Council adds Augusta Street sidewalk to CIP and confirms Uniontown water/sewer work will proceed despite BUILD grant denial

Staunton City Council on Aug. 14 approved an amendment to the city’s five‑year capital improvement plan (FY2026–2030) to add a project for pedestrian improvements on North Augusta Street and received updates on two other capital priorities: Uniontown infrastructure and park restroom projects.

City staff told council they added project CD2901 to the CIP, which covers design and construction of new sidewalks and pedestrian access improvements along North Augusta Street from Lambert Street to Harper Court and pedestrian upgrades at Augusta Street and Terry Street. The packet listed a design estimate of about $850,000 in FY2029 and a construction estimate of roughly $3.4 million in FY2030; staff cautioned those numbers were pre‑application estimates and VDOT review and final revenue‑sharing application could change costs.

Miss Jennifer Moyers, the city’s capital‑projects staffer, said the city intends to apply for VDOT revenue‑sharing funds to cover 50 percent of the project cost; the local match would come from capital reserves, primarily the new sidewalk reserve. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 17 and recommended approval of the revised CIP, Moyers said.

Council also heard that the city was not selected this year for a federal BUILD grant that would have funded multiple Uniontown improvements — roadway reconstruction, a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, shared use paths, and comprehensive water and sewer replacement. Staff told council that, despite the BUILD denial, the city will move forward with water and sewer infrastructure work already in the CIP using water and sewer fund balances; Timmons was expected to be under contract to prepare a preliminary engineering report and then complete full design. Staff cautioned that earlier estimate work suggests the sewer fund may be insufficient to cover the full cost and that a final construction estimate will be available after design.

Finally, staff said they plan to combine three park restroom/pump‑house projects (Montgomery Hall Park pool house, Gypsy Hill Park pump house and Montgomery Hall pool house) into a single bid package this fiscal year but must update plans to current building code and continue evaluating the feasibility of a restroom near the dog‑park/skate‑park area because of flood‑plain constraints.

Council adopted the CIP amendment by roll call during the meeting; staff said they will return with final revenue‑share application materials and more precise cost estimates before the submission deadline.