Montgomery County, Blacksburg discuss potential purchase of old school properties

(Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - Talks have resumed between Montgomery County and the town of Blacksburg on the future of two old school properties.

Two letters were exchanged between The Board of Supervisors and Town Council in the last month, marking the first communication they have had on the old middle school and high school properties in almost a year.

Recommended Videos



The Board of Supervisors proposed that Town Council purchase both the old middle school and the old high school sites in one transaction.

Blacksburg Town Council has expressed interest in buying the old high school site for the last couple of years. Town leaders plan to use it as an upgraded recreational site to serve the northern part of Montgomery County.

This is the first time there has been talk of purchasing the middle school as well. In a letter sent to The Board of Supervisors a couple weeks ago, council said it is interested in the purchase, but it is concerned about having to honor a contract the board signed with developer Fiddler's Green.

The town also said it would be forced to rezone the downtown property as the seller, which would be a conflict of interest.

Council said it would like the land be a mixed use property that will include retail, business and non-student housing. Members plan to pass a resolution at a meeting Tuesday night that will reiterate these goals for the downtown property.

The board of supervisors discussed the latest letter from the town in closed session at a meeting last week, but members said they are not ready to speak publicly about their plans right now.

The old Blacksburg Middle School debate began back in 2010 when it was moved from its downtown Main Street location. The high school followed just a few years later when a roof collapse forced that property to be abandoned.

The middle school site includes 20 acres just off Main Street.