The Town of Blacksburg has received the APVA Preservation Virginia Community Preservation Award for the Blacksburg Motor Company Rehabilitation Project. This project combined the renovation of the historic Blacksburg Motor Company with energy efficient and sustainable design.

“The selection committee felt the preservation and rehabilitation of an abandoned large scale downtown commercial building into a contributing part of an existing community is both a boost for Blacksburg and a model for other communities across the Commonwealth,” said Louis Malon, Director of Preservation Services, Preservation Virginia.

In addition to the Community Preservation Award, the Town of Blacksburg received certification from the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) for the Blacksburg Motor Company project after completing a three part review process.

Part one required the determination of historic significance of the structure. The Blacksburg Motor Company was listed individually in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in December 2007 based upon two criteria: the 1924 building was the first automobile dealership in the Town of Blacksburg and was constructed in the Art Moderne and Art Deco style, featuring many distinctive architectural details of that period.

Part two required the approval of the proposed work by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Federal Department of the Interior to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation for Historic Structures. Town staff met with the DHR multiple times during the design process to assure the renovation plans would comply with these standards. Much effort was made to preserve the original elements of the building in their original form. Finally, the construction documents were reviewed by these agencies and approved.

Part three required the certification of the completed work. This determined the completed rehabilitation work was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. In addition the application included a determination of the qualified rehabilitation expenses by a Certified Public Accountant. Approval of the application and certified eligible expenses was received on January 29, 2010. At completion, through various project partnerships with the Montgomery Economic Development Authority, the Blacksburg Partnership, and Sherwin Williams Paints, Inc., the Town received $1,112,687 in revenue from historic tax credits to offset the net cost of the project.

“The resultant product is a magnificent building that preserves the history of the town, contributes to downtown revitalization, showcases the community’s interest in maintaining that which is unique to Blacksburg, and demonstrates that historic preservation can be done in a sustainable, economical and practical manner,” said Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam.

For more information contact Terry Nicholson, Museum Administrator at tnicholson@blacksburg.gov or 540-558-0746.