The Stauntonian: Volume 1, Issue 13 | Tunnels, Tax Rates, and Twelfth Night
Staunton is fixing what's underground, rethinking what you'll pay for water, and putting on a pretty good show while it's at it.
Jackhammers are echoing off the bricks of the Wharf. City Hall is about to get its biggest financial presentation of the year. And if you live near Commerce Road, there are fresh decisions being made right now that will reshape how you get around. This week’s newsletter covers the underground work that’s beginning to change Staunton’s downtown, the utility rate review that could affect your water bill for the next decade, a major new housing proposal on Middlebrook Avenue, and why more people from Baltimore — and even Pennsylvania — are finding their way to your favorite restaurants.
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Infrastructure
The Tunnels Under Downtown Are Finally Getting Fixed
Something long overdue is now well underway. Virginia Infrastructure, Inc. mobilized at the Byers Street work area on the east side of the Wharf on February 17, beginning Phase I of the Downtown Tunnel Repair Project. The first visible sign of progress arrived fast: crews have already stripped out a section of the tunnel ceiling.
“Mobilization is the first visible step in this critical infrastructure project,” said City Engineer Lyle Hartt.
The sequence of work matters here. After the tunnel roof comes down, crews shift to relocating sewer lines, then tackle wall removal and excavation for footers. The last step this summer will be the installation of precast tunnel sections. The Byers Street phase should wrap up by August, at which point the crew moves to the West Johnson Street tunnel — Phase II, targeted for completion in spring 2027. Phase III, the New Street tunnel, follows in late spring 2027.
The project carries a $4.62 million contract. It exists because of a two-cent real estate tax increase City Council approved last year — a decision Mayor Michele Edwards called difficult but necessary, noting at the time that the full scope of the repairs was still unknown when that budget was adopted. Those underground passages carry water, sewer lines, and pedestrian infrastructure that a lot of people walk over without thinking twice.
City Launching Full Review of Water, Sewer, and Trash Rates
On March 23, the City of Staunton published a Request for Proposals for a comprehensive Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste Cost of Service and Rate Study (RFP# C00426). Proposals are due by April 30, 2026.
This matters to every household and business in the city. The study’s goal is to assess whether current rates actually cover what it costs to run Staunton’s water, sewer, and solid waste systems — operations, capital improvements, maintenance, and existing debt service — and to set a five-year rate structure that funds those needs without unnecessary volatility.
To understand the scope: Staunton’s public water system draws from a combination of underground springs and reservoirs, runs through an 8-million-gallon-per-day treatment plant, and serves roughly 10,000 active connections. The city also sells treated water wholesale to Augusta County. Wastewater is handled regionally at the Middle River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, jointly owned by the city and Augusta Water and operated by Augusta Water. Solid waste goes to the Augusta Regional Landfill, co-owned by Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.
The selected firm will produce a rate model in Excel, present findings to City Council, and recommend rate structures planned for both a five- and ten-year horizon. Firms with experience doing similar work for Virginia utilities will be evaluated on methodology, project management, deliverable quality, and overall value.
The timing is deliberate. The city’s most recent National Community Survey found a 9% increase in the perceived importance of utility infrastructure paired with a 9% drop in satisfaction with its quality, a gap the city manager has publicly said is driving budget priorities. A formal rate study is the mechanism for making sure the money to close that gap actually exists.
If you want to track this process: Questions about the RFP are due by April 3 to Chief Financial Officer Jessie Moyers at moyersjl@ci.staunton.va.us. The City uses Virginia’s eVA procurement system for formal responses.
What’s Coming to Commerce Road and When
The southbound lanes of Commerce Road between Greenville Avenue and Statler Boulevard are proposed to be converted into a 10- to 14-foot shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, with northbound and southbound traffic consolidating into two 11-foot northbound lanes.
VDOT held a public hearing on February 25 at City Hall. WHSV covered the meeting. The project survey closed March 7, and VDOT’s project page now contains all current design documentation. Community input collected through the survey process will inform the design.
