Bristol VA designates former Virginia Intermont campus “blighted”

The Bristol, Virginia City Council passed an ordinance on first reading Tuesday evening to consider a parcel of land on the former Virginia Intermont College’s property as “blighted” and raise property taxes for its owner by 5%. The property on Moore Street was purchased in 2016 by a Chinese-owned company based out of New York. Leaders of the City of Bristol, Virginia said they’ve been trying for years to work with the owners of the property on restoration efforts. The ordinance must be approved on a second reading. It would then be formally adopted and go into effect 30 days after its adoption.