News
City of Buena Vista Holds Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Workshop
In 2021, the City of Buena Vista applied for a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) planning assistance program grant to help grow its outdoor recreation economy and revitalize its Main Street. The city was one of 25 communities across the nation to receive this technical assistance award sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
On April 4-5, 2023, the City of Buena Vista hosted a workshop, where local stakeholders came together with city officials, regional, state, and federal partners, and the RERC planning assistance team to develop action plans to strengthen their downtown and their outdoor recreation sectors. During the first session on Tuesday, April 4, roughly 70 participants attended the nighttime workshop to learn about the project and participate in community visioning exercises. During the second and third sessions, on Wednesday, April 5, roughly 45 participants attended the daytime workshop to develop strategies to boost the recreation economy and downtown revitalization, identify actions to implement those strategies, prioritize actions, and develop an action plan to implement high-priority actions.
The RERC workshop was an incredible community-driven process that will result in a concrete, implementable action plan that the City of Buena Vista will be able to use to make visible progress over the next 2-3 years.
Chessie Trail Named to USA Today Top Trails List
USA Today recently announced their 2023 list of America’s Top 10 Recreational Trails, with Lexington’s Chessie Trail snagging the #3 spot. After being nominated by a panel of experts, the trail was entered into a readers’ choice election and placed third overall. The 7-mile rail-trail was noted for its scenic location in proximity to the Maury River, and access to both canal towpaths and the former Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad bed. In 2021, regional partners including Rockbridge County, the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, VMI, and Friends of the Chessie Trail concluded a multi-year effort to replace a railroad bridge that was damaged after Hurricane Isabel in 2003. This reconstruction effort closed a key gap in the 7-mile trail and allowed visitors to walk the trail without making a detour. This addition enhanced an already well-loved regional trail and allowed more visitors to enjoy its natural beauty and wildlife.
Public Comment Period on 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan Opens Soon
Using data on where deficiencies in the transportation system exist today, where residential growth and development in the regional will occur tomorrow, as well as community feedback on the vision for the region’s transportation system, the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) has developed its draft 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Input from a record number of community members over the past year has shaped the draft 2045 LRTP, which includes 55 transportation projects across the region.
The public comment period for the draft 2045 LRTP opens on April 20, 2023. HRMPO will be accepting comments and feedback until May 18, 2023. Once the comment period opens you can review the draft plan online and submit feedback directly in a digital version of the document.
Physical copies of the draft 2045 LRTP will be available for review at the Harrisonburg City Hall, the Rockingham County Administration Center, Town of Dayton City Hall, Mt. Crawford Town Municipal Building, Bridgewater Community Center, and the Massanutten Regional Library.
HRMPO, which is staffed by CSPDC, is also offering virtual and in-person opportunities to review the draft LRTP, ask questions, and share feedback.
Save the date and make plans to attend one of the following events:
Webinar on April 25, 2023
HRMPO is offering two webinar sessions. The webinar recording will be made available on the HRMPO website after the sessions.
Public Meeting on May 4, 2023
Mark your calendar for HRMPO’s public meeting on May 4, 2023 in the Community Room at the Rockingham County Administration Center. Drop by any time between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Visit hrvampo.org/lrtp for more information and to sign up to receive email updates on the LRTP.
Public Feedback on BRCC Shuttle Schedule Change Requested
Starting in June the hours on the BRCC Shuttle North and South routes will be reduced in the evening. Historically, the route served Blue Ridge Community College students commuting to the campus in Weyers Cave for classes. With greater opportunities for virtual learning and the shift toward more online courses, traffic to campus in the late evening has reduced significantly. The existing schedule currently operates until 10:30 pm (South) and 11:00 pm (North) Monday through Thursday, and until 7:30 pm (South) and 8:00 pm (North) on Friday.
To better align service with demand, the routes will now end at 5:30 pm (South), and 6:00 pm (North). The new hours will be the same Monday through Friday. This change will go into effect on Monday, June 5, 2023, and will be a permanent change.
We recognize that any change to a transit schedule may have an impact on existing riders and the general public. The CSPDC and BRITE Bus offer opportunities for the public to provide feedback on these changes. There are multiple options for providing feedback.
In-Person
CSPDC & BRITE Bus staff will be hosting pop-up events throughout the month of April to talk with riders about the upcoming changes. If you’d like to provide feedback in person, you can speak with staff at the following dates and times:
BRCC Houff Student Center – April 19th from 9:00 – 11:00 am, and April 20th from 12:00 – 2:00 pm
JMU Godwin Transit Center – April 25th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Staunton Lewis Street Hub – April 27th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Online
An online survey will be available through May 19th. The survey will ask a few questions to help us understand how riders use the BRCC routes, and provides an open-ended comment box for any feedback you’d like to share. The survey link is available on the BRITE Bus website.
In Writing
You can provide feedback in writing. Please email your comments to Devon Thompson, Transit Planner (devon@cspdc.org) or by mail to:
CSPDC – Devon Thompson
112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401
The public comment period is open until May 19th.
VDOT Six-Year Improvement Program Open House Set
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is conducting a spring meeting to allow the public to comment on transportation projects recommended for funding in the Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). The Staunton District’s in-person meeting will be on Wednesday, May 3rd from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge Community College’s Plecker Center for Continuing Education. Individuals are encouraged to submit comments online until May 24, 2023.
The CTB will consider comments as it develops the FY2024-2029 SYIP. The program allocates public funds to highway, road, bridge, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation projects. All federally eligible projects in the SYIP will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to document how Virginia will obligate its federal funds.