One note on timeline: construction bids are anticipated for late 2028. This is a long-horizon project, and residents who travel that corridor regularly, by car or on foot, have time to engage before anything changes on the ground.
Also active this week: VDOT is conducting rock and soil testing on Route 11 (Commerce Road), with northbound and southbound lane closures between Greenville Avenue and Statler Boulevard through this week.
Development
267 Homes Proposed Between Middlebrook and Shenandoah Heights
A significant housing proposal landed before the Planning Commission at its March 19 meeting. Staunton Augusta Properties, LLC is seeking a Special Use Permit for a Planned Residential Development called McIntosh Village; 267 single-family homes on 77.31 acres situated between Middlebrook Avenue, the Shenandoah Heights neighborhood, and the Green Spring Valley neighborhood.
The PRD process allows the developer to cluster homes on smaller lots with reduced setbacks. In exchange, the plan proposes common area amenities: walking trails, a patio with a fire pit, a pavilion, and a commercial-grade playground.
City staff recommended approval, but with conditions. A Home Owners Association must be established to maintain common areas and a proposed private street. A traffic impact analysis is required. A new access connection to Middlebrook Avenue must be completed during the first phase of construction.
The project is still in the approval pipeline. Anyone interested in the Planning Commission’s deliberations can track meeting minutes and future agenda items at the City’s Boards and Commissions page.
New Construction Around the City
Final inspections are being scheduled for Building 800 at Staunton Apartments II, the new 72-unit complex at 1013 Seth Drive. McDonough Toyota on Richmond Avenue is scheduling rough-in inspections for a new 4,196-square-foot service department addition. A building permit application is under review for a 3,520-square-foot Verizon retail store at 1213 Richmond Avenue. The Gypsy Hill Park pool house construction is ongoing and remains on track to open for the 2026 pool season.
One number worth noting: the city issued only 32 building permits in February 2026, compared to 100 in February 2025. That year-over-year decline reflects the end of several large project cycles rather than a collapse in activity, but it’s a figure to watch as the pipeline for new development works through the approval process.
City Budget
FY2027 Budget Presented to Council Tonight
Tonight, March 26, City Manager Leslie Beauregard and Chief Financial Officer Jessie Moyers will present the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to City Council at 7 p.m. at Rita S. Wilson Council Chambers, 116 W. Beverley Street. The full meeting agenda is available on the city’s website.
Public comment is welcome throughout the budget process. Upcoming dates include a Budget and Capital Improvement Plan work session on April 2 at 5 p.m., a joint work session with city schools on April 9 at 5 p.m. followed by a public hearing at 7 p.m., and the adoption of the FY2027 budget and capital improvement plan on April 23 at 7 p.m. Residents can contact City Council directly at CityCouncil@ci.staunton.va.us or leave input at budget@ci.staunton.va.us.
The city is also planning to demonstrate its new Capital Projects Interactive Map during tonight’s work session at 5:15 p.m., giving residents a new tool to track major projects across the city.
Public Safety
Police and Fire by the Numbers
The Staunton Police Department responded to 2,257 incidents in February — 1,279 citizen calls for service, 590 officer-initiated activities, 134 administrative calls, and 254 directed patrols. The E-911 Center handled 3,628 calls, including 1,061 calls to 9-1-1. Average emergency response time for the month was 4 minutes and 3 seconds.
Investigator Christian Davis was honored as the Staunton Police Foundation’s Officer of the Quarter at a luncheon on February 24.
Staunton Fire and Rescue responded to 313 incidents in February with an average response time of 4 minutes and 59 seconds. Staff logged over 444 hours of training and conducted 45 business fire safety inspections with 21 re-inspections. The Firefighters for Literacy program kicked off its second semester at Bessie Weller Elementary. Ladder 1 crew spoke to 350 students about firefighting careers during Career Day at McSwain Elementary. Two master firefighters, Stanley Barbour and William McGuire, earned CPR instructor certification, and Deputy Chief Adam Dolan obtained his Fire Official certification.
