The Roanoke Times | File June

The debate over the possible demolition of the Taylor Frame House on Main Street in downtown is one recent example of criticism over Blacksburg's friendliness toward business.

| Lerone Graham

lerone.graham@roanoke.com, 381-8621

BLACKSBURG -- Future goals were a key focus for the Blacksburg Town Council during Tuesday's quarterly work session.

During the session, council members discussed the town's reputation of being unwelcoming to business and developers, their role as the council and the plans for certain properties.

Town Manager Marc Verniel proposed putting together a task force to help improve the business climate in town and said this has become a priority for him and Mayor Ron Rordam.

"We've had several conversations on how to approach this," Verniel said.

The task force is designed to receive input on business needs and promote public dialogue so that it can act as an advisory group for the council.

The plan is for the task force to be composed of people in various capacities, including council and planning commission members, developers, town staff and general residents. Once the task force is put together in September, the town council will receive its first report in March.

Verniel briefly mentioned Blacksburg High School during the meeting, which was listed on the agenda as an update. He said no firm decisions have been made, and the council has not come to a consensus on how to proceed.

The old Blacksburg Middle School site was also listed on the agenda for discussion. Since the property is scheduled for mixed use on the town's comprehensive plan, Rordam said he and a group of council and planning commission members will meet to specifically define their plans for it, so that they can report these plans to Montgomery County within the next few months.

The council's next regular meeting is Sept. 14 in the Blacksburg Municipal Building.