Main Street Improvements Bring Communications Award for Blacksburg
The improvements along downtown Blacksburg’s Main Street have not only garnered attention for their aesthetic and pedestrian improvements, but also for the way information was shared with local residents throughout the planning and construction phases.
The Town of Blacksburg won the 2011 Achievement Award in the communications category from the Virginia Municipal League. The town was honored for its Main Street Improvement Project Communication Plan, which sought input from residents and business owners during the plan’s development phase, and offered information on the disruptions created by the construction phase.
The communication plan included one-on-one meetings with business owners, and a web page that provided updates, maps, and information. The town also launched a blog to post photos and construction videos during the project, and to offer residents and visitors a chance to share their comments and questions. The town also shared information through Facebook, Twitter and an advertising campaign.
The Town of Blacksburg was judged to be best of 12 entrants in the communications category. The award will be presented to the town during the Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference on October 4.
Virginia Tech’s Center for the Arts
The construction for Virginia Tech’s new Center for the Arts is well under way. The plans for the new 130,000-square-foot, $89 million facility were approved earlier this year by the university’s board of visitors. The center will help redefine downtown Blacksburg and shape the performing and visual arts environment throughout the region.
The Center for the Arts complex will include both new and renovated facilities located at the intersection of North Main Street and Alumni Mall. “Its location — at the main entrance to campus near the center of the Town of Blacksburg — symbolizes our commitment to the arts and its importance to the university and to our broader community,” noted Ruth Waalkes, executive director for the Center for the Arts.
The complex will comprise three major areas — the performance hall, several visual arts galleries, and the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts. The performance hall will seat 1,300 peopl
e and will have the flexibility to present theatre, music, and dance performances.
The visual arts galleries will incorporate display space for traditional visual art as well as interactive and digital forms and will exhibit both temporarily donated and university-owned artwork. The space will also be suitable for interactive and distance-learning activities and will further facilitate collaborations with the recently opened Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Va., to include exhibitions and educational outreach opportunities.
The Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts will be housed in new space as well as renovated space in Schultz Hall. The center, a technological incubator, laboratory, and studio setting to be sued to explore the many intersections of art, education, and technology, will enhance public education at the primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate education levels. The center will include the Collaborative Performance Lab that will provide a venue for exploration for the visual and performance arts using the latest interactive technology.
Construction of the facility is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2013.
Parent’s Key Club
The Holiday Inn Blacksburg has developed a program exclusively for parents of Virginia Tech Student’s, The Parent’s Key Club.
If you are a parent of a Hokie you will no doubt make many trips to Blacksburg over the course of your student’s education. For example there is moving your student in, Parent’s Weekend, home football games, and of course those just because visits.
As a program participant parents can make the most of their visit to Blacksburg with discounts on hotel rooms, catering and our restaurant, discounts for referring friends and family, discounts at local businesses, free catered tailgate during home football games, monthly newsletters with Blacksburg happenings and much more!
And of course the most important reason to come to town is your Hokie’s graduation. As part of the Parent’s Key Club we offer Graduation Guarantee. When graduation is announced hotels in Blacksburg typically sell out within an hour. With us you can avoid the hassle of the phone lottery and trying to get a reservation. We will guarantee you one.
Holiday Inn University-Blacksburg would like to welcome you to Virginia Tech and the Parent’s Key Club. If you have any questions please call our Front Desk at 540-552-7001 or email us at PKC@thevthotel.com
New Virginia Tech Visitor’s Center to be open in time for 2011 Orientation
Virginia Tech New Student Orientation will take place beginning July 11th. Two day sessions provide students and parents with the opportunity to meet other new Hokies, register for classes, and receive their Hokie Passport (student id), experience life in the residence halls and much more.
This year new Hokies and their families will be the first to experience the new visitor’s center. This signature building will establish a new, mo
re convenient, front door to campus. The new center will have dedicated space for information sessions, interactive displays showcasing different aspects of the university and a two-story atrium with views overlooking the Duckpond, Burruss, and Lane Stadium.
