Clifton council approves J2 agreement for Main Street streetscape despite cost concerns

The Clifton Town Council voted 5-1 on Feb. 6, 2024 to approve a corrected and amended J2 Engineers agreement to advance Phase II of the Main Street streetscape project.

Councilmember Steve Effros dissented, warning the town could face a budget gap because the project’s cost estimate is $2.9 million while available funding is $2.5 million and the town is responsible for 20% of eligible costs. "I estimate that the Town is now expected to pay out of its own pocket close to $900,000 or more," Effros said during the meeting.

The vote came after a Streetscape Committee update and attached cost-estimate materials that showed recent changes to utility relocation and engineering fees. Mayor Tom Peterson moved to approve the J2 agreement; the motion passed by roll call with Peterson, Vice Mayor Regan McDonald, Councilmembers Jay Davis, Mary Hess and Lynn Screen voting yes and Effros voting no.

Why it matters: the council’s approval allows the project to proceed to the right-of-way and utility coordination phases and moves the town toward construction procurement. The committee memo and cost attachments dated February 2024 list specific utility allowances and contract adjustments that changed the town’s exposure: the documents show a J2 fee increase of $12,116.01 and utility relocation line items including NOVEC at $173,000, Verizon at $318,000 (reduced from a prior $340,000 figure), Cox at $20,000, service-drop relocations for three properties at $60,000, and possible manhole and duct-bank work estimated at $120,000.

The Streetscape Committee memo also identified potential additional funding sources. It said the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) federal funding cycle could yield up to $2.5 million for the project and that, based on the committee’s discussions with VDOT staff, roughly $500,000 in additional TAP funds might still be available. The memo noted that NOVA District staff ultimately allowed the project to move forward but that NOVEC would not cover all relocation costs as it had earlier proposed; instead, NOVEC was agreeing to be responsible for some of the costs.

Council debate focused on fiscal risk and whether the scope justified the town’s potential contribution. Effros warned the current estimate did not sufficiently account for unforeseen right-of-way or construction-phase items. Supporters framed approval as necessary to preserve federal funding eligibility and move the project toward construction; the Streetscape Committee materials say the project remains squarely on VDOT's radar and that advertisement timing and contractor CEI proposals were adjusted, with one contractor revising advertisement of the project to June 30, 2025.

What’s next: with the J2 agreement approved, staff and consultants will continue right-of-way and utility coordination and prepare for the construction phase and bid advertisement timeline identified in the project materials.