Business Address:
Matrix Gallery fine crafts
115 N. Main Street
Blacksburg VA 24060
S
Sandra Gaylord
9 years ago
We need to replace Harding Avenue Elementary School now. The open floor plan has been proven to be a supremely bad idea for schools. The county already owns the BHS property.
M
MacDonald Swan
9 years ago
This is a brilliant idea. The county would be stupid not to invest in itself like this.
R
Rehana Hunter
9 years ago
I'm an alumni of Blacksburg High School and would rather an elementary school be built in place of the high school than developmental properties.
C
Courtney Williams
9 years ago
The local businesses struggle as it is to maintain profit amongst growth of new shopping areas and chain restaurants. Blacksburg has always been a "small town with a big sound" yet I have seen more commercial and mainstream establishments rapidly appear in our uniquely intimate community in recent years. Please allow this property to remain a small piece of Blacksburg's history instead of becoming yet another neon sign.
F
Freda Ascot
9 years ago
A very reasonable and enlightened petition! I agree.
E
Eamon O'Meara
9 years ago
I'm a reporter for WDBJ7 based in Blacksburg. Do you want to voice your opinion on the property? I'm at the old BHS building now and will be for a couple more hours. Come see me if you want to make your voice/opinion heard!
J
James Knight
9 years ago
Recreational facilities to serve the needs of our citizens, especially our young people, are in dire need of expansion and upgrade.
R
Rebecca Jones
9 years ago
***IMPORTANT: If you are able to attend this meeting next Monday at which the property sale will be discussed:
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the Montgomery County School Board on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m in Multipurpose Room 2 of the Montgomery County Government Center in Christiansburg
(also, the geographical location showing up on some posts seems wacky - it pulled up that I am in Salem in my previous comment, although I am in Blacksburg)
A
Anna Dalton
9 years ago
Make BHS property serve recreational needs of the community. Let's get past the divisions.
R
Rebecca Jones
9 years ago
Blacksburg and the surrounding communities desperately need more parks and recreation facilities. Given that the town and county are promoting themselves as retirement destinations and are seeking to attract and retain young people and families, the long-term economic benefits of enriching our assets should be clear. Entrepreneurs seeking to start businesses here, and companies considering re-locating to Montgomery County will pay attention to our resources and also the local politics which are informing them. Why would people stay here or relocate from other places which have much better community assets if some of our elected officials are short-sighted and anti-progress and openly hostile at times to Blacksburg and its citizens. We live close to the old BHS property and make heavy use of the track and fields as well as the parks & rec facilities across the street. In terms of older adults -- the current Community Center is severely lacking. A town like Blacksburg should have a dedicated senior center, whether a separate building or part of one. If the town can add another facility on the old BHS property, this would be an ideal opportunity to increase the services to the growing older population, not just in town but older adults from the surrounding communities in this county, both for well adults and those needing supportive services. We have the unique opportunity to enrich this community with this purchase. Why are some of our elected county officials so intransigent when it comes to working with the town to pursue long-stated goals of Blacksburg to grow and develop? It is very disappointing to once again have some county officials thumb their noses at a subset of county residents -- we ALL are county residents!
S
Sara Madsen
9 years ago
We live just around the corner from the old high school and it would be so disappointing if that property were to be used for ANOTHER housing complex. My daughter goes to Harding Ave Elementary (as will my son when he's old enough), and the school is in desperate need of space. Classrooms are loud because of the "open" concept, teachers have supplies stashed where ever they can find space...why not save that land for the inevitable need of a new elementary school? OR why not expand the rec and aquatic centers? I swim regularly, but I drive to the Christiansburg Aquatic Center because I know I'll be able to get a lane to swim in. The Blacksburg Aquatic Center is small, crowded, and I have even noticed that the roof leaks (luckily it leaks right into the pool). How about a new playground?? Caboose Park is so old and slightly dangerous (anyone notice the nails hanging down under one of the wooded bridges? Someone's going to get scalped one of these days) PLEASE don't sell this land to a developer. PLEASE use it for BLACKSBURG residents, not for Virginia Tech students. PLEASE.
J
Jeff Pickett
9 years ago
The Blacksburg Partnership Collaborative for the Arts has been meeting with the varied local artistic communities to discuss "what you need". The biggest thing is a venue. Using this space as a Community Arts center would keep the outdoor recreational space and add another level of recreation to the community while provided a space that all local artists, performers, musicians etc can use. Costs for the center could be off site by concessions sales, ticket fees, subscription sales, etc
C
Christian James
9 years ago
School board: I know the money is important to run our schools. But it is not everything. People move to this area because of quality of life. Don't throw away a huge asset.
E
Eileen
9 years ago
As an alumni that graduated from the old BHS, I feel that having it rebuilt as a new elementary school and maintaining its recreational facilities is far better use. While I understand Blacksburg is growing and more housing is needed, establishing a new elementary school to handle the population growth is far wiser than waiting till the need arises and gets delayed and the existing schools get overloaded.
P
Patrice Hart-Schubert
9 years ago
In addition to the listed, reasons, we must not forget the long term Comprehesive plan has always shown this property as being zoned for civic use.
F
frederic girardeau-montaut
9 years ago
Featured
This property should be used for Parcs & Rec purposes. It is currently well used throughout the year, which shows there is a need for it. We already have enough new residential/commercial construction in Blacksburg.
A
Amanda Roeschke
9 years ago
We don't need any additional apartments or shops in the town of Bburg. We do need a safe place to walk and get exercise. Thank you.
