The Town of Christiansburg's Comprehensive Plan references historic preservation numerous times.
Council members have stated numerous time that there were grants available in the past that property owners didn't access that would further historic preservation. This would have been about 10 years ago and now many more buildings could qualify as being "contributing" structures, qualifying y for possible federal, state or local incentives to help renovate them.
The town includes three registered historic districts, initiated by private citizens, but numerous zoning changes or conditional use permits have been granted over the years changing the character of these existing areas.
Preservation of historic structures -- buildings with some significance to local or national history or built more than 50 years ago -- is seen throughout Virginia and America as an economic engine, supportive of tourism development and something that sustains current resources and enhancing the quality of life for communities.
Monday, the town's appointed Planning Commission (absent one member and the town manager), heard from Virginia Department of Historic Resources representatives about existing programs and options for creating historic districts, historic district overlays, and preservation.
At the end of the presentation, there were no "next steps" discussed or substantive questions for the guests (beyond staffing impacts seen in other localities that embrace these initiatives). So is the Planning Commission now ready to adopt Historic District Overlay ordinances which would help preserve Christiansburg's heritage while providing economic stimulus to do this without impact to zoning by right?
This path has been traveled before, and headway will not occur without demonstrated leadership by town council.
The annual Wilderness Trail Festival, began by downtown merchants to recognize and celebrate our unique history, started 35 years ago. The Montgomery Museum, saving one significant structure and documenting local history, was established 25 years ago. The Christiansburg's Depot, in Cambria, was saved from demolition and restored 25 years ago, also.
The question now is what the Planning Commission will recommend to Town Council as regards Historic District Overlays? Support and expertise through a variety of programs, tax incentives, leadership and adapting success stories from other similar localities is available.
Historic districts, planning, development, redevelopment and revitalization, taxes and tourism are issues that affect the quality of life of town residents, today and in the future.
What steps will Town Council act upon, to spur tourism and economic development through preservation and revitalization of core business and residential districts? Only history will tell.