Day one of orientation begins with check in from 8-9:30am where incoming freshmen will begin by meeting 30 energetic Orientation Leaders who will guide them through the full two days ending at around 4:00 pm on the second day. Click here for a tentative schedule.
Things to Bring to Orientation
- YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER!
- Official/unofficial copies of your transcripts, AP scores, and IB scores
- Driver’s license or international passport
- Walking shoes
- Comfortable Clothes including a sweater or sweatshirt
- Alarm Clock
- Fan
A complete orientation checklist is available here.
Parking
Expect lots of walking, as there is only one lot where attendees will be allowed to park, at the intersection of Southgate and Spring Road, without receiving a ticket. A shuttle bus will be offered on day 1 but day 2 attendees should be prepared with proper shoes and attire that fits the weather.
Lodging and Meals
Parents, your child is going to college, not you. Forget the on campus accommodations and meals, and come stay with us at the Holiday Inn University Blacksburg. We are conveniently located right across the street from campus and provide complimentary shuttle service to campus. Our newly renovated hotel boasts 42” flat panel tv’s, custom built Amish furniture, granite counter tops and more. For your meals, we offer room both room service, as well as a full service restaurant and after your long day at orientation come relax by our pool.
Best of all parents, the Holiday Inn Blacksburg offers something no other hotel in Blacksburg does!
Parents Key Club: Join and ear EXCLUSIVE benefits when you use your membership at our hotel.
Discounts on Hotel Rooms Catering and our Restaurant • Discounts for Referring Friends and Family• Earn Double Priority Club Points • Discounts at Participating Restaurants • Free Catered Tailgate During Home Football Games • Graduation Guarantee (earn a hotel room for graduation)* • Monthly Newsletter with Blacksburg Happenings • And Much More! Visit www.thevthotel.com/parentskeyclub to register, limited Memberships, for a full outline of eligibility and benefits email PKC@thevthotel.com. Only Available at Holiday Inn Blacksburg.
*Graduation Guarantee: Were you aware that that once graduation is announced our hotel along with others in the area, sells out in and hour. Bypass the hassle of the phone lottery for graduation reservations. If you are a parent with incoming Freshmen graduating in 2015. Stay with us 20-25 nights and we guarantee 1 room for graduation. Stay with us 26-30 nights and we guarantee 2 rooms for graduation. Graduation rates apply. For more information on the graduation guarantee call our Front Desk 540-552-7001.
Improvements to Blacksburg’s Downtown
Beginning next year, it will be a little easier to get around town and take in the sights of Blacksburg.
Construction work began in the summer of 2010 on the North Main Street Improvement Project, which includes the half-mile stretch of Main Street from College Avenue through Prices Fork Road. The road is being reduced from two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes, to one 
lane in each direction with a shared center turning lane. A new traffic light will be installed at the Alumni Mall entrance to the Virginia Tech campus and the traffic light at Prices Fork Road will be removed and the busy intersection will be converted to a roundabout.
In addition to the traffic flow improvements, the project also includes many pedestrian, safety and aesthetic features. There will be additional pedestrian signals, street lighting, widened sidewalks and landscaping, in keeping with the Downtown Master Plan. The sidewalks will be wide enough to accommodate outdoor dining and public events. The brick sidewalks will be complemented with black benches, seating walls, landscape planters and trees. The area across from Alumni Mall will be designed as a scenic seating area with space for public gatherings, as well. The end result, when the project is completed in spring 2012, will be an enhanced, inviting streetscape extending from downtown to Prices Fork Road. Read more.
Romantic Getaways in the New River Valley
Huffman House at Creekside Farm
When you think of romantic getaways, what usually comes to mind? As secluded tropical paradise, a trip to Paris, or some other faraway destination. Any of those would be fabulous but don’t overlook what’s right under your nose. Here are just a few romantic spots in the New River Valley that are worth a look for a romantic weekend or honeymoon.
