The editorial published in the Roanoke Time entitled "Money isn't everything in Blacksburg" (Sept. 16) was misguided, and it over-simplified issues which continue to keep the future use of the old Blacksburg Middle School in limbo.
Blacksburg leaders are responsible for keeping sight of the greater good of its residents, NOT the board of supervisors who must balance what is best for all county citizens. The vision of dollar signs as relates to the old school property was created, and is controlled by, Blacksburg town council whose residents decide what the character of town should be.
Town officials have indeed coveted this public asset, as demonstrated by the property even being mentioned in its comprehensive plan.
Town dialogue about this property should have been limited to zoning possibilities, period. It is notable their plan is silent on the particulars for how to develop any other public -- or private -- property located within the town limits. Specifically, you don't see any VT properties listed in that comprehensive plan; nor do you see the old Christiansburg Middle School (formerly the high school) in that town's comprehensive plan.
Given the long-standing directive for town management to recruit more retail, the subsequent debate about this property and the "North Main big-box fight" a few blocks up the street is not particularly surprising. The editorial's reference is actually about development on South Main, and known as the "First & Main" project. Incidentally, it places significant commercial development -- and related traffic congestion -- immediately adjacent to an elementary school (Margaret Beeks).
The town's efforts to bring "retail development" (ie, major retail chains), previously resulted in a huge commercial proposal for the old school property, which now makes the First & Main project look small by comparison.
This new "fight" is a direct result of Blacksburg's eagerness to increase its tax base -- not, as has been previously reported, ensuring its citizens can buy socks or underwear downtown. Just because the town council was recently schooled in the nuances of rezoning without sufficient data or controls, their continued hesitancy to rezone the old school property doesn't justify labeling the supervisors as greedy.
However the First & Main development plays out, one could expect a positive effect for Blacksburg's revenues, negative for Christiansburg's -- assuming several existing retailers simply shift their business location from one town to another, as has been reported -- and neutral for the county.
After the construction dust settles, a percent of state sales taxes collected within the county will still be apportioned back to the county, which then shares these funds with both towns. Interestingly, this distribution is based on K-12 student enrollment -- even though neither town contributes financially for public education -- yet both significantly affect the cost of public education through control of residential development. But that's an entirely different dialogue.
In its letter to the county, Blacksburg signaled its preference for the old middle school: higher residential density than current zoning provides or mixed-use development.
Typically, development concepts begin with zoning as the means for assessing market value, projecting potential tax revenues, and estimating expenses for providing public services which are a result of the project.
It is not a matter of how much money the board of supervisors will accept for this property. The stumbling block remains as it has been since 2002 -- zoning.
Ineffective utilization of this public asset affects more than Blacksburg residents.
It is linked to the quality of K-12 education and therefore to all county taxpayers.
Locals should press elected officials to find a workable solution now, shifting this property out of limbo and onto the tax rolls.