Van Noy: ‘Pulaski continues to be in the conversation’

Pulaski Town Council last week heard the first of what are to be quarterly reports from Pulaski On Main Director Catherine Van Noy.

Van Noy reported on activities at Pulaski On Main (POM) since it re-opened in May. Pulaski On Main provides support services to local businesses and tourism in the downtown area.

“I see Pulaski On Main as being an important partner for all downtown organizations and businesses, and having a presence whenever we can,” Van Noy told council.

Activities since May included a visit June 6 of Virginia Main Street officials. Pulaski remains an affiliate member of the Main Street organization.

One of the most important activities for POM was the recent “sledge hammer and hard hat ceremony,” which heralded the beginning of West Main Development’s “pilot project.”

The over $2.5 million revitalization project undertaken by West Main Development will get underway with the creation first of Crescent City Café at 85 and 89 West Main Street and Next Generation Virtual Reality Experience Center at 94 West Main.

Crescent City is billed as a “New Orleans style” restaurant, complete with a stage for live music. It is expected to be open in about eight months.

The space above the café, at 87 West Main, will be converted into two, two-bedroom apartments.

The same is planned above the virtual reality venue, which aims to attract local students and visitors.

The project represents an investment by West Main Development along with the Virginia Housing Development Authority, Department of Housing Community Development, First Bank and Trust, Virginia Community Capital and other funding sources.

The recent “sledge hammer and hard hat” event attracted several local and regional business and government officials, interested local citizens and several local and regional media outlets.

“Pulaski continues to be in the conversation,” Van Noy told council last week. “I was recently in a meeting in Christiansburg and people there had taken note of the things going on here.”

Van Noy said she sees one of Pulaski On Main’s objectives as encouraging people to attend events downtown. She said monthly posters detailing coming events for the month are posted in various locations around town and are being created by POM.

Events upcoming include Pulaski On Main’s participation in the Sept. 15 Go Pulaski County effort. Van Noy said POM volunteers will be cleaning store windows, sweeping up cigarette butts and possibly pressure washing some buildings.

Other events include Harvest Market in October, Small Business Saturday participation the day after “Black Friday,” the Christmas Parade, Winter Market and a light program for the downtown.

Van Noy said Pulaski On Main is also working on completing a business and building inventory, which she said is a mandatory item for a Virginia Main Street community.

Also, a new advisory board has been formed for Pulaski On Main, with its first meeting set for Sept. 19.

Pulaski On Main is located at 83 West Main Street. The phone number is (540) 440-8773.

By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot