The Stauntonian: Volume 1, Issue 31 | Hearings, Highways & Heroes
Staunton's downtown lane-reduction test drew heavy pushback in survey results presented to council. Waynesboro residents pack a three-hour hearing to fight Northrop Grumman's air permit.
This Week at a Glance
The verdict is in on Staunton’s month-long experiment narrowing East Beverley Street to one travel lane, and most of the roughly 1,000 people who responded didn’t like it, though opinion split sharply depending on whether people actually stopped to use the space. Waynesboro residents packed a three-hour hearing on Northrop Grumman’s air permit, and DEQ’s own regional office had already recommended against approving it as drafted. Speed cameras on I-81 near Staunton have written nearly 20,000 tickets and generated close to $2 million in two months, all of it earmarked for public schools. Staunton Police are investigating a West End shooting and a separate machete attack that sent one man to the hospital by helicopter. The Staunton Music Festival returns August 15 through 23. And two new pieces on the Stauntonian this week: the fight that saved downtown’s Victorian streetscape, and the story behind the costumed volunteer known as SWallCrawler.
Lead Stories
Staunton Tried Narrowing Beverley Street. The Survey Results Are In, and They’re Not Kind.
For one month this June, the city closed the outside travel lane on a two-block stretch of East Beverley Street between Augusta and Market streets, filling the space with benches, planters, bike racks, and artificial turf. The demonstration was funded through the Virginia Department of Health’s Virginia Walkability Action Institute, designed to preview how downtown intersections might function ahead of a separate, larger $2.2 million VDOT safety project slated for 2027 that will permanently narrow six Beverley Street intersections to install ADA-compliant curb ramps.
City staff presented the full survey results to council on July 23, and the numbers were largely unfavorable. Engagement and Communications Manager Josh Knight told council the sentiment mirrored what showed up on social media throughout June: most respondents didn’t like the demonstration, even as the process surfaced real appetite for downtown improvements generally. Of roughly 1,000 people who submitted feedback, the response split heavily along one line: whether someone actually experienced the space in person. Among the smaller group who told the city they lingered or sat down in the demonstration area, close to half supported the project. Among those who only walked through, nearly two-thirds were opposed. Among people who said they never experienced it in person at all, opposition ran even higher.
Worth noting: this was an open online survey, not a scientific poll.
Anyone could submit a response, with no mechanism described to verify identity or prevent one person from submitting multiple times under different names.
The city hasn’t presented any data suggesting that happened here, but the format means a motivated, organized response effort, on either side, could shift the numbers without showing up in the results as anything unusual.
That’s a limitation of self-selected online surveys generally, not a specific claim about this one.
Downtown business owners were a recurring source of friction. Several anonymous commenters identifying as business owners or employees described congestion from the closed turn lane and delivery complications, with one describing the change as causing more frustration than enjoyment for their storefront and its customers. Councilmember Jeff Overholtzer said much of that feedback arrived directly to council members by email rather than through the survey itself, with business owners saying they wished the city had consulted them more substantively before launching the pilot.
The Historic Staunton Foundation weighed in critically as well, arguing that the demonstration and the 2027 project both introduce roadway designs at odds with the award-winning downtown streetscape plan the city adopted between 1998 and 2004. The foundation’s preferred alternative would keep Beverley Street two lanes, add raised pedestrian crossings that double as speed reducers, lower the speed limit to 15 mph, and add illuminated walking surfaces instead of the curb extensions the 2027 project calls for. Vice Mayor Brad Arrowood said the city intends to treat the foundation as a full partner going forward and revisit the historic district streetscape plan, which hasn’t been updated in some time.
Not every comment ran negative. Among supporters, the largest group wanted the city to go further and make some version of the change permanent, while others praised the space’s family accessibility and the option to sit outside without being a paying customer somewhere. Several commenters called for closing Beverley Street to cars entirely and creating a pedestrian mall, an idea council did not take up on July 23 and that several members have previously opposed.
Councilmembers pushed back on some of the traffic-related criticism. Councilmember Blake Sheppard said his own experience driving through downtown regularly showed more pedestrians waiting at corners than cars waiting at intersections. Councilmember Adam Campbell, who also works as a transportation planner for VDOT’s Staunton District, cited an hour-long count from June 25 showing 226 pedestrians moved through the demonstration area compared to 111 cars, arguing the imbalance supports redesigning the street around the people actually using it. Both projects remain formally separate, and an update on the 2027 VDOT project is expected before council on August 27.
“They Are Not Listening”: Waynesboro Packs the House on Northrop Grumman
Hundreds of people filled the Waynesboro High School auditorium last Thursday night for a nearly three-hour public hearing on Northrop Grumman’s proposed air permit, and the mood ranged from skeptical to furious. More than 50 speakers addressed the Department of Environmental Quality directly, and many called for the agency to halt the permitting process outright rather than continue toward approval.
