Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development And Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Foundation highlights Gateways plan release and Virginia Main Street assessments; post‑storm trail recovery underway
Summary
Staff reported the public release of the Gateways to Southwest Virginia outdoor recreation plans, post‑Hurricane Helene trail assessments in Mount Rogers, and near‑completion of Virginia Main Street downtown assessments with final reports due in September.
At the Sept. 11 meeting development staff updated the board on regional planning and recovery work.
Jen Otey said the Gateways to Southwest Virginia Outdoor Recreation Economy Plan, which includes Foothills of the Blue Ridge and Powell and Clinch outdoor recreation plans, was released publicly on Sept. 9. Otey also reported that post‑Hurricane Helene trail recovery assessments are underway in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area and that Trutta Environmental Solutions completed a high‑definition stream survey on the New River.
Jessica Lawrence reported on the Virginia Main Street ARC ARISE downtown assessments, saying nine of 10 selected community site visits have been completed (Wytheville, Galax, Pulaski, Martinsville, Marion, Covington, Buena Vista, St. Paul and Bristol) and that Tazewell is scheduled for Sept. 18–19. She said final reports for the downtown assessments will be available in September and noted recurring local needs such as second‑floor housing, activating underused building spaces, and better trail‑downtown connections.
Staff framed these efforts as coordinated steps to leverage natural and cultural assets for tourism and economic development while addressing downtown revitalization challenges.
