Town of Blacksburg conducting planning study for Toms Creek Basin future

James Dalpino
·2 min read

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — The Town of Blacksburg is kicking off a planning study at Toms Creek Basin (TCB) as an effort to engage the public and local stakeholders and guide a strategy for the future of the area.

TCB is located around 4,000 acres west of the US Route 460 Bypass and north of Prices Fork Road. In 1973, this area was annexed into the Town of Blacksburg, and years later in 1996, residents stressed the importance of preserving the area’s character, open spaces, and scenic views. This was recently brought back to the attention in 2022 at its biannual retreat.

As a part of preserving the area, this study will collect data extensively from the community and use the data to evaluate key TCB characteristics. This includes open space and conservation, ecology and environmental elements, past and future developments, recreational amenities, transportation, and infrastructure.

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“As Blacksburg continues to develop over time it is critical that the Town takes proactive steps to create a clear vision for the Toms Creek Basin that aligns with our community and Town Council values for the area,” said Deputy Town Manager Matt Hanratty. “There are many competing interests in the TCB including the need for housing, recreation, environmental preservation, open space management, and connectivity. It’s important that these are balanced in a plan that allows the Town to grow sensibly in the basin.  This study will be the foundation for that growth moving forward and provide a roadmap for decades to come.”

The study kicked off this week with a tour of the basin and a presentation to Blacksburg Town Council and the Planning Commission. During this time, there will be a variety of community engagement opportunities with the project, both online and in-person.

These activities and conversations will allow Blacksburg to gather community perspectives, ensuring future actions align with a common vision for TCB.

For more information, visit the Let’s Talk Blacksburg website.

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