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Committee approves conceptual Boscawen Street design, forwards to Council for final action
Summary
The committee approved resolution R2026-32 to endorse a conceptual streetscape for Boscawen Street—gateway features, removable safety bollards, raised planters, loading zones and stormwater work—with construction planned to start January 4, 2027, and staff continuing to seek VDOT and other outside funding.
Perry and Kelly presented the conceptual design for improvements on Boscawen Street and the Planning & Economic Development Committee approved the resolution forwarding the concept to City Council.
Perry summarized the schedule and project steps, asking the committee to approve the concept so staff can complete design drawings in summer and advertise for bids. "We are still on schedule," Perry said, and outlined a design timeline that would let the city advertise and award a contract in time for construction to begin on January 4, 2027.
Kelly led a design walkthrough: the plan mirrors the existing Loudoun Street pedestrian mall with coordinating brick patterns, raised planters, and gateway features at Indian Alley and at the mall’s eastern end; the lanes will preserve a 16‑foot clear path for emergency vehicles. She described removable safety bollards that operate on a pinned mechanism to allow quick removal in emergencies but prevent vehicle access during normal operation.
"These bollards won't be like the ones that we have at the North and South ends of the mall... these are removable safety bollards," Kelly said, noting decorative bollards at center plazas to prevent dangerous delivery maneuvers. Kelly also described designated loading spaces, potential outdoor seating vetted with business owners, landscaped planters to discourage shortcutting from an adjacent parking lot, and drainage and sidewalk replacement work through the City Hall block.
Committee members asked about pedestrian signage in Indian Alley, loading‑zone stacking near the Irish Isles restaurants, and whether the project would preserve limestone curbing in front of Rouss. Kelly and Perry confirmed the curb would be retained and that the project includes stormwater improvements and a raised crosswalk between Cameron and Kent streets to reduce persistent ponding.
Perry said the project is included in the city’s Capital Improvement Program and staff are "working diligently with VDOT to get as much state and federal funding as we can" for construction. After discussion the committee moved to approve the conceptual design (resolution R2026‑32); the Chair called the voice vote and the motion carried.
Staff will finalize the drawings June–September, advertise for bids, and—if awarded on schedule—begin construction in January, with an expectation to substantially complete work in time for the Apple Blossom wine festival and related events.
The committee’s approval was a conceptual endorsement; final design, contract award and construction remain subject to the design completion, procurement results and external funding.
