City planning and public‑works staff updated Staunton City Council on Feb. 13 about two Virginia Department of Transportation projects — a redesigned Richmond Avenue roundabout and a separately funded Edgewood sidewalk — and asked for council direction on how to proceed.

Leslie Beauregard, city manager, and city staff said VDOT has re-scoped the Richmond Avenue project. VDOT now plans a single-lane roundabout and has told the city it will fully fund the roundabout component, about $7.5 million, according to staff briefings. Staff said the earlier two‑lane roundabout and a larger road diet concept were estimated at about $15.8 million and are not currently feasible under available VDOT funds.

Councilor Campbell disclosed a potential conflict of interest under state law before the presentation, noting his employment with the Virginia Department of Transportation and stating he would provide factual information only and not participate in policy or financial decisions. "Pursuant to Virginia Code section 2.2‑3112, I hereby disclose that I work for the Virginia Department of Transportation," Campbell said.

City staff identified a local cost of roughly $1.36 million to implement a partial road diet and shared‑use path that would extend to Village Drive; VDOT said it would not permit transferring money from other VDOT smart‑scale projects to cover that local funding need. The $1.36 million would need to come from local sources if council chooses to pursue the road diet.

On the adjacent Edgewood sidewalk project, originally funded at $1.1 million by VDOT smart‑scale funding, recent design estimates place the cost between $4.0 million and $4.7 million. VDOT proposed canceling two separate Augusta Street sidewalk projects and redirecting roughly $3.6 million to Edgewood, leaving a remaining local gap between about $400,000 and $1.1 million depending on final design choices. Staff told council that VDOT requested assurances by the end of the month that the project remains feasible based on property‑owner feedback.

City Finance Director Jesse (surname not specified in the record) outlined reserve options staff could draw on if council wished to fund Edgewood and the road diet now: the new sidewalk reserve, bike-and-ped reserve and greenways reserve totalled roughly $1.5 million, with the remainder potentially coming from undesignated funds. Staff said the city could pursue piecemeal work (for example, a 700‑foot segment of sidewalk priced by VDOT at about $75,000), but cautioned that splitting work reduces economies of scale.

After questions and discussion, councilors signaled unanimous support to direct the city manager to begin an outreach program to Edgewood property owners immediately. Council did not make a final decision on the road diet; staff were asked to "chew on that some more" and return with recommendations at the second council meeting in February. "We're seeming fairly unanimous on forward with the public outreach for Edgewood," Beauregard said as staff prepared to begin door‑to‑door owner contact.

Staff also said that if council declines to pursue Edgewood, the two Augusta Street sidewalk projects would be canceled and $3.6 million would be returned to VDOT for district use. Staff intends to return to council with an update at the council's second February meeting after property‑owner outreach and further analysis.