Wish I had the answer. I've had two calls from friends this morning asking about the issue, and other than referring them to other posts on the topic, I don't know what to tell them. I think we're making a mistake, arguing over loudspeakers in a retail center. If the Sonic was to go where I think it was to go, I am virtually certain that there are louder, more nuisance-creating shops, service stations and the like throughout Town that are closer to residential areas than this would've been.
Before you tar and feather me … I agree with one of the points against Sonic. First & Main is a pedestrian-oriented facility, and the footprint of a Sonic certainly doesn't encourage walk-up traffic. However, if I'm reading the tenant plan from May 18 correctly, it looks as if the location of Sonic was probably Outparcel #5, fronting on South Main Street. Surely the traffic plan could have been modified to prevent pedestrians and cars from interfering with each other …
Download first_main_tenant_plan.pdf
So what to do? Listen, it's a Sonic, I don't know that I care that much about the fact that I can't get a $.99 milkshake (do they REALLY put milk in there, anyway?). What I'm more concerned about is the fact that we're showing these retailers we're going to make it REALLY difficult to do business in Town limits. That's disappointing. And we're telling up and coming businesses, like Modea, or Mailtrust, or <insert CRC tenant list here> that we're not serious about providing their employees quality of life options.
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G Christopher, thanks for the comment … no post is too old!
It certainly seems as if we’ve hamstrung ourselves, doesn’t it? I think we’ve now discovered that in fact we can’t make it difficult to relocate a business into our Town limits and expect that retailers are going to play by our rules. I don’t know where the blame lies, my guess is that the developer holds some responsibility and the Town holds some responsibility, but as I’ve written before it certainly seems like the horse was changed midstream somewhere. While we were busy changing the rules, and swapping lawsuits, people got fed up and left. I can’t say I blame them.
I still think there’s a positive moving forward, if we can break through this first phase stall. We need to finish build out in the first phase, and continue to shine a spotlight on the complex with events. If we have to give retailers a tax break for coming in, so be it … get the storefronts filled! I’d like to see more locally-owned businesses take root there, and speaking of root – I’d like to see an extension of the Farmer’s Market there – although I can just hear the groans and rolling of eyes from some folks on that one. A gym would fit in well with the tenant mix – it would give multiple businesses a supporting auxiliary business, and with its’ location on the bus route would open the development up even further to a wide mix of people.
Whatever it takes to get it filled and moving forward, because I firmly believe that activity breeds activity. What do you see for the future of First & Main?
G Christopher, thanks for the comment … no post is too old!
It certainly seems as if we’ve hamstrung ourselves, doesn’t it? I think we’ve now discovered that in fact we can’t make it difficult to relocate a business into our Town limits and expect that retailers are going to play by our rules. I don’t know where the blame lies, my guess is that the developer holds some responsibility and the Town holds some responsibility, but as I’ve written before it certainly seems like the horse was changed midstream somewhere. While we were busy changing the rules, and swapping lawsuits, people got fed up and left. I can’t say I blame them.
I still think there’s a positive moving forward, if we can break through this first phase stall. We need to finish build out in the first phase, and continue to shine a spotlight on the complex with events. If we have to give retailers a tax break for coming in, so be it … get the storefronts filled! I’d like to see more locally-owned businesses take root there, and speaking of root – I’d like to see an extension of the Farmer’s Market there – although I can just hear the groans and rolling of eyes from some folks on that one. A gym would fit in well with the tenant mix – it would give multiple businesses a supporting auxiliary business, and with its’ location on the bus route would open the development up even further to a wide mix of people.
Whatever it takes to get it filled and moving forward, because I firmly believe that activity breeds activity. What do you see for the future of First & Main?
I know this post is rather old, but today, in the thick of the recession
we and those who moved into First and Main are seeing the direct impact
of Blacksburg’s fighting what fits 100% within our commercially zoned
districts. Had there not been the long and drawn out moaning and suing and fighting…First and Main WOULD be hosting Sonic, and Beamer’s and the Movie Theatre and more. BUT, because it took more than 2-years to fight it out, by the time people would have been ready to move on these tax paying, employing, shopper-drawing business it was too late. So what would have by now been a fully-leased center, attracting customers despite the recession, is a still potentially great addition to our town…that is stuck in limbo.
I know this post is rather old, but today, in the thick of the recession
we and those who moved into First and Main are seeing the direct impact
of Blacksburg’s fighting what fits 100% within our commercially zoned
districts. Had there not been the long and drawn out moaning and suing and fighting…First and Main WOULD be hosting Sonic, and Beamer’s and the Movie Theatre and more. BUT, because it took more than 2-years to fight it out, by the time people would have been ready to move on these tax paying, employing, shopper-drawing business it was too late. So what would have by now been a fully-leased center, attracting customers despite the recession, is a still potentially great addition to our town…that is stuck in limbo.
