News
Highland County State Park Feasibility Study
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is conducting a feasibility study on the development of a state or regional park in Highland County. On January 26, CSPDC staff and stakeholders from DCR, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and Friends of Highland State Park toured the potential park site on Hayfields Farm in McDowell. Located in a valley between Bullpasture and Jack Mountain, the Hayfields property is 1,034 acres and features the Bullpasture river, scenic views, and a historic farm house, barn and log cabin. The feasibility study will determine the property’s suitability for state or regional park development and provide a recommendation to the Virginia House and Senate in October. Beginning this month, DCR will host a series of public sessions to share information regarding the project.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources
The Virginia Department of Health’s Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is responsible for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the CSPDC region. The CSHD has launched several helpful resources to ensure accurate information about vaccine distribution reaches the public. Residents can sign-up for CSHD’s weekly COVID-19 e-newsletter or obtain further up-to-date information from the COVID-19 vaccine webpage. For those who would like to ask questions over the phone, CSHD holds phone-in office hours on Monday and Wednesday at 7:00 pm. To participate, dial 1-844-992-4726 and enter access code 132 173 5589.
Telework Survey
The CSPDC in cooperation with the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, is conducting a public survey to determine the need for a Coworking Space located in the Fishersville area. This survey will ascertain the demand for a Fishersville collective workspace that would include convenient access to major highways and Interstate 64, private secured offices or shared work areas, reliable high-speed internet access, communal office amenities and free onsite parking. Responses to this survey will assist decision makers in further developing this potential Coworking Space.
SMART SCALE Applications
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shared a preliminary list of transportation projects recommended for funding through the SMART SCALE program with the Commonwealth Transportation Board last month. The CSPDC, HRMPO, SAWMPO, and our member jurisdictions were very successful this round, with 16 projects recommended for funding out of 21 applications submitted. Projects are multi-modal in scope and include park and ride lot improvements, transit stops, shared use paths, roadway safety enhancements and interstate access.
I-81 Truck Parking Task Force
CSPDC staff continues to participate in Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) I-81 Truck Parking Task Force that is working to expand public and private truck parking facilities along I-81. The Task Force, formed in August 2020, is the result of a recommendation from the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan and is comprised of representatives from VDOT, DMV, private travel center owners, economic development authorities, trucking associations, and local and regional government and planning agencies. In 2021 the Task Force will focus on identifying ways to improve existing facilities and establish potential new facility locations. Contact Zach Beard at the CSPDC to provide input or receive additional information.