New pumpers (fire pumper trucks) are expected to arrive in early April.
Getting Around
I-81 Widening: Where Things Stand
The ongoing $101 million widening of I-81 between exits 221 and 225 in the Staunton area continues to generate lane shifts and closures. Northbound traffic near mile marker 224.3 is now shifted left toward the median following a traffic pattern change completed in mid-March. This shift allows contractors to proceed with phase-two widening of the northbound bridge over Lewis Creek. All three northbound lanes are expected to reopen to traffic in late fall 2026, with final project completion targeted for summer 2027.
Drivers should also expect current shoulder closures northbound and southbound at various mile markers through the spring. VDOT updates its traffic alert page weekly — the March 23-27 edition is available here.
On a separate note, VDOT has planned approximately 580 miles of resurfacing in its Staunton District this year, totaling about $75 million in paving work across the region’s 11 counties. The district also plans to install 61 miles of rumble strips for safety on primary roads. Expect flaggers and periodic lane closures at various locations throughout 2026.
Fly Local
SkyWest Is Up and Running at SHD — Here’s Why You Should Use It
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport’s new daily service to Chicago O’Hare and Charlotte Douglas through SkyWest Airlines, operating as American Eagle, launched February 3 and remains the most significant transportation upgrade in the region in years.
The numbers behind the service: SkyWest operates 12 roundtrips per week on a 65-seat CRJ-700 with first-class seating, under a four-year Essential Air Service contract running through October 2029. The U.S. Department of Transportation committed over $6 million annually to underwrite the service. From both Charlotte and Chicago, travelers can connect to hundreds of domestic and international destinations through American Airlines’ network, earning AAdvantage miles along the way.
The practical case for using SHD over driving to Dulles or Richmond: no parking fees, arrival times of 60-90 minutes before departure, and no navigating through Northern Virginia traffic. Tickets are bookable at aa.com. Airport officials have said directly that passenger volume determines whether additional frequency or routes follow — use it to keep it.
Tourism
Out-of-State Visitors Up 13 Points; Baltimore Is Coming
Tourism data for January 2026 paints an unexpectedly strong picture. According to the city’s activity report, 68% of visitors to Staunton came from out of state in January, up from 55% the same period last year, a 13-percentage-point swing in one year.
Washington DC and Hagerstown remain the top origin market by both visitor count (19%) and spending (15%). The bigger story is Baltimore: that market jumped from 2% of visitors last year to 10% this year. On the spending side, a new entrant, Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pennsylvania, appeared at 4% of visitor spend, a figure that should be watched. Visitor spending now accounts for 11% of all spending in Staunton, up from 9% the prior year, and 24% of visitor dollars went to local businesses.
Average daily visitor spend was $45 in January, slightly off from $47 the prior year. That small dip is consistent with national patterns showing modest budget pressure on leisure travelers.
The tourism coverage Staunton received in February ranged from a USA Today feature on top restaurants to an MSN piece on affordable retirement destinations that reached nearly 100 million readers. A piece on Marino’s Lunch being featured on America’s Best Restaurants ran on WHSV. Virginia’s Dairy Rite also received coverage in Family Travel Forum for its 75-year legacy.
Community
Spring Heavy Trash Collection Starts April 6
Spring heavy trash and bulky brush collection begins the week of April 6. Residents can place large items, appliances, furniture, household goods, at the curb for pickup. Standard rules for curbside collection apply. Watch for your assigned pickup week, and do not place materials out more than a week before your scheduled date.
Adopt-a-Spot Now Has Nine Partners
Trinity Episcopal Church at 214 W. Beverley Street joined the Adopt-a-Spot program in February, taking responsibility for sections of Lewis, Johnson, Church, and Beverley Streets. The program now has nine active groups, including the Augusta Bird Club, Friends of the Staunton Library, the Staunton Democratic Committee, the Shenandoah Valley Club of the Deaf, and the Staunton West End Business Association.
