Petersburg outlines downtown upgrades and readies Southside Depot for Dec. 12 ribbon-cutting

City staff presented a progress report to the Petersburg City Council on Nov. 5, 2025, describing a concentrated effort to improve downtown streetscapes, public corridors and the Southside Depot visitor center ahead of increased visitor activity.

The update, delivered by Jamie Fagan and Joanne Williams at the work session, focused on safety, appearance and ease of use downtown. "Our efforts have been a collaborative effort, utilizing the knowledge and expertise of our staff, the city manager's office, staff across multiple departments as well as, vendors that we've been able to secure," Fagan said during the presentation.

Why it matters: Council allocated funds for downtown work and staff described both short-term fixes and a longer 3–5 year streetscape plan intended to guide future private and public improvements. Officials said the work is intended to make sidewalks and parking areas safer and more inviting for residents and visitors…