Waynesboro council backs Port Republic Road gateway sign, asks city to negotiate maintenance with railroad

The Waynesboro City Council on July 13 affirmed a neighborhood gateway-sign project for the Port Republic Road historic African American neighborhood and authorized staff to work with Buckingham Branch Railroad on maintenance terms.

Mister Ham presented two sign renderings and said the Port Republic Road Community Historical Association prefers a larger sign at the southern entrance. Staff reported a current quote of $12,000 for the sign and said Buckingham Branch Railroad requested the city assume ongoing maintenance for the parcel where the sign would sit. Ham said staff hopes to limit the city's maintenance obligation to the immediate sign area but that the railroad asked the city to maintain the entire parcel; he said staff will pursue a narrower easement if possible.

Vice Mayor Hackombe moved the resolution and Miss Wood seconded it; council approved the action by voice vote (recorded as 4–0). Ham suggested funding the project by reallocating roughly $2,000 from the historical commission and using the remainder from the city manager’s contingency, or alternatively taking the full amount from contingency if council preferred. He said staff will seek formal bids and pursue a final easement and maintenance agreement, then return to council for approval of the easement and agreement.

The resolution directs staff to document council support for the project and to continue negotiations with the railroad and neighborhood representatives. The council did not settle final maintenance terms at the meeting; Ham said he will report back with the certified minutes, a copy of the resolution and details of the easement once negotiations proceed.