If town council could sit back and just take a break from all the rapid fire decisions they have been making over the last year they might see a pretty eye opening trend, one that might lead someone to believe there is not a voice representing the people anymore. It’s almost like everything I read about it from my home in Richmond is a personal vendetta based on personal agendas and personal feelings. Lose the power trip it’s the smartest PR move you can make if you care about the town and it’s future. Ultimately even the die hard Citizens First people are going to see that town council is no longer representing a public voice. It’s personal and it’s transparent and has no business in Blacksburg.
If town council could sit back and just take a break from all the rapid fire decisions they have been making over the last year they might see a pretty eye opening trend, one that might lead someone to believe there is not a voice representing the people anymore. It’s almost like everything I read about it from my home in Richmond is a personal vendetta based on personal agendas and personal feelings. Lose the power trip it’s the smartest PR move you can make if you care about the town and it’s future. Ultimately even the die hard Citizens First people are going to see that town council is no longer representing a public voice. It’s personal and it’s transparent and has no business in Blacksburg.
Tom – still wish you weren’t moving, would have enjoyed getting to know you guys better! But you’re right, CRC seems to be creating an environment where businesses and employees can thrive and grow, but step into Town limits and we’re still stuck in the past. Although, if you need a good sub shop, bar or tattoo parlor, I can recommend several! I’m still optimistic that we’re going to get it right – I WANT to see us get it right – but there’s still a nagging concern that we’re setting ourselves back decades by not preparing for the growth that I believe can come.
Bill – always appreciate your comments, particularly your flattery. Check’s in the mail!
I thought the Collegiate Times’ editorial on the issue was well-done – http://tinyurl.com/5yhbpp, and the continued conversation in the comments has been pretty insightful, as well. Mayor Rordam suggested that while he wasn’t particularly thrilled with Sonic, he didn’t see a reason to vote against it. And he actually – imagine this – went to see how loud the one in Christiansburg was before making his decision.
It’s NOT about Sonic, and I don’t think it’s necessarily about foot traffic, either. It’s about making it clear who has control. Not a spirit of collaboration, but domination.
Tom – still wish you weren’t moving, would have enjoyed getting to know you guys better! But you’re right, CRC seems to be creating an environment where businesses and employees can thrive and grow, but step into Town limits and we’re still stuck in the past. Although, if you need a good sub shop, bar or tattoo parlor, I can recommend several! I’m still optimistic that we’re going to get it right – I WANT to see us get it right – but there’s still a nagging concern that we’re setting ourselves back decades by not preparing for the growth that I believe can come.
Bill – always appreciate your comments, particularly your flattery. Check’s in the mail!
I thought the Collegiate Times’ editorial on the issue was well-done – http://tinyurl.com/5yhbpp, and the continued conversation in the comments has been pretty insightful, as well. Mayor Rordam suggested that while he wasn’t particularly thrilled with Sonic, he didn’t see a reason to vote against it. And he actually – imagine this – went to see how loud the one in Christiansburg was before making his decision.
It’s NOT about Sonic, and I don’t think it’s necessarily about foot traffic, either. It’s about making it clear who has control. Not a spirit of collaboration, but domination.
I am glad you are the blog writer and I am the blog reader, because you made some really valid points in your post…all said better than I could have done.
You’re totally right, it’s not that anyone is going to be upset that there won’t be a Sonic built, but it just screams to any retail businesses that are thinking about moving into town to stay away, because trying to get approval will be more trouble than it’s worth. It also goes to show you that the special interests groups in Blacksburg have entirely too much power and sway with the town council.
Now watch them put in something like a Papa Johns, or some sort of food delivery store in there which won’t need to get a special permit, and will have cars zooming in and out all day. I can think of a lot less pedestrian friendly things they could put in there that won’t need special permission from the council to be built.
I am glad you are the blog writer and I am the blog reader, because you made some really valid points in your post…all said better than I could have done.
You’re totally right, it’s not that anyone is going to be upset that there won’t be a Sonic built, but it just screams to any retail businesses that are thinking about moving into town to stay away, because trying to get approval will be more trouble than it’s worth. It also goes to show you that the special interests groups in Blacksburg have entirely too much power and sway with the town council.
Now watch them put in something like a Papa Johns, or some sort of food delivery store in there which won’t need to get a special permit, and will have cars zooming in and out all day. I can think of a lot less pedestrian friendly things they could put in there that won’t need special permission from the council to be built.
This is just another example of why I’m moving away from Blacksburg. The university and the CRC are getting it right, but unfortunately the town doesn’t understand what is need to attract and *retain* businesses.
The town government has consistently demonstrated an anti-growth sentiment through their actions (despite what they say).
Smart growth is necessary, but it appears they want no growth.
This is just another example of why I’m moving away from Blacksburg. The university and the CRC are getting it right, but unfortunately the town doesn’t understand what is need to attract and *retain* businesses.
The town government has consistently demonstrated an anti-growth sentiment through their actions (despite what they say).
Smart growth is necessary, but it appears they want no growth.