By Jessica Dillon
Martinsville City Council met Oct. 14 for several public hearings on rezoning ordinances and presented proclamations to prominent community members, including Joe Keiper, director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and Martinsville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley.
Council discussed and confirmed support for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Vision 2025 GO Virginia grant request.
“This area is growing,” City Manager Rob Fincher said. He noted that the region is the fastest-growing in Virginia. The first stage of the grant, for $1 million, will fund a study on economic development in the area.
“The only thing we are required to do is an in-kind matching $10,000,” Fincher clarified. “It can just be $10,000 worth of labor, not money.”
Council also held a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing the donation of city-owned real property to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of the City of Martinsville. The property, known as the Armory, consists of eight acres divided into two parcels.
“It was an eight-acre property divided into two properties,” Fincher said. The hearing addressed all eight acres.
Del. Eric Phillips expressed support for using the property for economic development.
“That’s our main economic corridor through that area,” he said.
Council held public hearings for approval of five rezoning ordinances, which were all approved. The ordinances cover properties along Commonwealth Boulevard, West Church Street, Emmanuel Street, and in the Five Points neighborhood.
Council also appointed members to the EDA board and approved the city’s holiday schedule.
In other matters, the council recognized:
* Proclamation honoring Dr. Zebedee Talley for 10 years of distinguished service as superintendent and a lifetime of dedication to education.
* Proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Frank W. Mariels, presented to Joe Keiper, executive director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
* Proclamation honoring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, presented to Pat Via, CEO and co-founder of MLC Cancer Foundation.
* Proclamation recognizing October as Code Compliance and Inspector Month, presented to the City Community Development Department.
