Bristol developer makes $1 million donation to Virginia Tech
December 7, 2016
Bristol developer Steve Johnson has made a gift of $1,000,025 toward the construction costs of the Virginia Tech Indoor Practice Facility at his alma mater.
The Virginia Tech Athletics Department made the announcement Wednesday. Johnson also made a second leadership gift commitment to launch Phase 2 of the Merryman Center renovations, most specifically, the total renovation of McConnell Auditorium and team meeting rooms.
“Through Steve’s continued generosity, we will be able to continue the modernization of our athletics facilities at Virginia Tech,” said Director of Athletics Whit Babcock. “Our entire athletics department has benefitted from the Indoor Practice Facility and will again benefit from the Phase 2 renovations of the Merryman Center and McConnell Auditorium, which was originally constructed in 1996. The upgrades to our football meeting spaces will help keep the Hokies competitive with other nationally renowned programs and assist in our recruiting efforts of the best-and-brightest. On behalf of Hokies everywhere, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Steve for his ongoing dedication to helping students at Virginia Tech.”
Johnson currently serves as president and owner of Bristol, Virginia-based Johnson Commercial Development, one of the largest commercial developers in the Southeast. Johnson Commercial Development recently completed one of the largest commercial projects in the country, The Pinnacle, a one million-square-foot upscale retail development in Bristol, Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier: Former Virginia Tech football players Milton Franklin, left, and Steve Johnson, share stories with Mike Quillen and his wife before the Bristol Chamber Annual Awards Tailgate Kickoff on Friday. The theme was the Battle at Bristol Football game with Virginia Tech and University of Tennessee.
Story courtesy of Robert Sorrell/Bristol Herald Courier: Link