Looking Ahead at 2009
As we usher in the new year, and slightly beyond the mid-point of my first term on council, it's a good time for a reality check on some of the current and anticipated issues that we will be dealing with in 2009. The following is a list of key opportunities and challenges (as I see them) that will take center stage over the next twelve months in town affairs; they're in no particular order and are provided simply for review, edification, and comment:
1. The Aquatic Center - Getting the new Aquatic Center up and running - financially and programmatically - is perhaps the single biggest issue we will deal with this year. The majority of planning and funding for the facility took place by 2004. The anticipated completion date of April 2008 may still be ambitious, but it will most certainly come on line this year with both anticipation and sentiment resonating throughout the community. Our focus now is making sure that a firm and comprehensive business plan is in place before budget discussions for FY 2009-2010 begin in the Spring, and that every angle and opportunity is explored to ensure that it is both a successful launch and a successfully-sustained program. In the immediate future on this project, our next regular council meeting on Tue 06 Jan 09 includes a Public Hearing for the Town's Contract with Virginia Tech.
2. Route 114 Widening - A contract for Phase I of the Route 114 Widening Project is presently in the works between VDOT and Branch Highways of Roanoke. This work will begin in March 2009. As previously discussed, this first phase will take up to three construction seasons (years) to complete and will widen 0.6 miles of Route 114 from two lanes to five lanes beginning at the western corporate limits (near Dominion Drive) and ending near the Schewels Furniture store. The remainder of the widening (Phase II) that will complete the project into North Franklin Street near the NRV Mall, is effectively unfunded for construction and presently has no realistic funding stream to even guess as to when the project might be built. There is confidence that the Comprehensive Economic Stimulus Package that the new Congress and incoming President are working on will infuse somewhere between $60B and $250B into ready-to-go construction projects and we are working diligently with VDOT to see that the $12 - $15M necessary for Phase II can be programmed as part of this package.
3. New Town Website - To be launched in January 2009, and will go a long way toward open, accessible and responsive town government.
4. Huckleberry Trail Extension toward the Recreation Center - Hopefully will receive Federal Transportation Enhancement Funding in Spring 2009 and go to construction shortly thereafter. The Federal Stimulus Program may also benefit and accelerate this project to the downtown area; we are also tracking this emerging opportunity through the Planning District Commission and VDOT.
5. Recycling - The time has come to expand recycling efforts within the Town and I am hopeful, actually confident, that we will make significant progress in this area as well during 2009. It is well-documented that any townwide, curbside collection program will be a net cost to the Town, but it is hopeful that by Summer 2009 we will have a meaningful and cost-effective plan in place that will provide residence-based recycling within the town.
6. Town Code - Updating the Town Code and making it more accessible. During the development of the Town's new website, it became apparent that the accuracy and accessibility of the present Town Code needs attention. Previous budgets have included funding to accomplish this work by an outside vendor (legal and digital overhaul). The Website Committee directed the staff in October to advance this initiative as well and it is hopeful that this will be done. For the time being, the new town website will include the entire Town Code in .pdf form, and downloadable by chapters.
Of course these are only my personal opinions, but as 2009 rolls out these are a few of the highlights that I anticipate and will be providing updates on.
Brad Stipes
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Reader Comments (6)
You could save the town a ton of money by simply using the template developed by the VML (Virginia Municipal League) and modifying it to fit Christiansburg. This has been done by a lot of other jurisdictions at a more than significant savings of time and money.
Carol - As you know, VML's positions carry a lot of weight because of the expertise and experience they represent for Virginia localities. This is indeed a logical starting point. We haven't discussed this much as a council, but will be doing a lot more here very soon. Thanks for sharing this.
When is the AC set to open? I have seen the progress thus far and it appears as if an April opening date is not likely.
Unfortunately I agree that April 2009 is unlikely. Based on experience, my guess is mid-late summer (July -Sept).
So how will this effect planned events at the AC? Will they be post poned or cancelled?
Jaba - Good question. Mayor Ballengee appointed council members Wade and Vanhoozier to AC Contract Committee, and Vanhoozier is also council liason to AC Advisory Committee (which has not yet met). And so these group's efforts, as well as those of council and staff, to iron out these details will be increasingly important as we close in on April.