Blacksburg Town Council Work Session - June 4, 2024

The Blacksburg Town Council held a work session on June 4, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:18 p.m. at the Blacksburg Motor Company, 400 S. Main St. The session included discussions on a Housing and Urban Development grant action plan, a conservation grant at Heritage Park, and the Midtown Architectural Review.

Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Action Plan and HOME Program Action Plan

• Housing and Community Connections Manager Kim Thurlow presented the proposed Consolidated Action Plan Amendment and Annual Action Plan. The amendment involves an administrative swap of funding sources to support the Legacy on Main project and a proposed project in Giles County.

Community Conservation Grant at Heritage Park

• Sustainability Manager Carol Davis reviewed the ecological restoration project at Heritage Park. Initially, invasive plant species were to be removed from a 2-acre portion. A subsequent Virginia Environmental Endowment Grant approved a 17-acre expansion of the restoration. The projected completion timeline is two years.

Midtown Architectural Review

• Interim Planning Director Kali Casper provided an overview of the Midtown Development Planned Residential Architectural Review. Council members raised concerns about the building elevations, specifically the appearance of several buildings with exterior sides lacking windows. Project Coordinator Ian Friend of SAS Construction explained the limitations and offered potential design options to address the concerns. Friend agreed to bring updated design options to the next work session.

Key Outcomes

• No votes or formal decisions were taken. Council directed Ian Friend to present updated design options for the Midtown development at the next work session. The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.