Harrisonburg City Council took significant steps towards enhancing community engagement and addressing historical injustices during their meeting on January 28, 2025. The council unanimously approved amendments to the city code regarding personal property and real estate tax relief, a move aimed at providing financial support to residents in need.

In a pivotal presentation, Deputy City Manager Amy Snyder provided an update on the Community Connectors program, which Harrisonburg was selected to join in September 2023. Funded by a $130,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through Smart Growth America, this initiative seeks to heal the community from the impacts of urban renewal, particularly in the Northeast neighborhood.

Snyder outlined the program's mission to rebuild trust between residents and the city, address past harms, and reconnect the Northeast neighborhood to the heart of Harrisonburg. The program includes four key components: creating a community-generated small area plan, facilitating dialogues to understand historical harms, conducting historical research, and implementing a community-led demonstration project on Mason Street.

The council emphasized the importance of community input, with a survey currently available to gather residents' visions for the neighborhood. Upcoming meetings on February 15 and March 13 will provide opportunities for hands-on participation in shaping the future of the area, particularly regarding potential changes to Mason Street.

Snyder highlighted the community's desire to celebrate the neighborhood's identity, enhance public spaces, and promote economic opportunities. The historical research team, tasked with documenting the impacts of urban renewal, will play a crucial role in ensuring that the stories of those affected are not forgotten.

This meeting marks a significant commitment by the Harrisonburg City Council to address historical grievances and foster a more inclusive and engaged community moving forward.