Category Archives: Main Featured

CSPDC Honored at ACEC Virginia Engineering Excellence Awards

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Pictured Left to Right: Jeff LaHood, Jon Oliver, Chloe Harwood, Paula Melester, Ann Cundy, Duncan Stewart, and Alan Saunders

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia recognized CSPDC with a Merit Award for the Lewis Street Transit Hub Project at the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on February 5th. The gala, held at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, celebrated outstanding engineering achievements across the Commonwealth. CSPDC’s Executive Director, Ann Cundy and Director of Transportation Paula Melester joined Lewis Street Hub project team members Duncan Stewart (MBP), Alan Saunders (DRPT), and Chloe Harwood, Jeff LaHood, and Jon Oliver (all of Kimley-Horn) for the evening’s festivities. Paula and Jeff LaHood accepted the award on behalf of the project team. 

The Lewis Street Transit Hub, completed in August 2024, represents a significant investment in BRITE Transit’s regional infrastructure and passenger experience. The Merit Award recognizes the project’s achievement in innovation, complexity, and value — a testament to the strong collaborative effort among CSPDC, Kimley-Horn, MBP, and DRPT throughout planning, design, and construction. CSPDC is proud to share this recognition with all the partners who helped bring this important transit facility to life. 

Bath County Awarded $75,000 Housing Rehabilitation Planning Grant

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Bath County has been awarded a $75,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to conduct a county-wide housing assessment to identify properties eligible for housing rehabilitation assistance. The grant will fund a comprehensive windshield survey as well as targeted home inspections to document existing housing conditions and rehabilitation needs. 

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, 21.1% of Bath County residents live below the poverty line, more than double the statewide average. In addition, more than 200 households are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing, with at least one-third of those households allocating more than 50%. Many of these households include low-income seniors, single-earner families, and renters with extremely limited incomes. With few affordable housing options available, residents in Bath County may be at risk of displacement or homelessness if their homes become unsafe or uninhabitable. 

Through this planning process, Bath County and its partners will be well positioned to develop targeted housing rehabilitation strategies to preserve existing housing stock. Bath County Administrator Mike Bender expressed appreciation for the award, stating, “We welcome efforts to support our citizens and are grateful to the Planning District Commission for assisting Bath County with this important work.” 

Transit Equity Day & Winter Storm Fern Response

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BRITE Bus celebrated Transit Equity Day on February 4 with fare-free rides on all BRITE routes. Transit Equity Day pays homage to Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks and her courageous acts in fighting for the right to equitable transportation. This day of action serves as a reminder of the importance of removing barriers to accessible transportation. 

Prior to honoring Ms. Parks’ legacy, Winter Storm Fern impacted operations. BRITE Bus prepared for the storm by ending service early on January 24, and provided fare-free rides for the day so residents could access transportation without barriers to prepare for the storm. Once services resumed, BRITE staff reiterated to riders how to safely access BRITE services with the plethora of snow/ice around typical bus stops and pedestrian infrastructure. We thank the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and Augusta County staff who assisted in making the bus stop areas accessible to riders. 

Take Our Regional Flood and Stormwater Survey

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The CSPDC has launched a new public survey inviting residents, business owners, and community members to share their experiences with flooding and stormwater issues in their communities.  

Survey responses will direct how and where funding is prioritized to address flooding concerns across the region through the Central Shenandoah Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan, a regional process to better understand and address flooding at the local level. The Plan will help participating localities identify priority infrastructure projects — from traditional stormwater improvements to green infrastructure solutions — and position them to compete for construction funding through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF). 

Localities must have an adopted Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan in place to qualify for CFPF construction funding, and broad public participation a critical input for the process. 

What the Survey Covers 

The survey asks participants to identify where flooding or drainage problems occur, how frequently they happen, and how they affect neighborhoods, roads, and public spaces. Responses will be combined with technical data and local government input to guide project identification and planning across the region. 

The survey is open to all residents and stakeholders in the Central Shenandoah region and takes just a few minutes to complete. 

Access the survey: https://connect.cspdc.org/flood-and-stormwater-resilience-plan 

Hazard Mitigation Plan Enters Final Review Stage

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After nearly two years of regional collaboration, the updated Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan has entered formal review. In late January, the CSPDC submitted a full draft to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) for review, the first step in a multi-agency approval process expected to take several months. 

Once the state review is complete, the plan advances to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has up to 45 days to evaluate compliance with federal hazard mitigation planning requirements (44 CFR Part 201). If the plan meets all requirements, FEMA will grant conditional approval pending local adoption. That local adoption step is critical: participating jurisdictions must formally adopt the plan to remain eligible for federal and state grant programs aimed at reducing the impact of disasters. 

This update marks the third full revision of the plan since its original adoption in 2005. The extensive process engaged 5 cities, 5 counties, 11 towns, 3 special districts, roughly 30 agencies and organizations, and community members. Four steering committee meetings, individual consultations with each participating locality, and public surveys drawing input from more than 450 residents shaped the final product. 

