Wythe County desires to enter into an agreement with an experienced real estate firm or developer with the experience and contacts necessary to market 46 acres of County property for retail, major hotel, hospitality, dining and housing.
Wythe County is located midway between Bristol and Roanoke at the crossroads of Interstates 77 and 81, with 1.44 million people living within a 75-mile radius. The County owns 30.94 acres adjoining Chapman Road between Wytheville and Fort Chiswell. This frontage road along both interstates is located just off Exit 77.
The property adjoins the County-owned Hitachi Energy Arena, a 5,394-capacity concert venue and 3,600-seat hockey arena, home of the Blue Ridge Bobcats, concerts and exhibitions. This season, Appalachian State University Hockey will play four home Division I games against College of Charleston and the University of Tennessee.
The County wants to attract significant hotels and restaurants to the property to support the Hitachi Energy Arena, and is open to a variety of development formats, property subdivisions and development layouts. The County is willing to work with one or more developers. The County has a conceptual master plan, but is open to changes to that plan. Use of new market tax credits and other tax-advantaged investments will be considered.
The County owns an additional utility-served 15 acres adjoining the same property. That acreage is suitable for higher-density housing development, single-family homes, apartments, condominiums or town homes. The County is open to proposals from private developers, and would prefer to help ease local housing demand through higher density development. The location has expansive vistas including Big Walker Mountain, Hamilton’s Knob and Sand Mountain, adjoining both existing single-family neighborhoods and the Hitachi Energy Arena.
Real estate firms and developers interested in submitting proposals should have extensive experience in marketing major interstate-connected developments, a wide variety of commercial hospitality and retail contacts and a commitment to land the best possible developments for the County’s future economic growth.
Respondents should reply to the County by 2 p.m. Friday, September 27, 2024 with a letter of interest, detailed qualifications, pricing basis, marketing plan philosophy, and references. Direct any questions regarding this solicitation to Matthew C. Hankins, Deputy County Administrator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Property tours are available upon request.
Submit responses to:
Wythe County Board of Supervisors
ATTN: Chapman Road Development
340 South Sixth Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Respondents should expect to interview with County staff in late September or early October, with selection scoring based on quality of response, demonstrated experience, marketing plan, references and qualifications. The County expects to enter into negotiations with the selected firm in October. The County of Wythe is an equal opportunity offeror.