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DOWNTOWN’S SIX DISTRICTS

CHAPTER 5

Catalyst The catalyst for the Original 16 is not a single project, but a combination of efforts, both public and private. An enhanced street, streetscape, and pedestrian environment – while very costly and therefore requiring a gradual, phased approach – will greatly improve the livability, walkability, and intrinsic charm of the place. While lower density townhome infill is preferred along Wharton and Penn Street, the economic viability of this scale of development may be somewhat limited. An opportunity exists for a larger-scale project (provided the architecture is context sensitive) on the two blocks between Church Street to the west, Penn Street to the east, Lee Street to the north, and Clay Street to the south. Here, apartments, office, or mixed use development could take on a scale of three to four stories, transitioning to lower-scale townhomes along Penn Street and Lee Street. The intent of a catalyst in the Original 16 is to selectively replace development that is not sensitive to context and character with development that is, and leverage revenue to improve the public realm and invest in the preservation of historic structures.

POTENT I AL CATALYST

preservation

new construction & redevelopment

DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY

89 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan

9,500 square feet

30 units

100

20

units

Mid-Career Apartments

Ground-Floor Retail

Walk-Up Apartments

Townhomes