AdvanceChristiansburg

Being a working individual, why can't committee meetings and Planning Commission meet either at night or on a Saturday when more people could attend. Then the citizens of Christiansburg maybe would/could become more involved. These committees never publish their minutes on the Town website so public even knows what is being discussed/decided. I was glad to see someone step forward to run against the Mayor. My one concern is that there is a continual building stampede with no concern for the infrastructure of the Town's capacity to handle this growth - traffic, schools, etc. Another concern - the Aquatic Center - more and more money being spent on this one project. After reading the article in RT, how much of the $17 million has been done by Town employees and how much to contractor - still with no opening date. What does the Advisory Board do since there are no minutes posted? Thanks for this forum. Hope people will use it.

Restes - Thanks. You have several questions and observations; I'll try and answer your questions:

1. Like most communities, the Town does have a number of committees that meet both during the day and in the evening. Planning Commission does usually meet during the day, on Mondays at 4p (or 3p if agenda is long). The agendas and minutes of Planning Commission meetings from October 2006 to present are posted on the town's website. Likewise, Town Council agendas and minutes are also posted here. The town's new website provides for e-mail notification of all public meetings, and you may sign up to receive these notices by going to www.christiansburg.org and clicking the "Notify Me" button on the splash page. Some committee meetings, like the regular Street Committee meetings, are in the evening (7p on first and third Tuesdays).

2. I believe the prime contractor for the Aquatic Center (Lionberger Construction) is under contract for ~$13.8M. There was also a separate paving contract (Adams Construction I think) for site paving, drainage and concrete work for parking/access that was around $1M. The balance of work (mainly bulk earthwork and site preparation) was accomplished by town forces.

3. The Aquatic Center Advisory Commission has worked diligently on a wide variety of issues, including developing recommendations to Council on membership and usage fees, hours of operation, and program policies for the new department. This group is comprised of an excellent cross section of citizens, staff, and council liason Jim Vanhoozier with complementary expertise and background knowledge. They've done a good job wrestling with the gritty details of getting the Aquatics Program ready to go.

Evidently, you haven't checked the Town website. There are no "minutes" for the Planning Commission for any meetings in the year 2010. The "minutes" for the Town Council meeting of 2/2/10 (approved at the 2/16/10 meeting) are not posted either. No minutes for any other committees are posted. Doesn't the Council want to see what committees are doing and also let the citizens know also? Evidently not!!!

Restes:
Your initial comments prompted me to check the town website, which is where I got the provided information. The most recently approved Town Council Meeting Minutes are routinely posted with Agendas for the next upcoming meeting, which means that the 16 Feb 2010 minutes will be posted simultaneously with the Agenda for the 16 March 2010 Meeting; this will be on Wednesday 10 March 2010. You are correct in noting that the Planning Commission Minutes are a bit behind; I'll check into this. This being said, the town has made significant progress in getting this type of information out to the public from where we were three years ago. I also believe the commitment is in place to see that we continue to improve as we go along.

Brad, you will find that there are a lot of missing Planning Commission Minutes. I noted this when I did my first FOIA request in 2008 and have repeatedly mentioned it to Planning Director, Town Council Members, and more blog articles than bears recalling. It is a long-term problem and has had me worry a great deal about what information the Town Council was actually getting. Good luck getting anything done, I have had multiple promises that these would be updated and it has never happened. This would not be an issue if the Planning Commission simply read and approved their minutes like the Town Council does. But, as I was told the Planning Commission does not have any bylaws and thus no requirement for doing this. How accurate are minutes of meetings that occurred 2, 4, or 6 years ago and have never been typed up going to be? Fortunately, I have several years worth of recordings to review. Also, Planning Commission Minutes are required to include everything...they are not allowed to be as short and concise as the Town Council Minutes.I would love to see the Town website being used to keep citizens informed, and I hope these minutes will be updated soon.
Thanks!

