Site work and paving for a mixed-use development in Blacksburg, Virginia. Design plans call for site work for a road / highway; for paving for a road / highway; sidewalk / parking lot; and sidewalk / parking lot.

This project funds the final design and construction for the widened sidewalks and streetscape improvements to include street lighting on Draper Road between College Avenue and Roanoke Street. In addition, this project will include improvements to the remaining sidewalk from Roanoke Street to Lee Street on the east side. This project is intended to enhance the pedestrian routes between the Kent Square parking garage and College Avenue with an eight-foot wide walkway with brick banding and downtown streetscape elements. Outdoor dining plans for existing restaurants along Draper Road will also be included. When complete, the project will improve the streetscape from College Avenue to Washington Street and will significantly enhance the pedestrian experience and the vibrancy of downtown Blacksburg. This project will be submitted for VDOT Revenue Sharing funds or Transportation Enhancement Grant Program for construction funding. A conceptual design for the Draper Road Streetscape Improvement project is underway. As part of the conceptual design, a traffic study was conducted to assist with developing plans. When complete, the conceptual design will include a preliminary cost estimate Project is in Town of Blacksburg Capital budget FY 2024-2029. As of July 16, 2024, Project funded for design/engineering in FY2026 and construction in FY2027-2028. An engineer has been identified. *The original solicitation is listed below for reference. The Town of Blacksburg is soliciting proposals for developing preliminary design schemes for the Draper Road Streetscape Project to create an inviting downtown pedestrian-oriented streetscape. The streetscape project will extend from the intersection of College Avenue and Draper Road to the intersection of Washington Street and Draper Road. The Town has developed general criteria for its downtown streetscape that includes significantly widened sidewalk widths, sidewalks constructed with brick pavers, concrete sidewalks with brick banding, an existing palette of street furniture, and outdoor dining areas in the locations adjacent to restaurants. The preliminary design will include the appropriate design features for three separate sections of Draper Road. The sections are from College Avenue to Jackson Street, from Jackson Street to Roanoke Street, and from Roanoke Street to Washington Street. Consideration should be given to the transition from the College Avenue Streetscape to Draper Road. The Draper Road corridor also includes historic structures and the Town's Fanners Market. The project is an extension of the Town's placemaking initiatives. The designs developed during this preliminary phase will be utilized to develop outdoor dining locations, initial sidewalk widths, amenity areas, construction materials, and street widths. Construction estimates will be prepared during this phase that will be utilized to develop future design and construction budgets and for applying for various funding grants from the Virginia Department o fTransportation under the Smart Scale, Transportation Alternatives, and/or Revenue Sharing programs. Proposals shall include experience in preparing applications for the funding grants for similar projects. This preliminary design phase shall include a traffic study to review the vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic volumes and patterns along this corridor for considerations of potentially making section(s) of Draper Road one-way, a review of existing on-street parking conditions and possible revisions to on-street parking, incorporation of Town of Blacksburg streetscapes features, and preliminary stormwater management schemes. A review of existing overhead and underground utilities will be included to determine if relocation is required/desired. There will be considerable public input during this process in which the selected firm will be required to provide exhibits and assist in conducting the meetings as well as presentations to elected/appointed officials.