ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210114
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: BOB MORGAN THE ROANOKE TIMES
Arkansas-based retailer has never confirmed its interest in the site, but the path is now smoothed.
The Giles County Board of Supervisors rezoned 126 acres of open land beside the county high school Thursday night for business development.
The supervisors' 5-0 vote probably clears the way for enlarging and reshaping downtown Pearisburg - possibly for a Wal-Mart as has been widely rumored - but in any event for something.
"If I wanted to put a store on that land, I'd go ahead and do it now," said Town Manager Kenneth Vittum, even though numerous steps remain. The county land must be annexed to the town, with public meetings set for June 2. The Pearisburg Town Council must then formally vote on the rezoning, expected early next year. The council has endorsed the rezoning.
In a dramatic appeal at the heavily attended Board of Supervisors meeting, Diana Johnson, sister of landowner Ted Johnson Jr., recounted a long list of downtown businesses that had closed their doors. She said a larger tax base was needed "to bring computers into the schoolrooms," and asked the board "to help Teddy."
People began arriving for the 6 p.m. meeting as early as 5:30. Knots of people in the parking lot asked, "Are you going to the Wal-Mart meeting?"
Following the board's vote, Ted Johnson, who did not address the meeting, went home to walk his dog. He said he did not know how the Wal-Mart rumors started. Sometimes landowners are approached through intermediaries, he said, adding that he now feels free to proceed with development plans as a result of the board's vote.
Vittum said Thursday night's actions reflect a feeling of optimism about the future of Pearisburg: "When I came here nine years ago, there were many vacant buildings in town. Now they are occupied by small businesses."
He does not share the feeling sometimes expressed that a Wal-Mart or other development projects in town would hurt existing businesses. "We have a new Rite-Aid opened, two Food Lions, the hardware store is expanding," he said. "People are optimistic."
In addition to Johnson's land, which lies between U.S. 460 and U.S. 460 Business, east of the downtown area and adjacent to Giles County High School, Vittum said a total of 970 acres of county land in three different areas would be considered for annexation to the town at the June 2 meeting.
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