vibrancy and diversity of the area. Not every element that makes up a great Downtown fits in every part of the neighborhood; districting will help the town focus different types of development in the most strategically-appropriate places. It will also improve the visitor experience, making it easy to understand where to find different activities and uses. Branding

Public Space

Development Opportunities

Increase Downtown vibrancy via public spaces, public art, venues for cultural expression, and streetscaping

Encourage development of a mix of uses Encourage and support local businesses

The outside environment in Downtown should match the vibrancy of its indoor establishments. Creating spaces for outdoor gathering and events, as well as developing beautiful art and landscaping, will make the streets of Downtown as much of a destination as its shops and restaurants.

A vibrant downtown is a place where there are amenities for a wide variety of people at a variety of times. This means providing a mix of uses, so that the neighborhood becomes an active and dynamic place for visitors, employees, and residents alike. An integral part of the mix is the local business community, which will contribute a unique character to the area, making it not just any downtown, but Downtown Blacksburg.

58 Chapter 3 - Goals and Objectives