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STRATEGIES: 7 STRATEGIES FOR DOWNTOWN

CHAPTER 4

CELEBRATE TOWN D I ST I NCT I VENESS

Downtown Blacksburg is ripe with opportunities to celebrate the town’s unique identity. Part of seizing this opportunity will involve refining the Town’s approach to historic preservation in ways that clarify the Town’s preservation goals and encourage rehabilitation of historic structures. The small business and arts community would also benefit from support in the form of financial assistance and zoning changes that allow more flexibility for artistic or gallery uses.

Refine Approach to Historic Preservation

Support Small Business Growth

Historic Preservation is clearly a priority for Blacksburg. To date, much of the historic preservation has been through an advisory regulatory process that provides design guidance and oversight in designated districts. Blacksburg has the opportunity to create a comprehensive historic preservation plan that examines opportunities for a pro-active and thorough preservation program to preserve and enhance the town’s eclectic architectural character. Such a plan should compile existing guidelines and regulations, clearly define the goals of the town for historic preservation, and create guidelines to identify high-priority structures (not limited to the existing Blacksburg Historic District) towards which the town should target rehabilitation initiatives. This may involve creating additional National Register or Virginia Landmark listings or districts. The plan should also identify funding sources, such as a revolving loan fund for rehabilitation of high-priority structures that may not qualify or have been listed on the National Register or as a Virginia Landmark. This fund may be tied to the Housing Trust Fund or the Community Land Trust mentioned earlier in this chapter. The Virginia Historic Tax Credit program provides credits for both owner-occupied and income-producing property. The town should actively promote this program, and consider providing assistance and incentives for developers that participate.

Small independent businesses are the foundation for the vibrancy of downtown Blacksburg. Expanding support for these businesses could involve a revolving or forgivable loan fund; a creative spaces grant that would encourage use of space for public gathering, dining, and art (a similar initiative exists in Virginia Beach); and the encouragement of micro-retail spaces in mixed use infill structures that can serve as springboards for new small businesses. The town should also expand zoning allowance for non-residential uses in single-family homes in selected areas and with conditions. These may allow for retail and restaurant uses in addition to offices in key areas—making certain non-residential uses by right in targeted districts such as downtown West—and tie small business development back to the historic preservation initiatives mentioned earlier in this chapter.

77 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan STRONG LINK

LINK STRATEGY CONNECTIONS