Two years ago, officials in the Town of Vinton waited patiently to hear if they had received the much-anticipated Virginia’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). They had worked tirelessly to ensure their application exhibited their dedication to changing the downtown area for the better.
And their efforts paid off. Vinton received a $700,000 grant to help improve downtown. According to town manager Chris Lawrence, there are five key steps to reaching their goal of revitalization.
Creating Curb Appeal
One of the first steps to improvement began with aesthetics, says Chris Lawrence, Vinton’s town manager. New entrance signs and basic landscaping on the major corridors (Washington Avenue, Virginia Avenue and Va. 24) helped create a more inviting gateway to downtown.
This same concept will carry into downtown, with streetscape upgrades such as new sidewalks, lampposts, benches and crosswalks.
“We want it to be an attractive area to walk around,” Lawrence says.
Storefront Upgrades
Much has already been done to enhance the look of downtown buildings, as several businesses took advantage of Vinton and Roanoke County’s mini-matching grant façade improvement program. Through that program, businesses could receive up to a $5,000 match to enhance storefronts. Now, thanks to the CDBG, “there is a way to leverage multiple funding sources and still invest in your own business,” Lawrence says.
The aim of the façade program is to create a small town, 1940s-esque design for the downtown area, Lawrence says. Those businesses already transformed – such as Vinton Appliance Center and Vinton’s Professional Hair Stylist – feature awnings, new signage, lighting and landscaping.
Market Makeover
Lawrence says that while the Vinton Farmers Market has the essentials that make it functional (a pavilion and vendor stands), the area is not as attractive as it could be.
“We’d like to soften things a bit,” he says. “There are areas of concrete and asphalt that can become grassy areas, we could add trees and make it a more inviting place for concerts – like Mingle at the Market – and festivals.”
Attracting New Businesses, Updating Existing Ones
A revolving loan fund was created not only to entice new businesses to downtown Vinton, but also to help existing businesses make improvements or renovate.
“For new businesses, it can help them buy the property or help cover start-up costs,” Lawrence says. “And the town becomes a partner in helping a new business come to the area and succeed.”
Branding a Town
Spirit. Community. Valor. Celebration. These key words are helping Vinton develop a brand. Ideas for marketing the area as a great place to visit are still in the works, but Lawrence says their main objective is to use the brand to convey what Vinton is to residents and the local market.
“We’re taking a family-focused direction and are looking at how to capture that from a marketing standpoint,” he says.
