Big Box

Here is a copy of a letter that I sent to all members of Town Council. I implore others to let Town Council know that we will support them in passing Ordinance 1450 and in their support against the changed development plans that now include a Big Box store behind Margaret Beeks Elementary School.

Dear Town Council Members,

Let me begin my letter that in opposition to what others are saying, one can be both for growth and development in Blacksburg yet opposed to a “Big Box” store being planned for the area behind Gables Shopping Center and Margaret Beeks Elementary school. I am very excited about the development that was being planned for South Main Street – that area has been an eyesore for years and I am pleased that something will be done with it. However, I must also admit that I have had some concerns about the traffic and transit issues that will ensue from it. Now I realize that those concerns were nothing compared to those same concerns for the area around the proposed Big Box.

I am most disheartened that the plan that was originally presented to Council is no longer the “plan.” When you approved the plan – you were acting in good faith. Unfortunately, it now appears the developer was not. Transparency is critical and they were not transparent with their true plans for the area. It is such a shame that an Ordinance such as 1450 was not developed and approved PRIOR to approval on the South Main Street project but that is now water under the bridge.

The logic that the developers are using is that there must be an anchor store to attract shoppers to their boutique stores and restaurants is extremely faulty. A Wal-Mart or other Big Box store would not be attracting shoppers to those types of stores blocks away. The plan originally presented was encompassing enough to draw consumers; having a Big Box a couple of blocks away seem irrelevant.

And most importantly, let’s look at where this Big Box will go – right behind an elementary school. Is this what we want for our children? An enormous increase in both pedestrian and vehicular traffic right behind and around one of our largest elementary schools in Blacksburg? This poses a huge risk for many obvious reasons.

I really hope that you will do everything in your powers not to let this Big Box situate where it is currently being proposed. If it were in a different place within Blacksburg, I wouldn’t be happy with it but wouldn’t be opposing it. This proposed plan for a Big Box must be stopped whether through litigation or a quick pass of Ordinance 1450 making it retroactive (not even sure this is possible).

I really appreciate all the work that all of you do for the betterment of our town and I implore all of you to do whatever you can to stop this proposed Big Box. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Lydia Marek
Vice-President, Citizens First