Williamsburg planning staff outlines FY26–30 CIP priorities, flags funding and timing risks

City planning staff presented a draft capital improvement program (CIP) that will form the basis of the FY 2026–2030 capital budget and asked the Planning Commission for comment during a work session.

The memo summarized last year’s activity, ongoing projects and key priorities. Andrew Trivette, the city staff member leading the presentation, said the FY 2025 adopted CIP included about $27 million in projects and that unspent allocations typically roll forward into the CIP fund balance.

Trivette told commissioners the Capital Landing and Bypass Road intersection project and the Capital Landing Road corridor improvements are moving together and are awaiting federal approvals: “Right now, we’re waiting on federal approvals or we would already be well underway,” he said. He also said staff is pursuing a design modification to add a spur from the new intersection directly to the visitor center, which “was always part of the plan.”

On a separate, fully funded Smart Scale project, Trivette described the Monticello Avenue–Richmond Road–Lafayette Street roundabout as likely to face cost escalation between award and construction. He said that is a statewide concern because Smart Scale awards are made long before projects are built and localities routinely see budget gaps by the time VDOT schedules construction.

Trivette identified the Public Works Infrastructure Master Plan as a near-term priority because it will evaluate utilities, sequencing and expected costs. “Our utility rate is the lowest in the region by a generous margin,” he said. “In order to accomplish some of these generational improvements…we’re probably going to have to raise the rate.” He said the consultant’s work on system condition and cost will drive public discussion during the next budget cycle.

Other projects flagged in the draft CIP included underground wiring and corridor enhancements, municipal building renovations (with roughly $1.8 million available for that line after larger police department borrowing), bus stop upgrades for more than 70 stops across the city, and several park and recreation items tied to the Quarter Path Park facility review.

Trivette closed by noting the version presented to the Planning Commission is an unfiltered departmental wish list and that the manager and council will pare and prioritize items before budget adoption in May.

The Planning Commission did not take a vote on the CIP at the work session; commissioners asked questions and offered edits for a letter to the city manager.