Groups interested in adopting a location can find information on the city’s website.
Batting Cages Are Back at Moxie Stadium
New batting cages have been installed at Moxie Stadium ahead of the Staunton Storm and Staunton Braves’ upcoming seasons. Parks and Recreation staff also installed cages at the Kiwanis Little League complex. Baseball season is close.
Entertainment & Culture
Local Author’s Animated Sci-Fi Horror Film Premieres Online Today
Staunton’s own Matthew Warner is celebrating the online world premiere of his animated film The Cryonic Pharaoh today, March 26, on YouTube.
The 41-minute sci-fi horror film follows a man who wakes from a 10,000-year deep freeze in an underground bunker, only to discover that his fellow cryonauts have been murdered — and he has no memory of doing it. As time runs out, he must confront the possibility that the bunker is haunted, that a survivor wants revenge, or both.
Warner, a prolific Staunton-based horror writer, wrote, animated, and produced the film entirely on his own, using Unreal Engine software. The film is based on his own short story, “Diary of the Cryonic Pharaoh,” which he has also made available for free download ahead of the premiere. The project has already earned an Honorable Mention at the L.A. Indie Horror Fest for its innovative approach to the genre, and drew praise from Film Threat, which called it “intriguing and enticing.”
The Cryonic Pharaoh is available to watch at YouTube:
ASC Is in the Middle of Its Best Spring in Years
The American Shakespeare Center is deep into its Spring 2026 season at the Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market Street, and this year carries extra weight: the Playhouse turns 25. The season’s theme is Disguise, Desire, and Deduction, and three productions are currently running or opening soon.
Twelfth Night or What You Will (running through May 3) is Shakespeare’s most mischievous comedy of mistaken identity — a shipwreck, a love triangle, forged letters, yellow stockings, and general chaos in Illyria. Directed by Nana Dakin in her return to the ASC after directing Eurydice in 2022.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (running through May 17) is the Olivier-nominated comedic adaptation by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, in which three actors play dozens of roles in a sprint through Conan Doyle’s most famous mystery. Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, makes his ASC debut directing it. If you’ve been on the fence about Shakespeare, this is the production to see first — it’s closer to sketch comedy than period drama.
A Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley opens April 9 and runs through May 2. A rediscovered 18th-century comedy in which sharp-tongued women flip scandal into triumph, it was explicitly written by Cowley in response to men’s plays, including Shakespeare’s own. It opens Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
The Playhouse’s Shakespeare Saturdays program runs through the spring: arrive at 10 a.m. for a guided Playhouse tour, catch Lights ON Blackfriars at 11 a.m. (a conversation with artists and scholars behind the production), then stay for a matinee or double feature. Tickets are available at americanshakespearecenter.com.
This Weekend: Frontier Culture Museum Spring Homeschool Days
The Frontier Culture Museum at 1290 Richmond Road hosts Spring Homeschool Days March 25–27, which means this is happening right now. Homeschool families can try their hand at splitting a log to make fence rails or attend a simulated early 19th-century school lesson. Pre-registration is recommended, though walk-up tickets are also available at the visitor’s center.
Mark your calendars for April 4: the museum hosts its Fourth Annual Fiber Festival, a full day of live sheep shearing, sheep herding demonstrations, and hands-on exploration of how fiber traditions — wool, hemp, linen — shaped daily life for early settlers. It’s a genuinely engaging day for families and anyone curious about the craft side of history. More details at frontiermuseum.org.
Coming in April: BaroqueFest and Jack & Davis Reid at Pro Re Nata
The Staunton Music Festival kicks off BaroqueFest 2026 on Friday, April 10 at noon at Central United Methodist Church with a free concert of music by Italian composers. No tickets required. The full BaroqueFest weekend draws internationally recognized performers, and the noon concert is one of the best free cultural events the city offers all spring. Check stauntonmusicfestival.org for the complete schedule.
