Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 10, 1991 TAG: 9103080466
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At my new "Office Hours at Lunch " I asked citizens their thoughts on the impact of county government on downtown Christiansburg.
Like a family whose members have diverse jobs and hobbies, different people have different desires for the downtown. I heard from those representing business, historical architecture and arts interests as well as county services.
I will be host for another session Monday, noon-1 p.m. at Old Town Deli, and I invite you to come discuss your views on this issue.
The Board of Supervisors is now planning how to use the property along East Main Street near the courthouse and is trying to solve county government's need for expanded space. We are especially aware of the need to expand the health department offices. We are aware that meeting these goals will dictate changes in the downtown area.
The people who talked about their concerns had strong feelings about the area.
A longtime county resident suggested that now is a time to consider redefining the function of downtown.
The concept of a downtown as a retail shopping area may be gone, said Jim Dorsett. Christiansburg has become a place for local government, insurance and finance.
Business representatives added that there isn't enough room for them to expand. Several businesses have already announced they are relocating so they can grow. They plan to keep their locations in the town, but they will have part of their operations outside the town so they can serve their customers conveniently and provide for their employees.
Even those in the group who suggested new buildings as a solution for expansion were aware of downtown Christiansburg's historic architecture - particularly the Courthouse Annex. They felt it would be a disservice to the community to destroy structures that represent other eras.
Barbara Ann Capps, known for her work in promoting the arts, felt that using the structures for museums and galleries could save buildings that were no longer appropriate for business and government use, such as the Annex. This alternative had been successful in many communities, she said.
Nell Frederickson, who also works with the New River Valley Arts Council, talked about how this organization, which brings together fine arts and and performing arts, could be a catalyst for this kind of activity.
The concern that brought them all together as a family was that short-term uses not be a deterrent to long-term planning.
All at the discussion favored the long-term perspective to maintain the integrity of downtown and to consider aesthetic costs as well as financial.
Montgomery County has an extensive presence in the town. In addition to the courthouse, there are county offices in the Annex; the human service building on Roanoke Road, the health department and the old library building, both on Radford Road and Depot Street, as well as a parking lot on Pepper Street.
Hearing citizens talk about what they would like to see happen to the county property gives me a better perspective on directions the board could take.
by CNB