The Sojourn Center is a charitable non-profit that has been gifted two parcels of land near Hightop Road on the south end of Blacksburg, two wooded acres between Warm Hearth and the hospital and bordered by the Huckleberry Trail.
The organization is intending to establish a seven-bed residential hospice there. Once constructed, it would be the hospice in the area and they’ve requested that the property be exempt from taxation by the town.
“The commonwealth of Virginia lets local governments exempt charitable non profits that provide services to the community and this entity qualifies for that exemption,” Town Attorney Larry Spencer told the Blacksburg Town Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting. The council approved the exemption that will be revisited every three years.
With no unfinished business and no citizen comments, council members announced community events, the progress of proposals that had come before them throughout the year, and awards won.
Vice Mayor Susan Anderson announced groundbreaking of what she called “the Habitat Houses,” seven houses to be built by Habitat for Humanity of the NRV on land gifted by neighboring Blacksburg Presbyterian Church providing affordable housing in the heart of town.
The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 20 at the corner of Church and Hemlock Streets. Council approved the building of the houses and their townhouse design earlier this year.
“It ought to be a fun time,” Anderson said.
In other announcements, Councilwoman Susan Mattingly announced that the Town of Blacksburg had received a platinum award from the Virginia Municipal League for its sustainability efforts.
“I’d like to thank Carol Davis and her great work for winning us that honor,” she said.
Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith let everyone know that the long awaited construction of the sidewalk on Hubbard will commence.
“I’m pleased and I know that many neighbors are pleased that the construction of the sidewalk on Hubbard Street has begun,” she said.
Hager-Smith listed a surprising number of impediments for such a seemingly short stretch of path including a slope, private lands to be crossed.
Then she gave an update on the town’s negotiations with the owners of the flagship old Blacksburg Middle School property.
“There were three parts of that process that need to be taken care of and we’re now working on the Development agreement,” Hager-Smith said, “which is the equivalent of a business contract, so that all parties understand who’s gonna [sic] do what in this agreement.”
So, we’ve exchanged drafts with the development team and. as of today, it remains a work in progress, but that’s where we are and we are feeling optimistic about it and we wanted to let people know.”
The council then moved to go into a closed meeting to receive advice from the town attorney about that.
The next Blacksburg Town Council meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23.
Regular meeting are held in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers in the Blacksburg Municipal Building (300 S Main St.).