On Friday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m., Jack & Davis Reid perform a full-band show at Pro Re Nata+ Staunton. The cousins, (Staunton-born grandsons of the Statler Brothers and sons of Wilson Fairchild) known for their country-pop sound, play the Staunton venue before it gets too warm for indoor shows. Tickets are available through the venue.
Paws & Peeps: Pet Easter Egg Hunt takes over the Ashby Campbell Golf Pavilion at Gypsy Hill Park on Saturday, March 28 at noon. The Well Balanced Paw hosts the event; dogs are welcome and encouraged.
Jobs
Hiring Now: City of Staunton
The city’s Human Resources department is actively recruiting for several positions, sourced directly from the February 2026 Activity Report and the city’s ongoing job portal at staunton.va.us.
Parks & Recreation is hiring 2026 Season Recreational Program Counselors and Lifeguards ahead of the summer pool season at Gypsy Hill Park. The new pool house is on track to open this season, which means these positions carry real meaning — you’d be among the first staff to work in the new facility. These are seasonal roles suited for students or anyone looking for structured summer work outdoors.
Public Works has open recruitment for Equipment Operator I and Equipment Operator II positions in both the Streets Division and the Utilities Division. The Streets roles typically require a Virginia Class B Commercial Driver’s License with relevant endorsements. The Utilities roles involve water distribution and infrastructure work — the kind of position that puts you on the front lines of the tunnel repairs and water system upgrades the city is actively funding. A Sanitation Worker position in Public Works is also still open.
A Utility Locate Technician position was recently highlighted on the city’s website. Starting pay runs $21.10 to $25.00 per hour. The role involves GPS and mapping systems to locate and mark underground infrastructure. A Virginia Class A CDL with tanker endorsement is required, or the willingness to obtain one — and the city is prepared to train the right candidate.
Bon Secours is recruiting Physician Assistants and Family Nurse Practitioners for its Urgent Care clinic in Staunton (1209 Richmond Road, formerly MedExpress), with up to a $20,000 sign-on bonus and up to $5,000 in relocation assistance for qualified candidates. Details are posted on Glassdoor.
Staunton City Schools is recruiting for anticipated 2026–27 openings in math, history/social studies, science, world languages, and elementary education, plus a Math Coach position at A.R. Ware Elementary. School roles require a valid VDOE license with appropriate endorsement. Applications are processed through the city’s online jobs portal.
The Frontier Culture Museum has an open Administrative Assistant role, supporting production and operations teams. Details on Glassdoor.
All city positions are applied for through staunton.va.us. The city is an equal opportunity employer. For residents who need help applying, the Staunton City School Board Office (2nd Floor, 116 W. Beverley St.) has a computer kiosk available 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday — call ahead at 540-332-3914 to schedule assistance.
What to Watch
A few things worth keeping tabs on in the weeks ahead:
The FY2027 budget is presented tonight at 7 p.m. and enters a public comment period through late April. This budget will set the course for city services and capital spending through June 2027 — and will likely reflect the infrastructure priorities the city manager has been signaling since the National Community Survey results came in.
The utility rate study (RFP# C00426) is now open for proposals. The study’s findings, expected by September 30, will shape water, sewer, and trash rates for years. Residents who pay attention during the Council presentation phase will have an opportunity to weigh in before any rate changes take effect.
The McIntosh Village PRD moves through the planning process following the March 19 public hearing. Residents in the Middlebrook Avenue corridor should monitor the outcome of city staff’s recommended conditions — particularly the traffic impact analysis requirement.
The Stauntonian is committed to local journalism grounded in verifiable fact. All information in this edition is sourced and verifiable. No anonymous sources and no speculation.
Questions, tips, or corrections: reach brad@stauntonian.com.