Carol - Thanks. I agree that the posted records of the PC meetings should be thorough and accurate. I'm passing this along for action. Brad

Hi Brad
I'm fairly new to this website, so please forgive me if I have completely missed what is going on. I am, however NOT new to Christiansburg. I have lived here since 1980 and have seen a lot of changes around this wonderful city. I would like to have something explained to me though. What in the world is the reasoning behind those HUGE sidewalks at the square!? In my opinion, not only do we not need them, but we now have lost more of what we need--more road space! Can someone please explain to me why that happened? And I see that it is happening in front of the Town building too! I mean--really, is this some kind of mandate from the state or something? I'm really confused and a little frustrated.
Thanks for taking the time to speak to this issue.

S Spencer -
Thanks for 'dropping by'; your thoughts are welcome. The planning for the downtown streetscape/beautification took place in the late 1990's over a 2-3 year period. As I understand it, about a dozen and a half different alternatives were considered in all. Based on the input received through a number of public meetings, the present plan was adopted. The wider sidewalks and curb bumpouts provide several benefits including a more pedestrian-friendly environment, traffic calming, and additional open/greenspace along the corridor. The number of travel and auxiliary (turn) lanes was preserved; the lanes were just narrowed. The narrower lanes also discourage larger trucks (tractor trailers) from using this route (they can still safely maneuver for deliveries, etc. but the new layout will result in fewer big rigs barelling along the Roanoke Street-East Main-North Franklin movement).

On-street parking is now better defined and visually broken up with periodic curb bumpouts and street trees, which are common tools in downtown renovation projects to create an updated and welcoming environment. Last but not least, burying the overhead utilities greatly enhances visual appeal and showcases storefronts, benches, and "pedestrian-scale" amenities. So hopefully in this part of town, the benefits of narrowing the roadway (although the lanes are still 12' wide, the same as an interstate travel lane) can be seen as a net positive. Thanks again for your comments, and I hope this is helpful.
Brad

I read response to S Spencer about pedestrian-friendly environment but the Town has no "plans" to have things for pedestrians to come downtown for - where are there any incentives for business' to open?

Oh, well at least now I understand a little more about what is going on, thanks. Not sure I agree that the sidewalks need to be THAT wide, but, oh well, they are better than the previous ones and I do like the fact that IF it will help keep the "big rigs" from coming into town, then I'm all for that! Right now, I'm not so sure about the traffic calming part of it all because I see a lot of frazzled nerves when you come through the square right now--maybe that will come after all of the construction is finished. By burying the overhead utilities, am I thinking that you are going to put traffic lights on the side or did I just misunderstand that. Not sure I get which utilities you are speaking of.
This is really so very helpful and I feel like you are trying to keep us informed and a part of the town. I do care about my town and being that I pay both town and county taxes, I feel like I have the right to know what is going on. Thanks for taking the time to explain these things to me Brad.

S Spencer
Thanks for the follow-up note. The overhead utilities that were buried include electric power (AEP), and telecommunications (possibly Verizon and maybe cable TV). Basically everything that hangs from the "power poles" is being buried with the streetscape projects. It's one of those little things that makes a big difference as far as appearance goes.
Regards, Brad

I was born a rised in C,burg. I've watched the town change. All our young people are leaving C,burg.There are improvements being made to the town but no jobs are being created here in this town. All there is in this town are car lots and resturants.How can you have a town with no people left,local people,people who know the history of this town. We use to have carnivals and events in summer for the young and old to get out the house.Business would let carnivals set up in their parking lots to draw people into the stores and folks couldn't wait to go.The young and old have no where to gather,meet, and socialize.They roll the streets up a 8:00PM. I was on my way home one night at 2:00am, a cop stopped me and wanted to know what I was doing out at that time of night. I was shocked! I old enough to be out when ever I want!Me and my friends have to always go to Roanoke if we want to find something to do. Who are making these rules? If Christiansburg has entertainment it may bring trouble.We need jobs and entertainment in this town. This town not Blacksburg, not centered around Tech all the time! I'm from Christiansburg. We need to keep all local citizens here.
Why can't you guys get together and discuse these subjects. Why are we getting a new Courthouse? Whats wrong with the old one?Why can they take that money and create something for the local folks?What jobs is the new courhouse gonna create? Nothing! Only peolple with high education can get.It bothers me! I'm 37 and there is nothing in this town anymore.It's sad. You should get out and talk to the regular people. Talk to me and can tell how alot of my friends and family feel. I vote every year! And we do need a new Mayor! Come on he didn't make a good principal. The people he taught are now the citzens that are voting!We know how it was in school under him. Don't get me wrong he maybe ok now, but us kids wasn't so happy! And what has he done?What did he do then? I really glad I found this forum. thanks for your time.

