Collegiate Times

The building that was previously occupied by Blacksburg middle schoolers remains abandoned and deteriorating since the middle school was moved to its current location on Prices Fork six years ago.

A committee created by Montgomery County and the Town of Blacksburg is in the process of deciding what will be done with the site of the former Blacksburg Middle School.

The 50-year-old building has several leaks that have led to the near- destruction of the gymnasium floor.

Currently, the main building and the smaller building behind it are used for storage of old computers and furniture that the school system will eventually use in different places throughout the county or sell via online auction.

Although the school isn't occupied by students, Dan Berenato, facilities manager for Montgomery County Public Schools, said the state of the building is a problem for many reasons.

"It's a safety issue for one thing," Berenato said. "I just prefer not to have buildings deteriorate."

Berenato said there is also a risk of vandals doing damage to the unoccupied building, but he said that the site is checked up on regularly.

"We're keeping an eye on it," Berenato said. "And the police are monitoring the building a lot. It's alarmed, so if someone does go in there, we'll know."

Additionally, school board member David Dunkenberger said the site itself sends a bad message to people coming to see Virginia Tech, not just Blacksburg.

"The building is in such disrepair," Dunkenberger said. "And it's only going to get worse."

While the condition of the building continues to decline, the Old Blacksburg Middle School Transition Committee was created in November to decide what will be done with the site. The committee hopes to have a decision made by next year.

The committee, which is composed of three members from Montgomery County and three members from Blacksburg, is charged with the task of narrowing down various options to decide what the best use will be for the site.

The committee plans to hold a public hearing this April so citizens of Montgomery County and Blacksburg can express their opinions about what they'd like to see happen. Then, in August, proposals will be accepted and then narrowed down to five options by January 2009.

Two ideas that have been suggested are another elementary school or a new stadium for Blacksburg High School.

In the end, however, the members of the committee will have the final say on the future of the site.

"The school system and the county hope that they choose something that makes the property as valuable as possible," Berenato said. "So if and when we go to sell it, we can get the highest price."

Berenato said if the property is sold, it could end up being a good thing for Montgomery County Public Schools.

"If the school board decides to sell it, they would reinvest the money in all the other schools," Berenato said. "Which would benefit everyone."