Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Martinsville’s former Bassett-Walker building sold for new industrial use
The former home of the Bassett-Walker textile company has been purchased with the plan to revive it as an industrial hub in Martinsville.
Commercial real estate investment firm Phoenix Investors last week announced its acquisition of the building. The purchase, according to figures provided by the city clerk of court’s office, totaled $6.75 million.
At approximately 813,000 square feet, the facility can accommodate multiple docks and offers around 200 parking spaces and 700,000 square feet of warehouse space, according to information provided by Phoenix.
“We have a variety of users in mind for the complex,” said Phoenix Managing Director Anthony Crivello. “Our goal is to attract one or more high-quality manufacturers to the site. The site has many unique attributes which will be valuable to such users.”
According to information provided by the Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation, the building is capable of a number of configurations to accommodate a wide range of businesses.
Previously, the building was owned by Resurgence Properties. Prior to Resurgence, the property was under the ownership of several short-term investors.
Crivello said minimal work will be needed to make the building tenant-ready.
“Sections of the building are in move-in-ready condition and the rest will be renovated within short order,” Crivello said.
According to the economic development corporation, all utilities are in place.
“The property in Martinsville has great bones and has been exceptionally well-maintained since it was built in the 1970s,” said founder and chairman Frank Crivello. “Phoenix is ready and willing to [divide] the property into smaller suites or as needed to accommodate tenant needs.”
— Dean-Paul Stephens
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Mount Rogers Health District launches community needs assessment survey
The Mount Rogers Health District has launched a community needs assessment survey to determine future health initiatives for the region.
The survey includes questions about the region’s most pressing health concerns, as well as about the participant’s own access to health care.
All adults within the community are encouraged to participate in the five-minute survey: https://redcap.link/2024MRHDSurve. It will be online until May 31 and is available in Spanish and English.
For more information, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mount-rogers/.
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Blue Ridge Parkway seeks public comment on changes to camping fee structure
The National Park Service is seeking public comment on proposed fee changes for camping and other associated fees on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Proposed rate changes include front country and backcountry camping site fees, as well as non-camper user fees for shower and dump-station services, according to a news release from the Park Service. Recreation fees help pay for facility maintenance, campground improvement projects and campground operations.
Among the proposed changes: Back country campsites, which are currently free, would carry a $15 fee, while the fee for standard front country sites would rise from $20 to $30.
The full proposed fee structure is online.
The last major fee rate change on the parkway occurred in 2016.
Public comments will be accepted through March 15. New fees could be implemented as soon as this May.
Submit comments electronically at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLRI2024fees, or via mail to Blue Ridge Parkway HQ,199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803; RE: Campground fee comment.