Planning commission approves Capital Improvements Plan recommendations for FY 2026

The Winchester City Planning Commission on March 18 voted to approve and recommend the City's Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for fiscal year 2026.

City staff summarized the five-year funding projection and highlighted projects slated for the coming fiscal year, including a planned roof replacement at the Creamery Building, Green Circle Trail Phase 4, Millwood Avenue improvements coordinated with VDOT's Route 50 bridge replacement over I-81, Preston Field restroom and press box design-build, and $2,000,000 set aside for street paving.

City planning staff said the CIP packet outlines projects and funding needs over the next five years and that funds carried forward for specific projects remain designated for those projects. "This is kind of a funding projection for a number of city projects that have been on the books," a staff presenter said, describing the packet as a multi-year plan for capital funding. Staff noted Green Circle Trail Phase 4 is slated to go to construction before the end of 2025 and that Millwood Avenue improvements are expected to begin in early 2026 under VDOT management.

The staff presentation covered stormwater projects — including North Cameron drainage funding (approximately $8,000,000) and Abrams Creek drainage work timed before VDOT's Route 50 project — and utilities work such as replacement of the Jefferson Street pump station, transmission main upsizing, sanitary sewer lining, and planning and design for a raw water storage reservoir at the water treatment plant. The staff presentation also noted a $3,000,000 line item for intake dam improvements and ongoing wastewater-plant work on Route 7.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about project locations and timing, the scope of sidewalk work (citywide priorities informed by the sidewalk master plan) and whether school contributions applied to Preston Field; staff responded that the Preston Field restroom/press box was not funded by Shenandoah University. A council member present explained that the $15,000,000 entries in later fiscal years relate to initial funding allocated for engineering and design for Corals school, and that the school board's current expansion estimates are in the $40 million–$50 million range.

After the discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the CIP recommendation; the commission voted in the affirmative by voice and the chair declared the motion carried. The commission also noted a public outreach opportunity: an MPO open house on planned boulevard-area traffic improvements scheduled for the next evening at The Hive, hosted by the Frederick-Winchester Metropolitan Planning Organization in coordination with Shenandoah University and the city.

Staff said the city maintains a capital improvements project website with quarterly updates on project status, estimated timelines and costs. The planning commission's approval forwards the CIP recommendation to the City Council for consideration in the budget process.