The Town of Blacksburg, Virginia is one of three cities to win a spot in the Mayors Innovative Design Cohort.

The Cohort is a national partnership between the American Institute of Architects and the Mayors Innovation Project to “help build zero carbon, resilient, healthy, and equitable cities.” Blacksburg leaders will have the opportunity to address the climate crisis while creating equitable, inclusive public spaces.

The Town began working in 2019 on a retail incubator concept in partnership with Downtown Blacksburg Inc., the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Assistance Center. The envisioned retail-focused incubator has three primary goals: (1) to preserve and enhance the dynamic atmosphere of Blacksburg’s historic downtown, (2) to provide quality products and experiences to the surrounding community, and (3) to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to create and expand their businesses in a low-risk setting.

The property chosen for these design efforts is 414 N. Main Street, the former Cooks Cleaner property, which is now owned by the Town of Blacksburg, and is part of the Voluntary Remediation Program through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The project area has seen an influx of redevelopment in recent years with restaurants, breweries, high tech companies, and the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech.