Council hears no objections

For once, all was silent.

A hearing hosted by Blacksburg Town Council regarding the potential demolition of the old Academy Street elementary school and senior center buildings went without opposition last week.

The governing body expected little resistance from town residents regarding the fate of the two structures, which have become eyesores for town residents.

However, Blacksburg Town Administrator Trudy Martin said the facilities had become safety hazards that could no longer be ignored.

"The main thing is that these were unsafe buildings in which children could possibly enter and get hurt," Martin said. "With a little league athletic field in the vicinity, anyone could wander off and something bad happens. It's our goal to avoid anything like that from happening."

At a recent meeting, town officials unanimously approved plans to apply for $248,000 in grants to fund the demolition of the two buildings. School trustees will ante up $62,000, or 25 percent, in matching money from its debt service fund to help with the demolition cost.

Martin said the town is not likely to receive word on the grant until November. If the grant is approved, demolition is expected to begin early in 2009.

Blacksburg Academy Street opened in 1956 as an elementary school for black students. The building was used as a sixth grade annex in the 1970s.