- Trinkle Mansion Bed & Breakfast
- Huffman House at Creekside Farm
- Oaks Victorian Bed & Breakfast Inn
- Maison Beliveau
- Grove at Radford
To get more information on these and other romantic destinations in the NRV click here!
Virginia Tech Tailgate
Love to tailgate but don’t like all the work that goes into it? We have the perfect solution for you! Come tailgate with us at the Holiday Inn.
Saturdays Sep 3rd, Sep 17th, Oct 1st, Oct 8th, Oct 22nd. Come join us and enjoy a fantastic complimentary pre-game tailgate. There will be food, refreshments and fun games for everyone.
Click here for the full Hokie schedule and stay tuned for more details…..
Lunch Pail Defense Foundation
The Lunch Pail Defense concept developed by Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster has made the Virginia Tech Hokies legendary. However, most people don’t know how it came about or what it stands for. Pulling from his upbringing in the coal mining areas of Illinois, Foster chose the steel pail as a symbol of the blue collar working-man’s ethic of the Hokie defensive team. The battered pail features the word “WIN” on the front, embodying Foster’s strategy for game play…and for life:
“’W-I-N’ – (What’s Important Now) To make change; to influence; to use this moment to be better than the last; to achieve greatness in all aspects of your life; win at home. Win at school. Win at business. Win at life.” The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation is committed to fulfilling its Scholarship Mission to award a need based academic scholarship to an eligible candidate that otherwise best meets the criteria as set forth in the Application materials below.
Join us on Saturday, April 23rd – 1st Annual Spring Pail Party
The Lunch Pail Defense Foundation invites you to the 1st Annual Spring Pail Party on April 23rd from 6-10pm at the Holiday Inn-Blacksburg (900 Price’s Fork Road in Blacksburg)! Coach Foster and a panel of VT All-Stars* will take part in an Interview by Will Stewart of TechSideLine.com and guests can participate in a Q & A session to follow. A VIP “After Party and Silent Auction” will follow with a limited number of tickets available. Proceeds will benefit the Lunch Pail Defense Foundation.
*Anticipated guests include: Macho Harris, D’Angelo Hall, Brandon Flowers, Justin Harper & Brenden Hill There are two ticket packages; so, click on the link below to get more info about the packets and to purchase your tickets: Click Here to buy tickets!
Hokie fans around the world revere the Lunch Pail as a symbol of Virginia Tech spirit, dedication, and commitment to excellence.
New and Improved
Executive Suite
Our new Presidential and Executive suites offer spacious surroundings with luxurious amenities. These two-room suites create the perfect environment for a hardworking business person or an extended stay guest.
The Executive Suite offers spacious surroundings with luxury amenities. These beautifully appointed two-room suites include a living area, a kitchenette with a separate freezer with a mini refrigerator, custom cherry cabinets, leather sleeper sofas and two 42-inch LCD HDTV’s. The separate bedroom has a king or queen bed with recessed lighting. The perfect environment for an extended stay guest.
Presidential Suite
surroundings with upgraded amenities. These beautifully appointed two-room suites include a living area, half kitchen with a full size stainless steel refrigerator, custom cherry cabinets and built-ins, leather sleeper sofas and two 42-inch LCD HDTV’s. The bathroom has a double vanity granite sink, linen closet and choice of a walk-in shower or bathtub. Come by for a visit!
Summer Live Concert Series
The weather is getting warmer and with summer just around the corner we are gearing up for the 2nd Annual Summer Live Concert Series. During the months of June and July bring your own blanket or chair and come enjoy the lovely summer evenings on our patio grooving to the sounds of local bands and enjoying delicious food hot off the grill. Admission is free and donations benefit the United Way. Stay tuned for more details and the bands that will be joining us for the summer fun. See photos from last year!
The VT Hotel 