The petition
We, the undersigned, are against Ordinance 1449, an ordinance rezoning 3.58 acres at the west end of Warren St. from RM-27 (low density multi-unit residential), to PR (planned residential). This ordinance would allow the condiminium complex called The Legends to be built, displacing residents of the 500 block of Warren Street.
This condiminum complex will have 148 units costing from $350,000 to over $700,000. 18 condos have already been pre-leased even though the complex has yet to be approved by the Town Council and the Blacksburg Planning Commission. The Collegiate Times reports that “most of the condo projects are focused on alumni returning for sporting events that would rather stay the night than have to face a long drive home after the game.” With this information in mind, we have the following disputes with “The Legends”:
- “The Legends” have dealt with the current tenants of Stadium apartments in a less than courteous way. The current landlord, in cooperation with “The Legends,” asked residents to leave by May 31st even though many of the current tenants have leases that run past that date. Neither the landlord nor the company building “The Legends” have provided any information to the tenants about their legal rights to stay on the property. Many of the tenants who are confused by the entire situation, feel that they are being kicked out of their apartments.
- Approximately 90-100 residents, many of whom are students, are being displaced without fair compensation. Hotel rooms and storage for furniture have been offered, but these offers in no way compare to living in an apartment that offers more space, a desired location, and a preferred living situation.
- Students live here year-round. Owners of “The Legends” will use their condos for sporting events and special events. The majority of the time, these condos will be unused. These condos provide an ideal location for alumni who will be here for a few weekends out of the year, replacing apartments that provide students with an ideal location who will be here for at least 9 months out of the year. Students, who will spend more time here, should be given the advantage of location.
- The physical structure of the condiminum complex would not match the rest of the community (the size of the structure is comparable to the size of an academic building). In addition, a complex directed towards alumni would not match the energy and personality of a community mostly inhabited by students.
- One of the current concerns in Blacksburg is providing more quality low-incoming housing. This project does not fall in line with one of Blacksburg’s greatest, and most immediate needs. Blacksburg should be focusing on meeting its needs before filling neighborhoods with unnecessary luxuries.
- At the last public hearing, “The Legends” spokesperson called our neighborhood a “renter’s neighborhood.” He claimed that bringing in “The Legends” would add a new dynamic to our neighborhood – ownership. “The Legends” fails to see that not only is it a renter’s community, it is a student community. Students cannot afford ownership which is why many of them choose to rent. “The Legends” will replace Stadium Apartments, an affordable option for students.
- “The Legends” spokesperson claims that they are targeting wealthy alumni because they are the ones who contribute the most financially to Virginia Tech. Providing luxury condos for these alumni may encourage them to get more involved in the school and possibly lead them to give more to the school. While this may be true, if “The Legends” truly cares about Virginia Tech, then it should care about the alumni and the students. Students are the most integral component to any university. Displacing students just so that the alumni “that would rather stay the night than have to face a long drive home after the game” will have a place to stay does not demonstrate care for Virginia Tech and its students.
- If alumni desire luxury in Blacksburg, they have a wealth of options. The Collegiate Times reports that “the Collegiate Inn is spending $3.5 million on renovations to become Blacksburg’s first hotel-condo by fall 2007. What’s more, Colosseum, a six-floor, $60 million sports luxury condominium hotel is planned to be built on South Main Street by 2009.” How many luxury condos does Blacksburg need?
- Most importantly, we are not opposed to renovation or updating Stadium Apartments or any other surrounding properties in the neighborhood. Our hope is that any plans for renovation or reconstruction would demonstrate respect for the current members of this neighborhood. Students have found a place here and will fight to keep it.
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