Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan Adopted Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan 2 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan South Boston Planning Commission George Leonard (Chair) Fields Thomas (Vice-chair) Ken Buckley Harriet Claiborne Beverly Crowder Sharon Harris (Town Council Representative) James Landrum, Jr. South Boston Town Council Edward Owens (Mayor) Robert Hughes (Vice-Mayor) Joe Chandler Thomas Elliott Winston Harrell Sharon Harris W. R. Snead South Boston Town Manager Thomas Raab Assisting Consultants Revised by: The Town of South Boston 3 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan 4 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 9 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 11 II. COMMUNITY VISION AND GOALS ...................................................................................... 15 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE ............................................................................................................... 15 COMMUNITY GOALS ......................................................................................................................... 15 Environment .................................................................................................................................. 15 History and Culture ...................................................................................................................... 15 Economic Development ................................................................................................................. 16 III. PLANNING HISTORY ................................................................................................................. 17 IV. SOUTH BOSTON AND THE REGION .................................................................................... 19 A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON .............................................................................................. 19 SOUTH BOSTON AND THE SOUTHERN VIRGINIA REGION .............................................................. 21 Demographics and Socio-Economic Indicators .............................................................................. 22 Summary Trends and Implications ............................................................................................... 28 Relevant Regional Plans and Studies ............................................................................................ 29 V. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS .................................................................................... 33 PEOPLE, NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING ..................................................................................... 33 People and Population ................................................................................................................... 33 Housing and Neighborhoods ......................................................................................................... 34 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 37 Guiding Policies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 37 Special Action Projects .................................................................................................................. 39 EDUCATION AND HEALTH ............................................................................................................... 45 Schools ........................................................................................................................................... 45 Higher Education ........................................................................................................................... 45 Libraries ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Health Care Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 47 Social Services ................................................................................................................................ 47 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 48 Guiding Policies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 48 Special Action Projects .................................................................................................................. 49 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................................. 55 Employment and Industry ............................................................................................................. 55 Downtown ..................................................................................................................................... 57 Entrance Corridors ........................................................................................................................ 59 5 Comprehensive Plan 2040 Progress and Preservation on the Dan Tourism .......................................................................................................................................... 60 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 61 Guiding Policies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 63 Special Action Projects .................................................................................................................. 64 HISTORY AND CULTURE ................................................................................................................... 70 Historic District & Resources ....................................................................................................... 70 Arts and Culture ........................................................................................................................... 70 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 71 Guiding Policies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 75 Special Action Projects .................................................................................................................. 76 PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION .......................................................................................... 78 Area Parks and Community Facilities ........................................................................................... 78 The Dan River ............................................................................................................................... 79 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 82 Guiding Policies and Actions ........................................................................................................ 83 Special Action Projects .................................................................................................................. 83 TRANSPORTATION............................................................................................................................. 87 Streets and Multi-modal Systems ................................................................................................. 87 Planned Transportation Improvements ......................................................................................... 93 Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................................................................... 99 Guiding Policies and Actions ...................................................................................................... 101 Special Action Projects ................................................................................................................ 102 PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................................................................... 103 Public Safety ................................................................................................................................ 103 Water and Sewer .......................................................................................................................... 103 Solid Waste .................................................................................................................................. 104 Broadband/Communications ....................................................................................................... 104 Challenges and Opportunities ..................................................................................................... 105 Guiding Policies and Actions .....................................................................................................