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as they relate to Downtown, and to formulate a set of strategic recommendations that could guide how the town approaches future Downtown development. The study considered how the town could balance its expected growth, its challenges with housing affordability, its desire to maintain its small town identity, and its potential to have a more vibrant Downtown. The resulting district framework, recommended strategies, and suggested implementation steps found in later chapters of the plan all point to a path forward in achieving that balance. The ultimate opportunity here is for Blacksburg to turn Downtown into a dynamic, active, inclusive neighborhood for students and non- students alike. But doing so will require it to change its development paradigm. This means thinking about Downtown as encompassing not only Main Street, but some of the adjacent blocks as well. It means recognizing that Downtown has districts with unique characteristics, able to successfully support distinct mixes of land use. It means encouraging the strategic development of denser housing and retail buildings in Downtown, along with more infrastructure for bicycle, pedestrians, and bus riders, so as to create a less car-dependent place. And it means balancing a celebration of Blacksburg’s rich past with a nurturing of its bright future, so that the town can continue to thrive as it has for the past two hundred years.

DOWNTOWN BLACKSBURG

VIRGINIA TECH

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Chapter i - Introduction & Summary

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