Northrop Grumman’s $200 million facility on Shenandoah Village Drive, tucked behind the Waynesboro Town Center, is expected to eventually employ 330 workers building radars, communications antennas and electronic warfare technology. The proposed permit would cap combined hazardous air pollutant emissions at 24.9 tons per year, just under the 25-ton threshold that would classify the plant as a major pollution source requiring stricter federal review. Speakers weren’t reassured by the number. Resident Deborah Kushner argued during the hearing that parts of Waynesboro carry an environmental justice designation from DEQ’s own records, and that city and state officials should have weighed that status more heavily before advancing the project this far.
Not every voice in the room opposed the permit. Resident Rob Clark spoke in favor, saying regulators had properly calculated and capped every emission, and pointed to the community’s history with the South River’s mercury contamination, a legacy of DuPont’s operations between 1929 and 1950 that still limits fishing in the river today, as proof residents have learned to hold industry accountable. Many other speakers weren’t willing to extend that trust to a new operator. Waynesboro resident Cody Valenzuela, a 29-year-old Amazon warehouse supervisor who lives about a mile from the facility, told WMRA he came out because he loves hiking and being outdoors and doesn’t want to watch a company put that at risk.
With the public comment window now closed, DEQ says it will compile everything submitted, respond in writing, and schedule a second public hearing before issuing a final decision. No date for that second hearing has been announced.
The Meter’s Running: I-81 Work Zone Cameras Near $2 Million in Two Months
Speed cameras installed this spring in the I-81 work zone between mile markers 221 and 225 near Staunton have generated nearly $1.9 million in fines over their first two full months of enforcement. Virginia State Police mailed out 11,114 violations in May and another 8,755 in June, though the June figure may still climb as citations continue processing. Each violation carries a flat $100 fine.
A separate count puts the two-month total closer to 20,000 citations. The Daily News-Record reported just under 19,869 violations assessed across the same window, a number State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein cautioned doesn’t translate directly into revenue, since some citations get challenged and others simply go unpaid.
By law, every dollar collected reverts to Virginia’s State Literary Fund, which supports public school construction, education technology, and teacher retirement, not local law enforcement budgets. The cameras run daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the work zone is active, part of the ongoing I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan adding a third lane in each direction through the stretch, with completion expected in 2027. Speed camera violations don’t affect a driver’s record or insurance rates, and drivers who believe they were cited in error can contest the ticket online.
The Street That Almost Wasn’t Saved
Stand at Beverley and Augusta streets and turn in a circle: nearly everything in view went up between 1870 and 1920, and nearly all of it is still standing. In 1965, the city knocked down 32 historic buildings near West Beverley Street as part of an urban renewal plan, a project the Virginia Supreme Court upheld before it collapsed anyway for failing to meet federal aid requirements. The buildings were gone regardless. When a second proposal surfaced to run an inner-city highway through more historic blocks, residents had had enough, forming the Historic Staunton Foundation in 1971. This week’s Stauntonian piece traces how that fight turned preservation into economic strategy: more than 250 buildings rehabilitated, over $60 million in private investment since 1996, and a street the American Planning Association named one of its Great Streets in America in 2013. Read the full story here.
Staunton Already Has a Superhero. Let’s Make It Official.
If you’ve spent time downtown in the last four years, you’ve probably seen him: a figure in red and blue on a rooftop on Greenville Avenue, always ready with a high-five. A Change.org petition started by resident Nancy Kalanta is asking the city to formally recognize SWallCrawler, the anonymous volunteer who’s directed traffic at street festivals, organized food and toy drives, and this summer has been delivering water to unhoused residents during the heat wave, as Staunton’s official superhero. He’s trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention, works as an EMT, and volunteers as a firefighter, all while declining money or credit for any of it. This week’s Stauntonian piece traces where the persona came from and what four years of quiet volunteering in a costume actually looks like. Read the full story here.
Quick Hits
Staunton Police investigate a West End shooting. SPD responded to the 2600 block of Blair Street on Friday, where one man was taken to Augusta Health with non-life-threatening injuries. A nearby preschool briefly went into lockdown as a precaution; police said there was no immediate danger to the facility. The investigation remains open.
A machete attack sends one man to UVA by helicopter. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office says a 911 call around 2 a.m. Friday reported a man attacked on Breezewood Drive near Staunton. Deputies applied a tourniquet at the scene before the victim was airlifted to UVA Medical Center. Griffin Spencer Howland, 29, of Staunton, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding; Sheriff Donald Smith said the two men knew each other and that the incident followed an earlier altercation. Howland is held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail, with a court date set for September 14.
Byers Street reopening stays on schedule. Crews remain on track to finish the Downtown Tunnel Repairs project’s Byers Street phase in August, with work already underway on the New Street tunnel running concurrently. The West Johnson Street phase isn’t expected until 2027.
Virginia’s tax-free weekend lands August 7-9. Families are already shopping ahead of the holiday as school supply lists grow and costs extend well past notebooks and pencils. Qualifying school supplies, clothing, and footwear are exempt from sales tax for the three-day window.
Out & About
The Staunton Music Festival returns for ten days of world-class chamber music starting August 15, Massanutten Resort marks a decade of its bike park this weekend, and the Staunton Farmers’ Market continues its West End run.
