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PROCESS: COMMUNITY INPUT

CHAPTER 1

Promoted on:  Study website  Social media platforms  Interviews with local news

Following the first public meeting, Blacksburg residents were invited to participate in an online survey to guide the Downtown Strategy. The survey included twenty-seven questions related to participants’ current use and future aspirations for Downtown. Approximately 750 residents completed the survey over a period of six weeks in December and January 2018. COMMUN I TY SURVEY Survey findings reinforce the importance of providing more capacity Downtown for housing, commercial space, and transportation systems. One of the main successes of the community survey was the high percentage of respondents who were non-students working in Blacksburg. Given that the student population is largely a transitory one, it was critical to hear from members of the community who will be in Blacksburg for the next ten to fifteen years and beyond. This allowed the consulting team to understand what needs to happen in Downtown to best serve those residents who will be there to experience it in the future. Survey respondents also evenly represented long-time residents of Blacksburg—in the community more than ten years—and newer residents. This indicates that the survey responses reflect a broad range of perspectives, both from those with a deep knowledge of Blacksburg’s history and evolution, as well as those with more recent experience living in other communities who may see untapped potential for innovative approaches. Su r v ey Res ponden t s

F i nd i ng s

Several key survey findings are presented on the facing page. There was near consensus that parking and traffic present Downtown’s major obstacles today, and that these are challenges that will only worsen as the town grows. There was also agreement that there are not enough housing options at the different price points needed to support a diverse population Downtown, and that the town should seek opportunities to increase and diversify its housing supply. Respondents also wanted more activities and amenities Downtown, specifically in the areas of non-student oriented shopping and dining. Preservation of Downtown’s historic character also emerged as a clear, shared priority. These responses confirmed that the plan must address how to increase Downtown’s capacity for housing, commercial space, and multi-modal transportation systems. The survey also asked respondents to think about what they consider to be the boundaries of “Downtown.” The resulting map indicates that while most respondents have a fairly narrow view of Downtown—primarily Clay Street to Turner Street, centered on Main Street—some community members have a more expansive view of Downtown, stretching farther in all directions. The districting framework presented in Chapters 4 and 5 demonstrates how a more expansive view of Downtown will better position the community to accomplish its future goals for the area.

27 questions on current and future use of Downtown

750 responses

65% were non-

students living and working in Blacksburg

45% Had lived in Blacksburg ten years or fewer

55% Had lived in Blacksburg more than ten years

17 Downtown Blacksburg Strategic Plan