Leesburg planning commission reviews proposed 2026–2031 Capital Improvements Plan

Assistant Director of Capital Projects Doug Wagner presented the town’s proposed 2026–2031 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) during a Planning Commission work session, saying the document currently lists 92 projects and that “54% of the capital improvements plan is streets and highways” while utilities and government facilities make up the next largest shares. Wagner defined the CIP for the commission as “any construction, renovation or demolition or acquisition of assets property more than $60,000 with a useful life of more than 5 years.”

Wagner told the commission the draft adds 13 new projects, including townwide electric vehicle charging, Town Hall roof replacement, outdoor tennis court and fence rehabilitation at Idly, Battlefield Parkway safety improvements, a Lee Avenue sidewalk missing link near White Oak subdivision, Liberty Lot resurfacing/access/safety improvements, apron paving at the airport, a townwide bridge maintenance program and multiple drainage projects intended to advance the town’s 2028 TMDL goals. For utilities, he listed a chloramine disinfection feed control system and refurbishment of secondary clarifiers A and B among proposed items.

Why it matters: the CIP directs multi-year capital spending and sets priorities for engineering, right-of-way, design and grant timing that will feed the 2026 budget process. Wagner said the town ran the draft through long-term sustainability models and financial-advisor-reviewed debt and reserve ratios to test affordability. He also flagged scheduling pressures tied to staffing, grant timing (VDOT, NVTA, SmartScale), and material lead times such as signal poles and asphalt.

Commission discussion focused on funding certainty and project sequencing. Commissioner Ron (last name not provided) asked whether projects on the list have committed funding or could be cut during the budget process; Wagner replied that projects in land acquisition or construction generally have full funding and cannot proceed without it, while projects in design (for example some interchanges) are often partially funded and adjusted as grants are secured. Wagner said the town routinely applies for grants and adjusts schedules as funding becomes clearer.

Commissioners pressed on specific items. On Liberty Lot resurfacing and access improvements, Wagner said the project begins with a study and will be scheduled to avoid wasting funds if a private redevelopment proceeds; Council Member Steinberg, who attended the meeting, told the commission that remediation of the site and construction of structured parking would be expensive and that a performing-arts center concept is “permanently on hold.” Steinberg said initial estimates for remediation plus a standalone parking facility “probably approached $30,000,000,” and that town council nevertheless supported resurfacing and safety improvements to keep the lot usable and ADA-compliant in the near term.

On the airport, Wagner said staff has completed final interviews for a design contract on a new brick-and-mortar control tower and that the town’s target to design and build a new tower is about five years; he cautioned that all airport work must follow federal environmental and technical reviews. On parks, Wagner said the parks-and-recreation program includes playground upgrades and facility rehabilitation, and that pickleball facilities remain an active priority.

Schedule and next steps: Wagner asked the commission to review the CIP for consistency with Legacy Leesburg and the town plan and to be prepared to vote at the Planning Commission public meeting on Feb. 6 if possible. He described a town manager presentation to council on Feb. 11, a town council public hearing on March 11, and an anticipated adoption concurrent with the 2026 budget process on March 25, subject to adjustments as grants and staffing affect schedules.

Commissioners identified several topics they want formally forwarded as commission recommendations to council: remove Catoctin Circle from the futures list, add benches and trash receptacles downtown (starting on South King and North King streets), include a practice of considering undergrounding utilities when projects open the ground, and continue to press for land planning and structured parking study funding carried over from the prior year. Staff said it will produce a draft list of commission recommendations and a public meeting on Feb. 6 where the CIP will be discussed publicly.