Blacksburg mayor raises concerns about Virginia Tech’s expanding student population
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — During her State of the Town address, Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith said it is unsustainable for the town to support “an imbalance” between the students and town people.
“Fifteen thousand citizens — tax paying, working — can’t keep paying the way for 30,000 students and growing,” the Mayor said.
From housing issues to the cost of resources, the Blacksburg mayor is looking to Virginia Tech to do more to alleviate the pressure its growth is having on the town.
“A hundred students compared to 30,000, ok doesn’t sound like a lot. But the truth is, in our small town with no place to expand and a transportation grid that is already stressed, a hundred students is another apartment complex every year,” said Hager-Smith.
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In her address, she listed many issues she says are creating a large imbalance in Blacksburg.
In addition to a lack of housing, the mayor says students don’t pay taxes at the same rate residents in the town do but require more resources.
“They require more policing and they require more mental health services from the county and from ancillary organizations, and they require more hot water,” shared Hager-Smith.
In a statement, Mark Owczarski, a spokesperson with Virginia Tech told WFXR News the following regarding the Mayor’s statements:
While we disagree with some of the characterizations the mayor has made, the university has been and will remain 100 percent committed to working with the town and other local partners to address concerns that are raised.
While Mayor Hager Smith says the town and the university have had talks about many issues, she feels the public should be part of the conversation as well. She is urging residents to sign up for “Citizen’s Alert” and “Let’s Talk Blacksburg” to stay informed.
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