Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG – Blacksburg Town Council HAS approved Downtown Commercial Façade Program Guidelines.
The program offers incentives for local businesses needing exterior building improvements. The maximum grant award for qualified applicants to restore or maintain a Blacksburg business facade is up to $20,000.
A memo to the Blacksburg Town Council from Business Solutions Manager Angie Marcolini dated Feb. 18, 2025, reads “The Façade Grant Program regulations will help improve the aesthetics of the Downtown Commercial District, and to help stimulate reinvestment in commercial properties.”
Guidelines for the grant program include three different levels of funding. Level One is to be utilized for non-architectural elements such as painting and awnings, with a 20% reimbursement of up to $4,000 to the building owner. Level Two has a maximum reimbursement of 30% of the recipient’s costs up to $6,000 and can be applied to building exterior routine maintenance as well as ADA compliance expenses. Level Three can be used for either of the first two levels of improvements and additionally applied to costs from architectural improvements to windows, trim and other exterior details. Specific information about the program can be found on the www.blacksburg.gov website.
Also at the meeting, held Tuesday, Feb. 25, citizens expressed concerns about a proposed housing project at 801 North Main St. Blacksburg resident Laura Purcell said, “I understand that our community simply needs more bedrooms…however, this building is too tall, too dense, and too disruptive for this community.”
Leslie Harwood of Blacksburg also expressed disagreement with the proposed housing site.
“There are several reasons that I and others are concerned about the proposed development, including the size, scope, and parking issues,” Harwood said. “In 2019, Resolution 2F19 was passed and ultimately stated in part, student housing proposals in commercial districts should include significant square footage dedicated to commercial and office uses.”
Harwood also raised concerns about the proposed site focusing on student housing needs more than those of the local Blacksburg town residents. A need for affordable housing amid the current housing crisis is what the town should be working towards, she said.
The council also announced the appointment of Jason Karas to the Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission. Paul Lancaster previously had stepped down from the position requiring the appointment outside of the normal schedule.