BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - A Blacksburg developer has a proposal he believes could end the standoff between Montgomery County and the town of Blacksburg regarding future plans for the old Blacksburg High School.
Bill Ellenbogen said he wants to buy the land for $3 million, which is what Montgomery County asked for. He would then donate a portion to Blacksburg so the town can pursue its recreation department expansion.
Ellenbogen said he believes the building can be salvaged to be used as a storage facility, possibly for Virginia Tech.
The proposal would require the Blacksburg Town Council to rezone the property for storage units.
"It would have very low impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the school, certainly less than the high school," said Ellenbogen. "The town gets the park land it covets. The county gets the money that it wants to put back into the public school system for the property. It seems like a win for everybody concerned."
Ellenbogen said if the county and the town approve this project, it will likely cost him between $10 million to $15 million.