Sidewalk-ing your way through the Comprehensive Plan

A review of the Town of Christiansburg Comprehensive Plan yields exactly 16 references to sidewalks (in a 162 page document). The only one of those pertaining specifically to developments and the need for sidewalks in developments is number 15 below. Take a few minutes and look at some of these exerpts from the Comprehensive Plan and ask yourself: "How well has the Town of Christiansburg addressed the needs and desires of citizens in the development of the Comprehensive Plan? How much effort has the Town put into achieving the goals noted in the Comprehensive Plan?"

If you've been here a while, if you drive around town now and then, then consider printing out this list to see exactly what has been done towards achieving any of these goals. Take a read, take a look, and then form your own opinions. Feel free to share those opinions with me.

1. p.62. Outdoor Recreation Facilities: refers to sidewalks being used as an extension of the Huckleberry Trail as part of the N. Franklin Street -Peppers Ferry Road connector route.

2. p.62 Also notes that 'The Town of Christiansburg maintains its sidewalk system, which is a continuing function (related to the College Street Downtown Trail constructed in 2002".

3. p.62 "The Town sidewalk system supplements the Town trails."

4. p.62 "While the Town's trails are primarily used for recreational purposes, sidewalk pedestrian traffic is heavy, particularly in the downtown area."

5. p.77 "Scheduled to begin in 2007, the Virginia Route 114/Peppers Ferry Road project will four-lane the entire portion in Town and outside the corporate limits to Dominion Drive as well as provide sidewalks, landscaped medians, left and right turn lanes, two stormwater management facilities, crosswalks, and roadside landscaping.

6. p.77 "The Christiansburg Town Council adopted a resolution requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation to include a N. Franklin Street/Peppers Ferry Road NW western connector road in its Six-Year Plan. Though not funded at this time, the connector is a priority locally and will assist in the alleviation of traffic congestion on both heavily traveled commercial corridors. The four-lane new alignment connector would provide bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Preliminary engineering for the project has previously been conducted."

7. p.78 "The Town has indicated that improvements to Radford Street are a long-term objective

including widening and the addition of bicycle lanes and sidewalks."

8. p.80. This is a refernce to the extension of the Huckleberry Trail again. (see p.62)

9. p.80 "The Town of Christiansburg maintains its sidewalk system, which covers a good deal of

the Town’s primary street frontage, particularly in the commercial districts. The Town sidewalk system supplements the Town trails. While the Town’s trails are primarily used for recreational purposes, sidewalk pedestrian traffic is heavy, particularly in the downtown area."

10. p.105. "Sidewalks, parking and overall curb appeal will be highlighted for investment by the Town in the areas of publicly owned property in order to create more opportunities for pedestrian traffic in the

downtown."

11. p.113. Re: Virginia Route 114/Peppers Ferry Road Project again -- "The project will provide sidewalks, landscaped medians, turn lanes, two storm water management facilities, crosswalks, and roadside landscaping. Implications of these road improvements include improved circulation within the Town limits as well as opportunities for further growth."

12. p.113. Re: N. Franklin Street/Peppers Ferry Road Western Connector Route Project again -- "The four-lane new alignment connector would provide bicycle lanes and sidewalks."

13. p. 113. Re: Radford Street Improvements -- "The Town has indicated that improvements to Radford Street are a long-term objective including widening and the addition of bicycle lanes and sidewalks."

14. p.124. "TRANSPORTATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goal: Provide for a system of streets, sidewalks, parking areas, traffic controls and other related facilities, which will provide safe, convenient and reliable movement of people and goods."

15. p.136 "j. Explore the creation of a fund that would allow developers to make contributions in lieu of building a sidewalk in front of properties that do not provide connectivity. This fund could then be used to rehabilitate existing sidewalks or extend existing sidewalks into appropriate areas."

16. p.131. "d. Build sidewalks or multi-use paths to public sites including parks and recreation centers."