We don't need another superstore within 15 minutes of each other (there are already 3 in that radius). It is also DIRECTLY behind an elementary school and adjacent to a two-lane road...NO WALMART IN BLACKSBURG VIRGINIA!
Large retail stores on most sites in Blacksburg, regardless of the owner/operator, will likely cause major traffic congestion and considerable people flow through areas not designed to accomodate it. The friendly, easy-going attitude of the town is in jeopardy.
I support the proposed ordinance to help preserve and protect the character of this fine town. Remember to resist all of the big box incursions, not just this particular retailer.
The reasons against a WalMart far outweigh the reasons for one, i.e., safety (too close to a school), increased volume of traffic, loss of business for local businesses, and aesthetics.
We have a wal mart a mere 10 minute drive from Blacksburg. We don't need it and it would ruin our small town merchants. The extra few cents you pay at Heavner Hardware you would spend in gas driving to Home Depot. Buy local, Eat local, be local.
I agree with Nancy. Preserve the small town integrity of our downtown! If we get a Wal-Mart, there'll be nothing to separate us from every other small, uncultured, southern town in Virginia.
Putting a Wal-Mart in Blacksburg would be a terrible idea. It would ruin the unique, small-town feel of our college town, and there is already a Wal-Mart a few miles away in Christiansburg. For goodness sake, there's a BT bus that takes students directly to the C-Burg Wal-Mart! We should preserve Blacksburg's history and cultivate its local small businesses, not turn it into another big commercial shopping center.
Wal-Mart would ruin the feel of Blacksburg. I think this store would be very detrimental to the area in every way other than economically. Its not worth it.
I support the proposed ordinance 1450. There may be appropriate places for big box stores, but Blacksburg is not one of them. We need to provide incentives for smaller boutiques, cafes, and independent small businesses to thrive here.
We don't need to turn our great town into another Christiansburg-If you can't get to the C'burg, Dublin, Fairlawn, Salem, Roanoke, Pearisburg, or Princeton Wal-Marts then you have no need in going!Lets get something in town that doesn't sell junk!!
This is a good idea. We need to control this sort of development. Aside from potential taxes to the town, there is no upside to our residents. We can all drive to or ride the two town to Christiansburg and experience the downside of this sort of shopping as often as we wish already.
I can support a building of this size only if it is divided between several retail stores. We do not need a Wal-Mart sized store in Blacksburg, I can think of many other retail stores that could be put into the plan to give a more diverse mix.
Even if there are reasonable locations for businesses of this scale it town, special attention is needed to their placement for good development planning.
Christiansburg already possesses a Wal-Mart, making one here unecessary. I would much rather rely on small businesses to provide what we need than a big box store.
It is unnecessary and unthinkable that a store of this size be located in such close proximity to an elementary school and day care center, and one of the most established and historic neighborhoods in our community.
Any store the size of a WalMart Supercenter is completely inappropriate that close to the center of Blacksburg. I wish the Council could find more ways to support small business in Blacksburg and nurture the aesthetic appeal of our community.
I support Ordinance 1450 and do nt want any hugh companies coming into Blacksburg. I especially do not want one behind Margaret Beeks Elem School. I much prefer the original plan for the land behind Kroger's which included housing and smaller shops. That is much more in keeping with my values.
Walmarts are all over the area and the closest one to campus is only a five to ten minute drive down 460. That's well worth the small town feeling that Blacksburg provides now.
Support Ordinance 1450....the members of Town Council who have a problem with this ordinance need to find a way to craft an ordinance that protects Blacksburg from Big Box stores. The citizens of Blacksburg need your help. Some of you say this resolution will not be effective-If that is the case WRITE ONE THAT IS. You were voted into office on platforms ranging from Neighborhood protection to supporting Dowtown Business. Do not operate out of fear- It was your fear of "srip malls" that prompted the rezoning of the Rugby Field and now it is location for the worlds next Walmart. Craft ordinance 1450 into a useful ordiance-one that will bring better things to Blacksburg.