A comment on the new sidewalks. Who's going to walk on them? Everytime someone goes out to walk the police is gotta stop you and want to know what you are doing. I got a friend that worked at DG market and she was walking home in front of the courthouse, she still had her uniform on, in the daytime hours. A cop came out and asked her for an ID and wanted to know why she was walking,and where she was going! What does it matter what the town looks like if you can't walk down them.
One more thing! Why can't they put a bathroom at the playground near the Armory, the playground on depot street has one?We have needed one there for years and no ones seems to care!

Dreama -
No doubt the town has changed through the years, and will continue to do so. The goal is to change for the better. The town has a business friendly environment, which is one of our strengths for creating jobs and having lower property tax rates than neighboring communities. Christiansburg Industrial Park is now fully developed, and Falling Branch Commerce Center is positioned and being aggressively marketed for new industry. Our retail market is regionally recognized as well. With added focus and commitment to our downtown areas (Central Business District and Cambria), and event/tourism capture (think special downtown events, Harkrader Complex, Aquatic Center, Antiques Corridor, and a farmers market??), our local economy will be more comprehensive and self-sustaining. A "no business left behind" focus.

Reality Check on Jobs:
December 2009 Unemployment: US Avg = 9.7%, Virginia Avg. = 6.7%, New River Valley Avg. = 7.6%, Montgomery County 6.4%.

I'm not sure what to say about the experiences you describe with law enforcement (police, sheriff?). The police department is very well managed and is doing a great job expanding community-based policing efforts (caring then enforcing), and overall responsiveness/professional operations. My observations and gut feelings are regularly reinforced with positive feedback from the community in the mentioned areas.

Room for improvement? Always. Hopefully we'll increasingly retain our next generation through job creation and by being the kind of town that meets the changing needs of our citizens and is ultimately one that people think twice (or three times) about before leaving.
Brad

Brad,

As a frequent walker and jogger, I am amazed at the lack of sidewalks and CROSSWALKS in the mall/460/114 area. Any sidewalks that are there are the result of newer development which was required to provide them. There is no consistent sidewalk path that one can take and be safe. Walking on 114 (by the tracks) is a very dangerous trek, but one I must make if I'm heading to that area. This is the best place to cross to the Walmart side though.

It seems that Christiansburg has no knowledge of what a crosswalk is (at least in this area). Here is a url: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedestrian_crossing you can share with the roads department which describes crosswalks.
It would seem the least they could do is put the white lines across the streets at the major intersections. Is there any plans to at least do that? I know sidewalks will never be built until new buildings are built or the roads are redone. Try walking next to the Roanoke Times building en route to the Dollar Tree and let me know how safe you feel. Walk down Pepper's Ferry with traffic whizzing by and let me know how safe you feel. Walk down Franklin Street by Ryans with traffic flying by and let me know how safe you feel. With a new Hotel going in at Walmart, you will have more pedestrian traffic in that area. In the newspaper article this morning the developer said he was excited about building in this area because people would have shopping and eating establishments to visit. If only they could walk to them safely.
Additionally, Stafford Drive has had traffic increase significantly since the development of Staffords Farm which has provided a thorough fare from Belmont Estates to Stafford Drive. Stafford Drive is a very narrow road that was not built for the amount of traffic it now handles. Is the any plans to widen it?

Thanks for your time.

B,. MacInnis -
Thanks for pitching a softball. As Andy Griffith would say, "You're exactly 100% right." I couldn't agree with you more, and this reality was one of the big motivators to run for council in the first place.

