Floyd Homefront, Part 4 [Final]: Town Efforts — Donnkenny and Harris Street
“Floyd Homefront” is a Floyd Times series that examines the ways in which the Floyd government is working to address the local housing crisis. Part 4, "Town Efforts,” focuses on projects within town limits.
![Floyd Homefront, Part 4 [Final]: Town Efforts — Donnkenny and Harris Street](/content/images/size/w2000/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-17-111737.png)
“Floyd Homefront” is a Floyd Times series that examines the ways in which the Floyd government is working to address the local housing crisis. Part 4, "Town Efforts,” focuses on projects within town limits.
In addition to county efforts already discussed in the Floyd Homefront series, the Town is also intentionally working on ways to address local housing needs through the development of “workforce-oriented housing” on the Donnkenny property, which is located behind Food Lion, and the sale of Harris Street properties to local developers.
Town Manager Andrew Morris said the Town team consistently receives direct feedback from local business owners about housing that is attainable for their employees. He said, “Housing is essential to supporting our local workforce and sustaining the Town’s economic future. When employees cannot find housing locally, they are forced to commute from surrounding areas or may choose employment elsewhere altogether. This creates staffing challenges for small businesses.”
Adding additional housing within Town limits is one way to help grow the local workforce and meet employee needs. In its efforts to do so, the Town acquired the Donnkenny property in late 2023 for $625,000 and sold properties on Harris and Main streets in August 2025. The addresses included in the sale were 115, 121, and 127 Harris St., and the Greenman Inn property at 120 W. Main St.
Environmental assessments have been completed at the Donnkenny property and “identified contaminants,” such as asbestos. Morris noted that “the next step is to pursue grant funding (which the Town is in the process of) to support the removal and proper remediation of the identified contaminants. Once funding is secured, the Town will proceed with environmental cleanup in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.”
Mayor Will Griffin said the Donnkenny site is “the single largest development opportunity our town will have in the next 20 years.”
Family-owned HVAC installation and services.
25 years of experience. Committed to excellence.
Financing available with approved credit.
540-745-4912
436 Floyd HWY S
“It is imperative that we get this right,” Griffin said. “It has the chance to shape the future of the town for future generations. Given our population of 450 or so, there is a chance this development could increase our town’s population by up to 20%. It will require tremendous financial investment and our role as government is to make sure it is done in a smart, sustainable way to ensure our future and maintain our heritage.”
The Town anticipates it taking three to five years for construction to begin, Morris said, as officials work through obtaining funding, and completing site remediation and project planning. He added that while there is not a fixed timeframe at this point, the Donnkenny Project is “anticipated to add a meaningful number of workforce-oriented housing units to the Town’s inventory.”
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that the Town of Floyd received grant funding of $262,500 specifically to benefit the Donnkenny Project and the “remediation of asbestos-containing material… enabling redevelopment into mixed-use projects with commercial and residential development.”
Initial planning for the Donnkenny site, which was completed in partnership with a team from Virginia Tech as a part of its annual Engagement Scholarship Consortium International Conference, incorporates local values (such as history and arts), and highlights walkability around town. More information about VT’s side of the project can be found here.
The old school building converted into three floors of almost all types of fabrics available, and craft supplies! Plus - an extra building of upholstery fabrics and supplies!
220 N. Locust St., Floyd VA
(540) 745-4561
sfabrics@swva.net
The Harris Street Redevelopment Project is being driven by local developers and teams from Edgell Properties, Baker Land and Properties, and Allboard Properties. Floyd County resident Shane Edgell, the manager of Edgell BIM (Building Integrated Modeling), said in December 2025 that the project is estimated to add three to six new housing units within Town limits, as well as greenspace and space for community gatherings.
While dependent on several factors, Edgell said, construction is estimated to start in the spring and last until 2028, though, he noted, “a lot can change” between now and then.
Edgell emphasized the team’s priority of keeping Floyd County values at the center of the Harris Street Redevelopment Project. He said, “The partnership consists of Floyd High School graduates, all members currently have/had children in the Floyd County school system, all members own/operate businesses in Floyd, and all members employ Floyd citizens,” Edgell noted. “We are all deeply ingrained and active in the Floyd community.”
Town Manager Morris said that due to the limited number of “vacant, developable lots” within Town limits, “the Town must be intentional and strategic when opportunities arise to add housing. Projects such as Donnkenny and Harris Street represent rare chances to thoughtfully plan and create workforce-oriented housing within Town limits.”
He noted, “It is also important to understand that when the Town participates in housing development, it is not to compete with the private market, but to address clear gaps identified by the community.”
Learn more about the Floyd County Housing Crisis through the complete Floyd Homefront series:
Editor’s Note: This fourth installment concludes the "Floyd Homefront" series, which explored the efforts and challenges of establishing additional, affordable, and safe housing for Floyd. However, as Town and County officials look toward the future of development, a critical question persists: How will new housing be impacted by the current state of the Floyd-Floyd County Public Service Authority? Catch up on "Beyond the Tap," a series that examines the state of the Floyd PSA and its complex hurdles here.