DonnKenny redevelopment faces ‘long road ahead’
This engagement session was a way for Floyd residents to see the progress of the project and to share further ideas for what the Town and the community see happening with the more than 5-acre lot.
The Town of Floyd held a public engagement session on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Town Community Room to update the public and answer questions about the DonnKenny project.
Fred Esenwein, Project Manager and Architect at CJMW Architecture, presented to the full room of Floyd County residents about the project thus far. CJMW Architecture was commissioned through a planning grant that the Town of Floyd received that is also being administered through the New River Valley Regional Commission to look at the DonnKenny site.
Featuring jewelry by Pat Sharkey, cool rocks & gem specimens, and select rock/ gem jewelry and art from around the earth.
203 S. Locust St. Suite L
in The Station
540-230-7955
earthdancejewelrygems@gmail.com
The Virginia Tech Community Design Assistance Center was originally involved in a series of studies to determine how the site would work as it relates to feasibility and future development. CJMW is now looking at how to continue with the original plans Virginia Tech did and explore how a developer or interested party might make the land a viable project.
Esenwein presented two residential designs that Virginia Tech drafted – one with a portion of the DonnKenny building and one without the building. This was a starting point for CJMW to continue to build off of. The three types of housing drafted are – Townhouse, Apartment, and Duplex.
“This is to show a developer the possibility of what could be placed there in terms of different types of variety of housing,” Esenwein said during the session.
Hardwood, LVP, Carpet, Tile & Stone. We've got it all! Floyd Floor Co. brings quality and craftsmanship to every home for every budget. From design selection to expert installation, we handle everything. Call or visit our showroom to see what's new and get your free estimate today! 540-302-2858
Esenwein explained that if a portion of the DonnKenny building was not demoed, there would be a good deal of space for a potential Farmer’s Market, restaurant and additional space.
Attendees spoke up about what they would like to see happen to the site, along with the residential aspects, such as an Emergency Response Shelter, Indoor Recreation facility, or even a daycare.
One attendee asked about water and sewer to the site and another mentioned a traffic study. Both Town Manager Andrew Morris and Esenwein answered that those specific studies have not taken place as of right now.
“From my perception, when we get closer to dialing in what’s really going to go there, then we would look at a traffic study,” Morris responded during the meeting.
From custom homes and renovations to decks and additions, Esensten Construction delivers dependable craftsmanship across Floyd and the surrounding areas. Locally owned, Class A licensed, and built on integrity—every project is done right, start to finish. Call today to discuss your project.
540-232-9534
This engagement session was a way for Floyd residents to see the progress of the project and to share further ideas for what the Town and the community see happening with the more than 5-acre lot.
“This is a possibility of a development to entice someone to take interest in the possibility,” Esenwein said. “At the end of the day, it may be something different. We're not going so far as to engineering and calculations on all of that, but we are trying to flag how things may have to be adjusted on the site to accommodate that.”
As far as the timeline and specifically about when development might start, the answer was that there is “a long road ahead.”
“The timeline can vary a lot at this point,” Morris said.