We have a great town. We've done a great job with our "inside stuff" - like the Recreation Center, Harkrader Sports Complex, and the Aquatic Center that will be coming on line this summer. But as we've grown, we have not kept pace with the times on our "outside stuff" - like bikeways/walkways, sidewalks, parks, and public open spaces. As a result, we find ourselves isolated and heavily dependent on vehicular mobility. I jog and walk the very sections of Route 114 regularly and there's not a time that I don't think 'this is absurd'. And you know what, there's no excuse for it. We can and must do better. People need more choices. A person's two choices for getting from Point A to Point B in town are, for the most part: 1) get in your car or 2) stare death in the face by trying to walk or bike.

In considering this issue, these types of facilities are a lot like the public water and sewer issues were 2-3 decades ago ... yes, there's a cost to provide them, but in an urbanized area I believe most people in town clearly appreciate the value that these facilities offer. This is to say that if we begin requiring such facilities from ourselves and from people doing business in town by providing housing, then we will eventually have a community that is more cohesive, livable, and attractive in which to live. But as you note, we're no where close to that. This is the bad news.

The good news is that hope is on the way. The Huckleberry Trail extension is now under construction to Route 114, and I believe that within 3 years we will have this extended to the Recreation Center. We will then move ahead to the downtown/Central Business Disstrict with it. With this recreational spine in place, the spinoff benefit will be huge as sidewalks and multi-use paths connect to it creating a wider network of connectivity. The sidewalk issue is coming up again next Tuesday, 23 March 2010 from 4p to 7p at town hall as the council and planning commission consider new ordinance requirements for providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities on all new developments in residential zones (the present ordinance only requires sidewalks in commercial zones; the sidewalks you note in some neighborhoods have been voluntarily provided by the developer). I am hopeful that council will act favorably in taking important steps in progress by requiring them. In Council's development of Vision 2020 in August 2009, there was clear support for movement in this direction. We'll get a glimpse next week if the majority view necessary to get us there is in place.

We are also reconstituting our interest in Community Development Block Grant monies that are free for the taking each year that can be used for sidewalk construction in certain parts of town, to the tune of ~$120K/yr. There are also a number of other grant and revenue sharing opportunities out there to help us underwrite the costs of providing more bike/ped facilities that we hopefully will be taking more advantage of, especially as the economic climate improves.

As our new bus service is tweaked, and people become more familiar and accepting of this new transportation choice (and the town pays only 23% of the actual cost to provide it), we are becoming more socially and regionally responsible for expanding mobility choices for citizens of all backgrounds and needs.

So stay tuned and rest assured that, if re-elected, I will continue to push hard for more progress in these areas.
Thanks again for asking the perfect question!
Brad

Brad, glad to see your signs up around town - you've got my vote!

BD -
Appreciate your support. I'm glad you saw some signs ... only bought 25 and still have about half of them to put out yet; spending lots of time on foot, listening. (!) Thanks again for the note,
Brad

Go Stipes, Hall and Huppert; and with any luck a new mayor with gov't experience; who would have ever thought such a thing was possible in C'bg.Surely will be a change!!!!!
CHL

Brad:

You say "Falling Branch Commerce Center is positioned and being aggressively marketed for new industry."

Is this business park geared for industrial, technology or commercial? My understanding is the park's name was recently changed, indicating a preference for what types of business is most desired. My understanding is that while the town's borders are very oddly shaped in this area, to include potential tax revenues as the presumed purpose behind these paper lines, it is actually Montgomery County and the NRV Planning District which are the economic development engines recruiting potential companies. I understand the town provides some nominal financial contributions to these regional or state economic development initiatives, yet your statement and those made some other officials implies a leadership role by Christiansburg. My perception is that the town's role is instead passive, encouraging but not really engaged, ready to collect new tax revenue if possible. Could you clarify please, as I know you gave several years of service for regional efforts to attract new business to the New River Valley.

Let me say also that I am very encouraged by your willingness to run for office and serve another term, and remain hopeful you find this election provides more "kindred spirits" to help you get Christiansburg progressing forward in a positive and sustainable direction.

