A small area study will commence this month to examine congestion and safety issues at the intersection of US 250 & Woodrow Wilson Ave / Lifecore Drive in Fishersville. The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) is leading this effort in partnership with Augusta County, VDOT and an engineer selected from the CSPDC On-call Consultant program.

The study area extends along US 250 between Idlewood Boulevard and Barren Ridge Road; and on Woodrow Wilson Avenue (VA 358) from US 250 to the Y intersection with Hornet Drive. The study will analyze observed and recorded congestion and safety issues, evaluate a potential new connection to the Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center, and develop a set of short- and long-term improvement recommendations. The study is to be completed by the end of 2017.

The HOME Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) in the Central Shenandoah Valley region has received funding to assist approximately eight firsttime, low- to moderate-income homebuyers in 2017.

Created to help eligible homebuyers obtain decent, safe and affordable housing, this program has helped approximately 240 people in our region grow their personal wealth and equity through homeownership.

Of the households the CSPDC has helped over the past few years:

• 41% percent have household income levels below 50% of the area median income.
• The majority of households have children under the age of 18 living at home.
• 40% are single-parent households.
• Almost half are minority households represented primarily by Hispanic households, an increasing segment of the region’s minority population.

The CSPDC partners with lenders and housing providers in the area to identify eligible homebuyers. For more information on the HOME program, contact Kimberly Miller, kimberly@cspdc.org, 540-885-5174.

The 2017 Shenandoah Valley Project Impact Preparedness Calendar is now available. The demand for the free calendar remains high. In its ninth edition since 2003, the publication features preparedness tips and mitigation strategies for dealing with severe weather, emergencies, and disasters. The attractive calendar also contains historic photographs and fun holidays for each day of the year. The calendar is available at local government buildings and public libraries throughout the region. Contact Rebecca Joyce at rebecca@cspdc.org or 540-885-5174 for additional information.

The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission is soliciting proposals from interested parties to provide turnkey provision of transit service referred to as BRITE Bus.

The RFP document can be accessed here.

Click on the following links to view the amendments:

• Amendment 1, December 14, 2016
• Amendment 2, December 21, 2016
• Amendment 3, December 28, 2016
• Amendment 3 – Revised, December 29, 2016
  • Attachment 1 – ADA Summary Reports, Monthly Reports, and Ride Analysis Reports
  • Attachment 2 – Invoices
  • Attachment 3 – Call Logs
  • Attachment 4 – Current Contract
• Amendment 4 – December 29, 2016
  • Attachment 1 – Attachment 6.5, Cost Proposal Form & Unbundled Service Hour Rate Form
  • Attachment 2 – Route Map Legend
• Amendment 5 – January 3, 2017
  • Attachment 1 – NTD Data
  • Attachment 2 – Invoices
  • Attachment 3 – Bus Stop Information

A public meeting has been scheduled for 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. December 12, 2016 at the Crozet Public Library located at 2020 Library Avenue in Crozet. This Open House will provide information and solicit the public’s feedback as part of an interregional study of transportation needs in the I-64 corridor between Charlottesville and Staunton.

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission are undertaking a transportation study to examine transportation issues in the I-64 Corridor from Charlottesville to Staunton. The project will examine traffic congestion, transit, vehicle speeds and public safety issues. This Open House provides an opportunity to learn about the study and interact with the study team and agency officials. Most importantly, it will allow citizens the opportunity to provide input and identify areas of concern. The project study team will be available to answer your questions and take your comments.

For more information, please visit the study website: http://campo.tjpdc.org/i64-corridor/

“Fence Talk,” the Fields of Gold Farm Trail Newsletter that provides valuable information and resources to members of the Fields of Gold Farm Trail was published in October. This latest edition featured training and conference opportunities, marketing tools, and profiles of member farms and signature
events. Read the entire newsletter here: http://conta.cc/2fo4126

A series of community forums have been scheduled for the Braiding the Way for Outdoor Recreation initiative in the Rockbridge Area. The purpose of the forums is to give the public the chance to review inventoried outdoor recreation assets such as trails, parks, boat access points, campgrounds, and birding / wildlife sites and to provide input about specific outdoor recreation projects that are important to their families and the community.

The final forum for 2016 was held on December 5th at Fairfield Elementary School. Additional meetings are in the works for early 2017.