Early this June, something happened that was mindblowing. But let's get a small town history lesson first.
Attempting what was to be a renaissance of Downtown Christiansburg, some community members sought to save the old Presbyterian Manse on Pepper Street in 1981. This project was moving well by 1983 and followed by the town’s own chamber leading targeted efforts which culminated in a design team bringing businesses, property owners, and town and county governments to the table in 1998. A grand plan was adopted for “Old Town Christiansburg” centered on renovating the former Rose’s Department Store and many visual enhancements. Due to a lack of funding, accomplishing any goals seemed to drag out. Attracting and retaining new businesses in the central business district was tough without economic development leadership by town leaders. Many boosters became discouraged as they saw their efforts discarded or placed on the back burner. Some quit, others moved away. Many more "old" businesses retired and closed their doors.
Yet the Town of Christiansburg moved forward. By 2001 it had successfully completed a renovation of the Town Hall. New public safety and recreational facilities had been built. In 2003 there was extensive media coverage about how the ‘98 plan was coming alive and Main Street bids were in process. This downtown renovation would later be further enhanced by future recreational anchors on both sides of the central business district, with the planned construction of a baseball sports complex and public pools.
Even better, at this same time in late 2002 and early 2003, the county announced its courthouse expansion was going forward. This followed its renovation of a former garment factory, just blocks away. The architectural drawings were published, and the $12MM price tag was funded with bonds to cover the related county debt. As part of this overall project, public school and county administrative functions would be consolidated under one roof. This would provide a bonus of strengthening relationships between the two elected county government bodies while also providing some economies of scale.
Further documented in Comprehensive Plans of both the county and the town, a strong desire for restoring the “public face” of the community seemed apparent. While the historic county seat wasn’t barren due to government functions and numerous adjacent financial and professional offices, there was a desire to increase the “R’s” - Retail, Restaurants and Residential housing options were needed to cement Revitalization efforts.
Everything seemed aligned with the national trend of traditional downtowns coming alive again. Since Downtown Christiansburg was already surrounded by four distinct, stable and comfortable residential areas and nestled between two exits of an interstate, it seemed better positioned than many other localities which were challenged by being surrounded by old industrial districts or lacking good access to major transportation routes.
Some people bought into what turned out to be a lot of talk and little action. Or maybe people are too impatient.
Local chambers merged and with this, the mission and vision changed for Downtown Christiansburg. The town’s street enhancement project was delayed by funding issues and scope creep, where upgrading water and sewer lines logically got tossed in. The county dithered on design while scrambling to absorb more funding reductions from the state. Citizens watched the price tag for the courthouse more than double.
But by 2006 and only three years behind the last published plan, the town finally bid out a small portion of the original street project. What was to be accomplished in 12 months expanded to 20 months.
Some people were not happy visitor’s to Downtown Christiansburg had been greeted by a “Pardon Our Mess” sign and torn up roadways and sidewalks since back to the beginning of town hall renovations in 1999.
Slowly, though, some progress was made and some people were still working on the potentials that could be found in a Downtown Christiansburg being another economic engine for the town. This included the designation of an "Antiques Corridor" and new discussions about historic preservation, such as that shown by private investment in the town's three designated Historic Districts.
Some people started talking with area businesses in August of 2006. Asking property owners and entrepreneurs what their priorities were for the downtown, this led to a nice "Pickin' On the Museum" in July 2007. Encouraged by this, the concept of vintage car cruise in events in the downtown area was hatched. These festivals could be aligned to when the road work was sure to be completed (as it dragged on close to a year beyond promised completion). These downtown special events could showcase a “grand re-opening” for the town, while also complementing the museum’s annual Heritage Festival and 25th anniversary.
Volunteers worked hard and had great support from several town departments and council members. Lots of ideas, lots of tasks, lots of other work to balance in between, with limited funding and few hands to do the work.
The May event was the test drive, and the library’s reenactment of the historic duel was awesome. All this collaborating even when the town and chamber’s Tourism Development Council (TDC) were not happy with each other. Downtown businesses and volunteers were also working with the chamber in planning the 2008 Wilderness Trail Festival and to establish a visitor’s center at the museum. Good stuff. Progress.
The town’s outstanding Street and Police Departments supported each event, working furiously to make sure the renovations were complete, everything looked grand and public safety concerns were addressed. Lots more work, a little bit more cash and in-kind support, some great press coverage, but still few hands to do the job. At each event, however, more volunteers did step up. This ensured the classic cars, 5K race, bands and booths at each event could be enjoyed by visitors, friends and neighbors. The Grand Classic Cruisers were an outstanding group of car owners and made the work seem like fun.
When a sponsor backed out after event advertising had already gone out, it didn’t slow things down much. But when a “dueling tee-shirt” showed up just before the June 14th event – that was stunning in its perceived ill-intent.
See, Cruisin’ Christiansburg tee shirt and mug sales were meant both to commemorate the summer events, and to cover expenses. Volunteers working on these events were very careful while spending other people’s money – TDC grants came from tax dollars and small businesses contributed to the cause. The overarching theme was to spotlight Christiansburg businesses and the downtown area. If everything went well, not only would all bills be paid, but there would also be money left over to fund even more downtown events in the future.
Apparently done stealthily and under the guise of celebrating the “town’s grand re-opening,” over 1000 tee shirts appeared and were given away. No one who’d been working on the event planning team knew about them, nor did anyone at town hall. Most event sponsors and even some of those supporting this second tee-shirt were confused. It worked out though because most people thought it was "way cool" the cruise in folks were giving away free shirts. When asked about the knock-off tee-shirt and why those promoters didn’t work instead to help out with the group's events, the response was an inadequate “you don’t support local businesses.” Funny, the planning team thought it did, both in how participation was limited to promoting licensed town businesses and companies where event materials were purchased.
After the four car cruise in events, the bottom line: These were great fun, and the planning team and volunteers were terrific. All bills are paid, new friendships and business relationships have begun, and there’s still enough money to seed future events. Fun stuff is already planned for downtown again in just a few weeks and will benefit the museum. More hands to help out and sponsors are always welcomed.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, one sees that tenacity, integrity and putting aside any differences for a common good – Christiansburg – can accomplish much. Now, we’ll be watching as downtown construction continues with the courthouse project finally moving forward again, and as the town works to accumulate more streetscape funding, bit by bit. And so it goes.
As it was back in 1983, neighbors and community members working together can make great things happen. It just takes a little vision, some patience, and a whole lot of teamwork where competitive spirits are channeled for the good of Christiansburg.