NRV Citizen -
Thanks for your support.
You're obviously up and informed on economic development; your insights are accurate. The lead role in marketing and developing the park is Montgomery County, for it is their park. The second strings in marketing the park are the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (or VEDP) and the NRV Planning District Commisssion, who both provide leads and assist the county in responding to potential tenants based on 'criteria' that a specific industry is looking for. These include such things as site size, water/sewer/gas/electicity/telecommunications capacities, proximity to highway and/or rail infrastructure, available workforce, and proximity to higher education that can sustain the needs that a given enterprise has. The name of the park was changed from Falling Branch Industrial Park to Falling Branch Commerce Center a few years ago to reflect market demands and enhance the image for technology-based tenants.

The role of the town is not so much passive as it is supportive. The initial development of the park required installation of infrastructure (like water and sewer) by the town. From time to time when a potential industry is looking closely at the park, the town is asked to provide 'above and beyond' capacities for these potential tenants, and sometimes tax incentives that can be added to county and state incentives (including the Governor's Opportunity Fund that flows through VEDP), to close a deal. The town also supports the county and state efforts for "prospect visits", where I'm sure you're aware how closely potential tenants gauge the business climate (or receptiveness) of the locality they are considering.

That being said, you're right that the town's in the third seat of the bus, but it's a critical one. It's been a while since a big announcement came regarding the park, but the wait is coming to a close this spring.

Thanks for taking time to write.
Brad

NRV Citizen -
Thought of this last night -- can't believe I forgot to mention the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance ... they're right in there with the second tier of support for marketing Falling Branch (and other NRV industrial parks) for new industry. I believe the Alliance is privately funded by regional businesses with the sole purpose of expanding our economic base by attracting new industry. Aric Bopp, Executive Director, and his staff do a super job tracking trends, representing the NRV at national and international trade shows, and developing leads for potential tenants. Just wanted to note this since they are also a key player.
Brad

Any way we can get the Weekly Crime Report updated: http://www.christiansburg.org/index.aspx?NID=312 the month of March is missing.

Thanks for starting this journal. I hope you are re-elected and you expand the use of this journal for updating Christiansburg citizens. I get the meeting notices and minutes through the updates I had signed up for throught the town web site. It is definately a step in the right direction but most of them are so vague there is no way of knowing what is going on from them, there is still LOTS of room for improvement. The new bus service is a step also in the right direction but for many of us that would love to us it to commute to jobs find it useless. I work near Mont. Reg. Hosp and I work usually from 8 AM until many times 6 PM the hours for the bus are useless for anyone working early morning or late evening and lack of bus stops in residential areas also makes it useless. I lived many years ago in Northern NJ and so I am very familiar with being able to use different methods of mass transportation. This area is still lacking real valid mass transportation to take people from their residential areas to areas with jobs. I would use the bus system if it provided meaningful service.
This area also needs jobs with living wages. We have enough fast food, restaurant, retail, low level, low paying service jobs. It is time to bring some jobs that pay enough to support yourself without having to work 2-3 jobs with little to no benefits and until that happens we will never be able to keep our young (or many others) here. There needs to be some focus on giving those that have been laid off from jobs like Hubble, Federal Mogel, Corning and Volvo retraining and/or other employment opportunities. Many are out of work and do not have the job skills for other types of employment and are probably having to take jobs in low level, low paying, lack of benefits service jobs and losing their homes or moving out of the area.
I am lucky I work in healthcare and have remained employed and hope to remain that way, but I see entirely too many of our citizens losing better paying jobs and many due to jobs going overseas and leaving this area or struggling on unemployment or settling for much lower paying jobs.

Rex - I'll pass this along and see if we can get this updated.

Cburg Homeowner - Thanks for your comments on the bus service ... we do have a long way to go, but we are headed in the right direction with this new option. The fixed routes still need some tweaking, but the feedback I've heard on the "Go Anywhere" option has been very positive. As for new jobs, I totally agree. We must do everything we can to keep our existing industry/business in place (and expand), and work collaboratively (as a region) to attract new industry. Thanks for your thoughts.
Brad