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Montgomery County officials keep telling Blacksburg officials to buy the old Blacksburg Middle School property if Blacksburg wants to control what happens to that property. They also repeatedly state that Blacksburg has exclusive control over any rezoning.

The old middle school property is currently zoned R-4, which allows four residences per acre, and it is an accepted fact that the property would be worth more if it were rezoned. Let's call the increase in value over R-4, due to rezoning, "added value."

Let's analyze the assets and rights the town and county each have:

n The county owns property zoned R-4. It can sell the property, if surplus, but only as R-4.

n The town has the power to rezone the property, which will produce the added value.

The county can't add value if the town doesn't rezone.

If the town purchases the property at R-4 fair market value, it pays the county full value for its asset. The town can then unilaterally decide the future of the property. The county is fairly compensated for its asset and the town is properly compensated for the use of its rezoning authority.

Blacksburg should make a firm offer to purchase the old school property at the fair market value of the property as currently zoned, R-4. If Blacksburg makes an offer and the county accepts it, as it should, all options regarding the proposed new stadium and the future of the old school property remain the same.

In fact, if the offer is accepted by the county before the town votes on the proposed stadium special use permit, it takes the future of the old school property out of the equation, as some county officials kept insisting it should be. A firm contract can be executed with the provision that it is effective only when, and if, the property is declared surplus by the county.

Why should the county accept this fair offer? Because it is the best offer it can possibly get if Blacksburg officials take the position that the offer is very fair and that it will not agree to rezone unless it retains the potential added value. Furthermore, Blacksburg does not need, or want, the county to be involved in determining the best use for the property.

Can the county get a better offer than fair market value as R-4? It's very unlikely.

Since the county can only sell the property as R-4, that's the best it can expect. A developer, aware of the town's offer, would be reluctant to offer even fair market value as R-4 because he would be competing with the town -- the same town that has to approve many of the developer's plans.

If the county decides, as some county officials suggested, to tear down the old middle school building -- once it is considered surplus -- it incurs the cost of razing the building, the great expense of removing asbestos and the opposition of many voters. And it still ends up with the same property zoned R-4.

If an offer is made by the town and the county doesn't accept it, there could be a standoff. In that case, most reasonable, fair-minded residents would side with Blacksburg.

If this idea makes sense, communicate your thoughts to members of Blacksburg's town council and suggest that they consider this plan. It might also be a good idea to let county officials know how you feel, too.

H.C. Chuck Rogoll is a retired businessman living in Blacksburg.