News
CSPDC Receives $3 Million Allocation for First-time Homebuyers’ Program
In July 2024, the CSPDC secured its second allocation of funding from Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program. With over $3 million in SPARC funds now available for eligible first-time homebuyers, the CSPDC can help more individuals achieve homeownership in the Central Shenandoah region.
Through SPARC, Virginia Housing’s approved lenders can offer a 1% mortgage interest rate reduction to eligible first-time homebuyers, enhancing their purchasing power and potentially saving them thousands over the life of the loan. These funds will complement the CSPDC’s existing First-Time Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified buyers at 80% AMI or below.
Additionally, the City of Harrisonburg received an allocation of SPARC funds, making it the first locality in the Central Shenandoah to offer interest rate reductions to future eligible homebuyers.
For more information about the CSPDC’s First-Time Homebuyer Programs, please contact: Philippe Bone, philippe@cspdc.org.
Share Your Vision for the Future of Transportation through the SAWMPO Long-Range Transportation Plan
How do you want to get around the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro region in 2050? The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) wants to hear from residents about their community priorities to help shape the future of the region’s transportation network.
The SAWMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, is providing several ways for residents to get involved and provide input that will guide the development of the region’s 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
The LRTP will cover all modes of transportation within the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and the urbanized portion of Augusta County. Phase One of the 2050 LRTP process is focused on the community vision for the future of transportation in the SAWMPO region. Residents are invited to:
- Fill out the online Visioning Survey between August 12 and September 30, 2024 in English or in Español.
- Register to participate in the webinar on August 28 at 12 p.m. or watch the recording on-demand.
The community priorities identified in the survey will be one element used to determine which transportation projects are considered, and to develop the evaluation criteria for the projects before they can be included in the 2050 LRTP.
Visit sawmpo.org/long-range-planning for more information and to sign up to receive email updates on the LRTP.
Goshen Town Hall Grand Opening
The Town of Goshen celebrated the grand opening of its new Town Hall on July 9. The newly renovated structure was the Town’s first school building constructed in 1870, but it later functioned as a private residence until the Town acquired it in 2022. The acquisition and renovation of the new Town Hall was funded through a $255,000 Congressionally Directed Spending allocation through Senator Warner and Senator Kaine’s Office, as well as local donations.
The Town Hall will also provide a permanent space for a food pantry operated by the Rockbridge Area Relief Association and local volunteers. The food pantry has previously operated in Goshen on a mobile basis. If funded, the Town will use a CDBG Community Improvement Grant to construct a Community Service Facility as an addition to the Town Hall starting next year.
Elkton Downtown Marketplace Grand Opening
The Town of Elkton celebrated the grand opening of its new Downtown Marketplace on August 26, marking a significant milestone in the community’s history. The project, which transforms a historic site known as “Lawn Party Hill,” revives a century-old tradition of social gatherings and activities in the heart of town. This Marketplace includes a pavilion, performance stage, and various outdoor amenities. The Marketplace’s completion is the result of nearly 30 years of planning, strong community support, and collaborative efforts between local officials.
The CSPDC provided support for the Marketplace by assisting with a $155,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation for Phase II of the Downtown Marketplace project to improve the site’s greenspace.
HRMPO Dinkel Avenue Small Area Study Completed
The Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) has successfully concluded its FY24 Dinkel Avenue-Friedens Church Road Study. Led by consultants Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), in collaboration with VDOT and local authorities, this comprehensive analysis evaluated the 3.28-mile corridor stretching from I-81 Exit 240 in Rockingham County to Main Street (Route 42) in the Town of Bridgewater. HRMPO goals for this study were to align the future projected land uses of this corridor with the transportation infrastructure by balancing multimodal needs with existing freight traffic and other demands.
VHB conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing conditions, followed by future travel demand forecasts based on anticipated land and developed proposed typical roadway cross sections. This study was completed as a companion to Rockingham County Comprehensive Plan updates that occurred during the same time period. The study identified several opportunities for future analysis, including periodic reassessments as the corridor develops, a potential traffic control device study at key intersections, and an access management study to optimize traffic flow and safety. These additional studies will help ensure the corridor’s infrastructure continues to meet the community’s evolving needs.
The CSPDC worked closely with the project team, providing transportation data and feedback throughout the process.
The finalized report can be found here: https://hrvampo.org/current-studies/dinkel-avenue-friedens-church-road-corridor-study/