Blacksburg council okays five-year lease of Bennett House to Seeds nature center

The Blacksburg Town Council approved ordinance 2112 to authorize a five-year, nominal-rent lease of the Bennett House at 301–303 Wilson Street to Seeds, the local nonprofit that operates the Seeds Blacksburg Nature Center and youth programs.

A town staff member (identified in the transcript as Mark) said Seeds would relocate from the Price House into the Bennett House in Wong Park, would have full occupancy of the building and use of the park and parking lot but would not receive priority use of the park. "If you've sent a child to Seeds Camp over the years, they come home really dirty and really tired, really happy," the presenter said, describing the program's hands-on nature.

Mike Rosenwag, who identified himself as the director of Seeds Blacksburg Nature Center, thanked the council and staff for supporting the organization’s long-term presence and programming. "This is our 31st year," he said, and he acknowledged town staff and council for their work on the lease.

Council members moved and seconded the ordinance and voted to approve it.

Why it matters: Council described the lease as a low-cost partnership that secures a long-standing local nonprofit’s operations in town facilities and supports youth programming. The move consolidates Seeds' operations in a park facility and is intended to help the nonprofit expand its programs.

What’s next: With the ordinance approved, staff will finalize lease documents and coordinate Seeds’ relocation and any necessary building modifications with parks and recreation and town staff.