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New Market staff propose hiring EPR for 14-month comprehensive-plan update at $86,521.25
Summary
Town staff recommended contracting with EPR (Engineering and Planning Resources) for a 14-month comprehensive-plan update; the firm would provide public engagement, a market analysis, a downtown strategy and VDOT screening for transportation work; council will consider approval in January.
Mrs. Medina introduced a proposed comprehensive-plan update, noting the town’s last major update was 2012 with a partial update in 2017 and that a full update would provide a 20–25 year policy framework. Staff recommended hiring EPR (Engineering and Planning Resources), a Virginia-based multidisciplinary planning and engineering firm. The proposal includes a market analysis, downtown strategy, four strategic opportunity areas (two to receive detailed mini-plans), stakeholder meetings, up to five public events, a live engagement website, and VDOT screening for the transportation chapter.
Mr. Garrison described EPR’s public‑engagement strengths and the 14‑month timeline. "EPR excels in communications with the community and sets up a website tracker and helps notify the community of what is happening," Mr. Garrison said. Staff quoted a contract total of $86,521.25 and said the proposal will go to town council for approval at its January meeting. Commissioners generally supported moving the contract forward to council and emphasized the need for broad community involvement during the drafting process.
