Radford Comprehensive Plan Updates: Radford Village Center and Foundry Industrial Area Conceptual Master Plans

The City of Radford is in the process of updating their 2009 Comprehensive Plan. As part of this process, several conceptual sketches that convey practical, yet visionary ideas for future development and redevelopment were needed. The city requested the Community Design Assistance Center’s help with this. The areas in need of conceptual sketches included the Radford Village Center and the Foundry Industrial Area, both located in the west end of the city.

The Radford Village Center is located roughly parallel to the Norfolk and Western Railway, Bisset Park, and the New River. The Village Center area consists of several blocks southwest of the Memorial Bridge and contains the West End Downtown Historic District. Currently the area contains some vacant/underutilized lots. Many of these lots are located between the West Main Street businesses and the rail line.

The city sees an opportunity to utilize this space to create a more usable open space for pedestrians and shop patrons as well as for limited infill development where appropriate. It is envisioned that the rear facades of these existing businesses will serve as “back porches” to a pedestrian friendly open space. The city requested that CDAC develop a master plan that takes advantage of the topography and river views. CDAC also looked at the potential for updating current parking in the area.

The Foundry Industrial Area consists of approximately 140 acres situated between Bolling and Denby Streets along the New River. Historically, the area has been used for heavy industrial manufacturing. The site may soon be open for redevelopment and the city is considering the opportunity for a light industrial business park. The Design Center worked with the city to develop a master plan of this area that included conceptual building layout and character, proposed trails, sidewalk/streetscaping elements along Main Street, and a potential pedestrian connection from the site to a trail along the river.

The following context map shows the locations of the two sites within the City of Radford, in relation to the New River, and Radford Village Center’s location near Bisset Park.