East Main Downtown Plan

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The City has applied for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, anticipated announcement date of June 2022. The proposed project will create many anticipated connections between East Main Downtown, America’s oldest river, and the history of rail and its distinct contributions to the community. The East Main River and Rail Downtown Connector Trail, involves the development of a new multipurpose trail, reimagined and activated community spaces, passive recreational areas, and modernized streetscapes.


Once complete, Radford will be able to connect its natural and cultural assets that residents and visitors can utilize while encouraging increased economic opportunities for businesses and positioning the area as a destination for restaurants, shopping, and living.


The City is also allocating local, state and federal funding resources to make parking lot improvements and pedestrian connection corridors along Third Avenue; building façade improvements along East Main Street and construction of a connecting trail from downtown to the New River via Bissett Park. The Radford Economic Development Authority also has plans to fund and expand a façade improvement program to assist local property owners with making needed building enhancements.







RADFORD FAMILY DENTAL 1129 EAST MAIN TYLER AVE + EAST MAIN














The Plan recognized the corridor’s valuable assets such as the well-established community fabric, historic buildings, proximity to the natural landscape and its immediately adjacent to Radford University. Planning policies, modification of regulations, guidelines and different types of physical improvement were suggested to work toward desired impact categories and areas. Furthermore, the Plan provided a vision and framework to attract new businesses, encourage downtown living, harness economic opportunities and influence the overall aesthetics. Examples of such improvements are well-designed streetscapes elements to encourage pedestrian use, narrower travel lanes to slow traffic, lighting fixtures, enhanced wayfinding and high-quality renovations of public parking lots. The Plan was completed in 2021.









Parking Analysis: Building Inventory:





The City has applied for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, anticipated announcement date of June 2022. The proposed project will create many anticipated connections between East Main Downtown, America’s oldest river, and the history of rail and its distinct contributions to the community. The East Main River and Rail Downtown Connector Trail, involves the development of a new multipurpose trail, reimagined and activated community spaces, passive recreational areas, and modernized streetscapes.


Once complete, Radford will be able to connect its natural and cultural assets that residents and visitors can utilize while encouraging increased economic opportunities for businesses and positioning the area as a destination for restaurants, shopping, and living.


The City is also allocating local, state and federal funding resources to make parking lot improvements and pedestrian connection corridors along Third Avenue; building façade improvements along East Main Street and construction of a connecting trail from downtown to the New River via Bissett Park. The Radford Economic Development Authority also has plans to fund and expand a façade improvement program to assist local property owners with making needed building enhancements.







RADFORD FAMILY DENTAL 1129 EAST MAIN TYLER AVE + EAST MAIN














The Plan recognized the corridor’s valuable assets such as the well-established community fabric, historic buildings, proximity to the natural landscape and its immediately adjacent to Radford University. Planning policies, modification of regulations, guidelines and different types of physical improvement were suggested to work toward desired impact categories and areas. Furthermore, the Plan provided a vision and framework to attract new businesses, encourage downtown living, harness economic opportunities and influence the overall aesthetics. Examples of such improvements are well-designed streetscapes elements to encourage pedestrian use, narrower travel lanes to slow traffic, lighting fixtures, enhanced wayfinding and high-quality renovations of public parking lots. The Plan was completed in 2021.









Parking Analysis: Building Inventory:




  • Radford University and city officials launch partnership to revive downtown Radford

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    “Moving to Main Street has been one of the best decisions I made for my business,” Kim Pugh said. “People drive by the studio, you can see them kind of slow down. And they look inside.”


    READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

  • Business Cycle: Radford awaits news on intersection development

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    Crews have removed three empty buildings from a downtown Radford intersection where the mayor anticipates new development will occur, but specific plans are still under wraps.

    READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

  • Pedestrian Detour on East Main

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    The improvements to the façade of the Dentist Office at 1151 East Main Street will be underway March 1, 2023. SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

  • Radford City, University Leaders Announce Business Collaboration, The Hub

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    City and University leaders announced the formation of The Hub at Radford, which will be shared by the city and college as a center for business development. The Hub will be located in the former SunTrust bank location on East Main Street, after it is repurposed. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE.

  • Arabica Coffee Now Open on East Main!

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    READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://radfordnewsjournal.com/arabica-cafe-celebrates-grand-opening-in-downtown-radford/

  • East Radford Historic District- NPS

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    Radford is located in southwestern Virginia on the banks of the New River. The area that would become modern-day Radford was settled by Colonel Edward Hammet and Dr. John Blair Radford in the 1830s. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

  • LOVE East Main

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    At the corner of Virginia Street and East Main Street, the new LOVEworks display serves as the starting point for the downtown area revitalization process that the city is working on.

    READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

  • Tyler Ave News

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    The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the City of Radford propose to construct Phase I of a new 2 lane connector road from Tyler Avenue to East Main Street.

    READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE