Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 13, 1994 TAG: 9402150020
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-19 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But what about the folks who are already where they want to be? What about those businesses along South Main Street and Ramble Road that are where they want to operate?
The answers are mixed.
It depends on which side of the street, South Main Street, that is, you're on as to how concerned you are.
As they are drawn, the roads appear to accommodate Federal Mogul Corp. and Wolverine Gasket and Manufacturing Co., Blacksburg manufacturers with 900 employees between them.
"That would be a definite thank you," said Wolverine Plant Manager Al Guarino of the proposed exit ramp off of Alternative 3A that leads to Industrial Park Road.
Chris Christensen, personnel manager at Federal Mogul, also said it would be an asset.
3A and the exit ramp would get workers coming from parts of Christiansburg to work easier, and the road would help get the 35-40 trucks a day that come and go from the plants to the interstate quicker.
"I see nothing but pluses as far as 3A is concerned," Guarino said. "It doesn't impact us except for benefits."
On the other side of South Main, the mood is a little more wary, if not fearful.
Building the roads - 3A will come first, in four to five years; the smart road is still a question mark - will wipe out virtually all the businesses south of Industrial Park Road along the west side of South Main, Virginia Department of Transportation resident engineer Dan Brugh says.
That would include Hokie Honda, South Main Auto Service, Companion Animal Clinic and others.
Newly elected Del. Jim Shuler, a veterinarian who owns the the clinic, has consistently declined to comment on the matter, viewing it as a potential conflict of interest between his business and political pursuits.
Paul Duncan, who owns Hokie Honda, says he ready for whatever the highway planners decide to do, when they do it.
If he had his druthers, he'd like to stay in Blacksburg, where his customers know where he's located. But, "if worse comes to worse we've bought that piece of property out near the [New River Valley] mall," and could relocate.
Brugh says the department will begin purchasing property to acquire right of way in about two years. The department expects to expend $15 million to16 million.
"As long as they're fair, I don't have any problem about it," Duncan said. "I wouldn't fight the state. You have to have progress."
But for David Reynolds, who owns the auto service shop, the concerns are more vexing.
"It's going to be a severe hardship because we're going to have to totally relocate," Reynolds said. "We don't have a place to go right now."
Reynolds worries about how the state will compensate him for his business, because he doesn't own the land or building, but rents. To purchase land and a new building would cost upwards of $1 million, he estimates.
"What I've got to look at is what they would pay to relocate," Reynolds said. "I don't like it a bit."
Brugh says Reynolds "won't be left out in the cold" when it comes to right-of-way acquisition.
Still, "I'm sure he's [Reynolds] a little bit worried," says Johnnie Layman Jr. "He's got a great business going there." Layman owns the building the auto service shop is in. His father owns several of the surrounding buildings.
Layman's sentiments run similar to Duncan's.
"As far as 3A goes ... I think that it is justified, even if it does take the buildings," he said. The only problem he has is that the property needs upgrading, and he's uncertain what he should do without knowing the state's timetable.
"There's improvements I need to make ... but I don't want to ... if they're going to take it," he said.
"I certainly want to make some money off it."
by CNB