The plan identifies flooding, wildfires, and severe winter weather as the region’s highest natural hazard risks. These risks reflect a combination of historic development patterns along rivers, densely forested ridgelines, and the elevation changes that define the region’s terrain. Among human-caused hazards, hazardous materials incidents rank as a leading concern, reflecting the region’s location along the Interstate 81 corridor and its manufacturing base. The plan also addresses a distinctive regional challenge: maintaining reliable emergency communications within the constraints of the National Radio Quiet Zone and the area’s complex mountain geography. 

To read the draft plan and share feedback, visit https://connect.cspdc.org/hazard-mitigation-plan 

Afton Express Releases 2025 Annual Report

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We are pleased to present the 2025 Afton Express Annual Report, which documents the commuter service’s performance, regional impact, and key initiatives from the past year. The report highlights the service’s fourth consecutive year of ridership growth, with 23,725 passenger trips recorded a 24% increase over 2024. This growth reflects Afton Express’ vital role in connecting the Central Shenandoah Valley and the Greater Charlottesville region. 

We hope you will review the Annual Report to learn more about milestones like implementing schedule optimization to better align the service with commuter travel patterns, and broader regional outcomes associated with the service, including cost savings for riders, reductions in vehicle miles traveled, and improvements to quality of life for the regional workforce. The 2025 Afton Express Annual Report is available for review here: Afton Express Annual Report

New Census Data is Here: 2020-2024 ACS Estimates Released

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The wait is over for the latest demographic profiles of our region. On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau officially released the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. As the “gold standard” for local planning, the ACS provides the most comprehensive look at social, economic, housing, and demographic trends across the country. This latest release is particularly notable as it introduces eight new tables specifically focused on housing and race, offering deeper insights into our community’s makeup. 

The CSPDC serves as a central hub for regional data. This fresh information allows our staff to support city officials, local businesses, and non-profits with precision. These figures are the backbone of critical decisions including determining exactly where funding and services are needed most, planning for affordable housing, and informing disaster preparedness, transportation planning, and agritourism development. 

To make this data accessible, the CSPDC is updating our Facts & Figures reports. These sub-regional reports are easy-to-read snapshots of people, jobs, and schools data. Stay tuned for the official release of these updated sub-regional profiles in the coming weeks. 

Save the Date: VAPDC Funding and Financing Workshop

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On May 13th, 2026, CSPDC will host the first of four super-regional workshops organized by the Virginia Association of PDCs (VAPDC). The day-long workshop is intended for local and regional economic development staff, lenders and developers to learn about funding and financing opportunities available from state and federal agencies for public infrastructure projects. The Virginia Resources Authority will provide a lunch-time keynote presentation.  

The workshop will take place at Hotel 24 South in Staunton. We look forward to sharing more details about registration and the final agenda this spring.  

CSPDC Issues Intent to Award Contract for BRITE Transit

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NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD CONTRACT

DATE ISSUED: February 15, 2026
RFP No. 2025-001
PROJECT NAME: Turnkey Contract for Transit Operations and Maintenance Services
INTENT TO AWARD TO: Resource Management Systems, Inc.
SOLICITATION TYPE: Competitive/Request for Proposals – Best Value
AMOUNT: $23,622,452

This is a notice of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC)’s intent to award the Turnkey Contract for Transit Operations and Maintenance Services (RFP #2025-001) for the BRITE Transit system. Two bids were received for this solicitation and both were determined to be competitive and responsive. This notice indicates the intent to award and should not be considered an official award of the contract.

In accordance with CSPDC Procurement Policy, time must be allotted for participating firms to comment on or protest the award decision. Protest procedures allow that written protests must be submitted no later than ten (10) days after the announcement of the decision to award. Any offeror who wishes to protest this Notice of Intent must file the protest within ten (10) days from the posting of this notice in accordance with the CSPDC’s protest procedures.

Written protests shall be submitted to:

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Attn: Ann Cundy
112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401

The CSPDC ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this program, or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or language access, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at (540) 885-5174. Sign language or non-English language interpreters and accessible formats for the visually impaired will be provided if needed and requested from the CSPDC no later than seven working days prior to any meetings or deadlines to submit public comment.

 

CSPDC Holds Inaugural State of Transit Event

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People sitting at tables

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) hosted a “State of Transit” event to celebrate public transportation and highlight the accomplishments of the BRITE Bus system over the past year. The event brought together regional partners, stakeholders, and community members for an afternoon focused on reflecting on progress, discussing what lies ahead for transit in the region, and premiering BRITE’s “Value of Transit” video.

Attendees heard from voices in the transit community as CSPDC staff outlined recent service improvements, expanded partnerships, and efforts to improve accessibility across the BRITE network. The program emphasized how public transit continues to support access to jobs, services, and daily destinations throughout the region, while also sharing updates on the BRITE system and exploring what lies ahead.

The event concluded with the premiere of BRITE’s new “Value of Transit” video, which showcased the essential role public transportation plays in supporting regional mobility and quality of life. The video highlighted the many ways BRITE connects communities and reinforces the importance of continued investment in transit as a vital regional resource. You can view the video below.