August 15-23: Staunton Music Festival Returns for Its 28th Season
More than 90 musicians from around the world descend on downtown Staunton for ten consecutive days of chamber, vocal, and symphonic music, spread across roughly 30 concerts at venues including Trinity Episcopal Church, the Blackfriars Playhouse, and Silver Line Theatre. Opening night, “Bachanalia,” pairs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 with later responses from Schumann, Villa-Lobos, and Piazzolla. The festival closes August 23 with a concert performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Many daytime programs are free; evening concerts run $16 to $45. Recipients of WIC benefits in Virginia receive free admission to all performances through the festival’s Passport Program. Full schedule and tickets at stauntonmusicfestival.org.
Saturday: Massanutten Bike Park Turns 10
Massanutten Resort celebrates the 10th anniversary of its bike park Saturday with an event called “Decades on Dirt,” featuring discounted lift tickets, bike races, and live music throughout the day.
Saturdays: Farmers’ Market at the West End
The Staunton Farmers’ Market continues its temporary 2026 location at 2020 West Beverley Street, Saturdays 7 a.m. to noon through September.
Blackfriars Playhouse
The American Shakespeare Center’s summer repertory continues with As You Like It, running through August 9, and Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, both performed in rotation at the Blackfriars Playhouse on Market Street. The Playhouse also hosts several Staunton Music Festival programs this year as part of its 25th anniversary season. Verify this week’s show times at americanshakespearecenter.com/calendar or call 1-877-682-4236.
River Watch
Live gauge readings for the South River at Waynesboro (USGS Station 01626000) are available on the USGS National Water Dashboard. With the region still under a drought warning advisory, streamflows are worth checking before any activity near the water.
The Sneeze Index
IQAir’s Staunton monitor shows an AQI of 43 — Good — with PM2.5 as the main pollutant. Conditions can shift quickly this time of year, so check before extended outdoor plans.
The Weekly Pump
Virginia’s statewide average for regular gasoline sat at $3.958 per gallon as of Wednesday, per AAA, ticking down slightly after climbing through most of July. Premium averages $4.84 and diesel $5.30. Use GasBuddy for station-by-station prices near you.
Real Estate Watch
Market data sourced from Virginia REALTORS and Redfin.
Virginia’s housing market had its busiest June in years. The statewide median sales price hit $460,000 in June, up 3.1% from a year earlier, on 11,598 closed sales, a 7.6% jump over last June. Active listings statewide climbed past 26,700, the highest June inventory since 2019, though supply remains tight. Locally, Redfin’s most recent figure puts Staunton’s median sale price at $295,823, up 3.8% year-over-year. Virginia REALTORS’ July statewide report isn’t due out until mid-August.
Specific sales data for individual Staunton neighborhoods requires a local agent with MLS access.
Who’s Hiring
Listings sourced from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and employer postings. Salaries listed only where explicitly stated.
City of Staunton — Police Officer: The Staunton Police Department is accepting applications from DCJS-certified candidates. Anticipated starting salary is $50,826, commensurate with experience, plus an additional $1,800/year for officers with an associate degree or higher. Health, dental, vision and life insurance included, with health coverage continuing after retirement. Open until filled. Apply at the City of Staunton HR portal.
City of Staunton — School Crossing Guards: The Staunton Police Department is hiring crossing guards to direct pedestrian and vehicle traffic at designated school crossings ahead of the new school year. Basic knowledge of traffic laws and the ability to react in emergency situations required. Apply at the City of Staunton HR portal.
Daikin Applied — Line Assembler, 1st & 2nd Shift (Verona): Staunton’s largest manufacturing employer is hiring production line assemblers at its Verona facility, 207 Laurel Hill Road. Starting wage is $24.80/hr, plus a $0.80/hr shift differential for 2nd shift (1:50 p.m.–9:50 p.m.). Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k with company match, and 40 hours of paid time off in year one. Apply at daikinapplied.com/careers.
Frontier Culture Museum — Visitor Center Assistant: The state-run museum on Richmond Road is hiring for its visitor center, selling tickets and passes and assisting guests. Pay is $15/hour. Apply through jobs.virginia.gov.
City of Staunton — Utility Service Clerk, Public Works: Clerical and technical work maintaining the city’s computerized utility master files. Full description and compensation at the City of Staunton HR portal.
A Note from the Editor
The Stauntonian runs entirely on the support of its readers. No advertisers pay to appear in these pages. Each issue goes out on Thursdays to all subscribers — paid and free. After Thursday, the archive moves behind a paywall for paid subscribers only.
Have a tip, a correction, or a business you’d like considered for coverage? Reach the newsroom through the forms under the Community menu at stauntonian.com: one for news tips, one for event submissions, and one for pitching your business as a story.
If you want to support the work beyond your subscription, we have a t-shirt and a mug available in the stauntonian.com shop.
The Stauntonian covers news, culture, and civic life in Staunton, Virginia. Tips, corrections, and story ideas: brad@stauntonian.com.