On October 9th, 2024, at 1:00 pm, the Bath-Highland Network Authority will hold a meeting at the Bolar Ruritan Club, 38 Bolar Lane, Monterey, VA 24465. For more information about the meeting, please contact Rachel Kinzer at 540-885-5174 or rachel@cspdc.org.
Monthly Archives: September 2024
UVA Partners with CSPDC to make Afton Express Free for Employees and Students
Beginning September 23, riders affiliated with the University of Virginia (UVA) will be able to ride the Afton Express fare-free. This benefit is provided by UVA Parking and Transportation’s new program WHAOO COMMUTE! Riders with UVA identification will simply show the driver their ID when boarding and will not need to pay a fare.
UVA has been a funding partner and proud supporter of the Afton Express since its launch in 2021. In 2020, UVA released their 2030 Sustainability Plan, which outlines the University’s goals to be carbon neutral by 2030, and fossil fuel free by 2050. Working toward those goals, Parking and Transportation is actively looking for ways to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on and around Grounds. The Afton Express plays a key role in these efforts by providing employees and students with an alternative mode of commuting to work and school.
In June 2024, Kendall Howell, Assistant Director for Parking and Transportation, presented at a Policy Board meeting of the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) on the value of the Afton Express from the UVA perspective. In this presentation, Mr. Howell shared that over 1,300 UVA employees live in the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and the urbanized portion of Augusta County. That number is even greater when including the rural portions of Augusta County and the counties immediately to the north and south. “The Afton Express provides the model to which all other regional [transportation] providers can aspire for their partnership with UVA” remarked Mr. Howell.
The WAHOO Commute! Program provides benefits to UVA affiliates to encourage individuals to choose climate-friendly commute modes like biking, walking, carpooling, or riding public transit. You can learn more about the program by visiting UVA Parking and Transportation’s website at the following link: https://parking.virginia.edu/wahoocommute
CSPDC Holds Lewis Street Hub Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), with their BRITE partners, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Lewis Street Transit Hub Rehabilitation Project. Ann Cundy, CSPDC Executive Director; Zach Trogdon, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Acting Director/Chief of Transit; and Mayor Stephen Claffey, City of Staunton made remarks.
The newly rehabilitated Lewis Street Hub now features:
- New pavement & lighting
- ADA-accessible sidewalks & curb ramps
- Increased seating for passengers waiting for buses
- Beautiful landscaping in harmony with Historic Downtown Staunton
BRITE resumed service at the Lewis Street Hub starting on Friday, August 30, and it has been received well by riders and drivers, and passersby.
The CSPDS is grateful for collaboration with the City of Staunton, along with funding and support from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and DRPT. Additional thanks to Kimley-Horn, McDonough Bolyard Peck (MBP), and WSP for their technical expertise, and Virginia Infrastructure for their great work and timely completion of the project.
Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Survey Now Available
The CSPDC is updating its Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan in collaboration with our local government appointees and community partners. Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters before they happen. Some examples of hazards and threats to consider include flooding, drought, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and critical infrastructure failure. Mitigation plans allow community leaders to:
- Assess its risks and vulnerabilities to natural hazards and man-made threats
- Create strategies to save lives, and reduce damage to properties and infrastructure
- Become more resilient by creating an environment to bounce back more quickly after an incident
- Gain access to State and Federal funding opportunities for pre- and post-event efforts
By completing the Public Input Survey, you will help the CSPDC gain a better understanding of the public’s perspective of how we currently manage the potential hazards and threats in our region. Access the survey here through December 15, 2024: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSHMP_Survey, or use the QR code below.
For more information, please contact CSPDC Regional Planner Rachel Kinzer at rachel@cspdc.org or (540) 885-5174 ext. 113.
HRMPO Launches Port Republic Road, Peach Grove, Neff Av Study to Address Growth and Safety
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) is set to embark on its Fiscal Year 2025 small area study focusing on the Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Avenue, and Neff Avenue corridor. This comprehensive analysis, scheduled to begin in September 2024, aims to create a forward-thinking framework for managing growth, improving multimodal transportation options, and enhancing safety in this vital area of Harrisonburg. The study area, covering approximately three square miles, centers on the intersection of Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Avenue, and Neff Avenue.
This intersection currently operates at Level of Service D during PM peak hours and has the highest crash total in the HRMPO region, with 88 crashes and 34 injuries reported from 2019 to 2023. Key objectives of the study include streamlining the land use and site plan development process, reducing uncertainty for developers and city staff, and envisioning improvements that benefit the regional transportation system. The study will analyze existing conditions, project traffic demand through 2045, and develop three to four alternative scenarios, including a no-build option.
The study is expected to conclude in spring 2025, with regular updates provided to the HRMPO board and the public throughout the process. The final report will include detailed analyses, recommended improvements, and an implementation plan to guide future development and transportation enhancements in the study area.
For more information on the Port Republic Road, Peach Grove Neff Avenue Study and upcoming opportunities for public input can be found here: https://hrvampo.org/current-studies/port-republic-road-peach-grove-neff-avenue-small-area-study/
CSPDC Celebrates 55 Years of Service to the Region!
The CSPDC was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in September 1969 to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation services to its five counties, five cities, and eleven towns. For the past 55 years, the CSPDC has assisted its localities with a variety of economic and community development programs that improve the economic vitality of the region and the quality of life of its citizens.
Signature programs and projects over the years include Project Impact, Fields of Gold, BRITE Bus, Afton Express, Bike the Valley, and many, many more.
Waynesboro South River Preserve Tree Planting Set for Fall Planting
The CSPDC Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) program, which is administered through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), is funding a tree and native vegetation planting project for the City of Waynesboro’s South River Preserve Project. The funding will be used to replace five acres of former industrial land and an impervious surface along the South River with native trees and plant species to establish a floodplain, forest, and meadow.
The city completed spring plantings in March and April and will complete the final planting phase this fall. The plantings will improve habitat along the South River and promote infiltration of runoff from the highly compacted soils and is part of a larger effort to improve water quality, protect wildlife habitat, and enhance recreational fishing.
CSPDC Welcomes New Staff
Rich Sagui and Danielle Gannon have been hired to fill open positions at the CSPDC.
Rich Sagui, Accountant
Rich Sagui joined the CSPDC as a Staff Accountant on August 12. He brings 23 years of experience in the accounting profession to the CSPDC. He’s worked for large corporations, nonprofits, and small to medium-sized businesses. He has extensive experience with the general ledger, analyzing financial statements, budgeting, annual audits, month and year-end closes, and creating new and more efficient financial policies and procedures. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Washington in Seattle and then pursued a master’s in business administration and accounting. Originally from Burlington Vermont, he recently relocated to Staunton to be closer to family. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking in nature, and practicing yoga and meditation.
Danielle Gannon, Transit Planner
Danielle Gannon joined the CSPDC as our newest Regional/Transit Planner on August 16. She is a recent graduate of San Diego State University, earning her master’s degree in sociology. At SDSU, Danielle worked as a teaching associate for multiple sociology classes and worked on a variety of qualitative and quantitative research projects and initiatives. On one such project, Danielle analyzed migratory patterns and survey responses to examine the relationship between individual and place. Within this analysis, Danielle examined the characteristics that residents value in the places where they reside, which led to a deeper understanding of what individuals need and want from our communities. Through her education at SDSU, as well as her former work and life experiences, Danielle has developed a sociological lens that informs the work she does as a planner, striving to design and sustain equitable and enriching communities that serve the people who live in them. Danielle lives in Staunton and loves to enjoy the outdoors with her dog, Frankie.