N
Nigel Norman
9 years ago
Preserve this property as I was a classmate of one of the few remaining graduating classes to attend school on that property; let alone have so many lasting memories that are preserved with the athletic facilities that still remain. #ClassOf2006
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
Please allow the Town of Blacksburg to purchase the property on which the old high school stands. We need to preserve the patch of woods, the recreational areas, and the open space--and get rid of the derelict and increasingly dangerous building.
Business Address: Matrix Gallery fine crafts 115 N. Main Street Blacksburg VA 24060
We need to replace Harding Avenue Elementary School now. The open floor plan has been proven to be a supremely bad idea for schools. The county already owns the BHS property.
This is a brilliant idea. The county would be stupid not to invest in itself like this.
I'm an alumni of Blacksburg High School and would rather an elementary school be built in place of the high school than developmental properties.
The local businesses struggle as it is to maintain profit amongst growth of new shopping areas and chain restaurants. Blacksburg has always been a "small town with a big sound" yet I have seen more commercial and mainstream establishments rapidly appear in our uniquely intimate community in recent years. Please allow this property to remain a small piece of Blacksburg's history instead of becoming yet another neon sign.
A very reasonable and enlightened petition! I agree.
I'm a reporter for WDBJ7 based in Blacksburg. Do you want to voice your opinion on the property? I'm at the old BHS building now and will be for a couple more hours. Come see me if you want to make your voice/opinion heard!
Recreational facilities to serve the needs of our citizens, especially our young people, are in dire need of expansion and upgrade.
***IMPORTANT: If you are able to attend this meeting next Monday at which the property sale will be discussed: The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the Montgomery County School Board on Monday, January 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m in Multipurpose Room 2 of the Montgomery County Government Center in Christiansburg (also, the geographical location showing up on some posts seems wacky - it pulled up that I am in Salem in my previous comment, although I am in Blacksburg)
Make BHS property serve recreational needs of the community. Let's get past the divisions.
Blacksburg and the surrounding communities desperately need more parks and recreation facilities. Given that the town and county are promoting themselves as retirement destinations and are seeking to attract and retain young people and families, the long-term economic benefits of enriching our assets should be clear. Entrepreneurs seeking to start businesses here, and companies considering re-locating to Montgomery County will pay attention to our resources and also the local politics which are informing them. Why would people stay here or relocate from other places which have much better community assets if some of our elected officials are short-sighted and anti-progress and openly hostile at times to Blacksburg and its citizens. We live close to the old BHS property and make heavy use of the track and fields as well as the parks & rec facilities across the street. In terms of older adults -- the current Community Center is severely lacking. A town like Blacksburg should have a dedicated senior center, whether a separate building or part of one. If the town can add another facility on the old BHS property, this would be an ideal opportunity to increase the services to the growing older population, not just in town but older adults from the surrounding communities in this county, both for well adults and those needing supportive services. We have the unique opportunity to enrich this community with this purchase. Why are some of our elected county officials so intransigent when it comes to working with the town to pursue long-stated goals of Blacksburg to grow and develop? It is very disappointing to once again have some county officials thumb their noses at a subset of county residents -- we ALL are county residents!
We live just around the corner from the old high school and it would be so disappointing if that property were to be used for ANOTHER housing complex. My daughter goes to Harding Ave Elementary (as will my son when he's old enough), and the school is in desperate need of space. Classrooms are loud because of the "open" concept, teachers have supplies stashed where ever they can find space...why not save that land for the inevitable need of a new elementary school? OR why not expand the rec and aquatic centers? I swim regularly, but I drive to the Christiansburg Aquatic Center because I know I'll be able to get a lane to swim in. The Blacksburg Aquatic Center is small, crowded, and I have even noticed that the roof leaks (luckily it leaks right into the pool). How about a new playground?? Caboose Park is so old and slightly dangerous (anyone notice the nails hanging down under one of the wooded bridges? Someone's going to get scalped one of these days) PLEASE don't sell this land to a developer. PLEASE use it for BLACKSBURG residents, not for Virginia Tech students. PLEASE.
The Blacksburg Partnership Collaborative for the Arts has been meeting with the varied local artistic communities to discuss "what you need". The biggest thing is a venue. Using this space as a Community Arts center would keep the outdoor recreational space and add another level of recreation to the community while provided a space that all local artists, performers, musicians etc can use. Costs for the center could be off site by concessions sales, ticket fees, subscription sales, etc
School board: I know the money is important to run our schools. But it is not everything. People move to this area because of quality of life. Don't throw away a huge asset.
As an alumni that graduated from the old BHS, I feel that having it rebuilt as a new elementary school and maintaining its recreational facilities is far better use. While I understand Blacksburg is growing and more housing is needed, establishing a new elementary school to handle the population growth is far wiser than waiting till the need arises and gets delayed and the existing schools get overloaded.
In addition to the listed, reasons, we must not forget the long term Comprehesive plan has always shown this property as being zoned for civic use.
This property should be used for Parcs & Rec purposes. It is currently well used throughout the year, which shows there is a need for it. We already have enough new residential/commercial construction in Blacksburg.
We don't need any additional apartments or shops in the town of Bburg. We do need a safe place to walk and get exercise. Thank you.
Preserve this property as I was a classmate of one of the few remaining graduating classes to attend school on that property; let alone have so many lasting memories that are preserved with the athletic facilities that still remain. #ClassOf2006
Please allow the Town of Blacksburg to purchase the property on which the old high school stands. We need to preserve the patch of woods, the recreational areas, and the open space--and get rid of the derelict and increasingly dangerous building.