Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
A hotel, restaurant and convenience store are being planned for a section of the 177 corridor near Carilion New River Valley Hospital.
This past week, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors reviewed a conditional change in zoning from agriculture to general business for an extended stay hotel.
The corridor includes a diamond interchange with I-81, southeast of Radford. The road continues south as SR 600 (Tyler Road) past Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. SR 177 heads northwest as Tyler Road, a four-lane divided highway.
Most recently a new gas station opened near the Vintage Virginia antique mall. Food City grocery opened at the edge of the corridor near Rock Road, and additional development has been rumored for in and around that location. The new businesses would be located off Meadow Creek Road.
A 177 corridor agreement dates to 1993 when a three-judge circuit court panel approved the plan between Radford and Montgomery County.
The corridor pact outlines cooperation between the city and the county in developing the 6.2-square-mile area of the county straddling Virginia 177, which joins Tyler Avenue and connects Radford with Interstate 81.
NRV Carilion medical center was the first development on the corridor.
The recent discussion with Montgomery County would allow for a convenience store directly to the left of the hospital with an extended stay. A restaurant would be located next to the convenience store and gas station.
The City of Radford has reviewed the new application and expressed no objection to the requested changes.
Approximately four parcels totaling three acres would be built out over the next two years. A developer has said the extended stay hotel agreement was waiting for the rezoning.
The property is located at the intersection of Tyler Road (US Route 177) and Meadow Creek Road (State Route 658), identified as Tax Parcel No(s). 104-A-27B (Parcel ID Number 008939), in the Riner Magisterial District.
The property is currently zoned Agricultural (A1) and lies in an area designated as Urban Expansion in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and Planned Commercial in the Route 177 Corridor Plan.
By a 7-0 vote, supervisors approved the change in zoning.