Beginning September 23, riders affiliated with the University of Virginia (UVA) will be able to ride the Afton Express fare-free. This benefit is provided by UVA Parking and Transportation’s new program WHAOO COMMUTE! Riders with UVA identification will simply show the driver their ID when boarding and will not need to pay a fare.
UVA has been a funding partner and proud supporter of the Afton Express since its launch in 2021. In 2020, UVA released their 2030 Sustainability Plan, which outlines the University’s goals to be carbon neutral by 2030, and fossil fuel free by 2050. Working toward those goals, Parking and Transportation is actively looking for ways to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on and around Grounds. The Afton Express plays a key role in these efforts by providing employees and students with an alternative mode of commuting to work and school.
In June 2024, Kendall Howell, Assistant Director for Parking and Transportation, presented at a Policy Board meeting of the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) on the value of the Afton Express from the UVA perspective. In this presentation, Mr. Howell shared that over 1,300 UVA employees live in the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, and the urbanized portion of Augusta County. That number is even greater when including the rural portions of Augusta County and the counties immediately to the north and south. “The Afton Express provides the model to which all other regional [transportation] providers can aspire for their partnership with UVA” remarked Mr. Howell.
The WAHOO Commute! Program provides benefits to UVA affiliates to encourage individuals to choose climate-friendly commute modes like biking, walking, carpooling, or riding public transit. You can learn more about the program by visiting UVA Parking and Transportation’s website at the following link: https://parking.virginia.edu/wahoocommute
In July 2024, the CSPDC secured its second allocation of funding from Virginia Housing’s Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program. With over $3 million in SPARC funds now available for eligible first-time homebuyers, the CSPDC can help more individuals achieve homeownership in the Central Shenandoah region.
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission has selected Ann Cundy to serve as the new Executive Director of the CSPDC. Ann has served the CSPDC for over 11 years, most recently as the Director of Transportation where she managed the agency’s transportation and transit programs. Her new position took effect April 1. She follows Bonnie Riedesel who retired after working at the CSPDC for 29 years and serving as its Executive Director since 2008.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) opened their FY 2025 Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) grant application timeframe on April 1, 2024. The IRF program aims to transform vacant, non-residential buildings from a physically and economically blighted state to structures that drive commercial success, community revitalization, and job creation. Qualifying facilities include ones previously used for manufacturing, logistics, power production, and mining. Additionally, large-scale buildings like shopping centers, schools, mixed-use (as long as 30% of the project is commercial), department stores, hotels, and theaters are eligible properties. Local governments, including economic/industrial development authorities, are eligible to submit applications for the IRF program.
The CSPDC’s PDC Housing Development Grant is nearing its three-year mark in June 2024, and the seven partners that were awarded a total of $1.66 million in gap funding for their affordable housing developments have made significant progress over the past year. Given delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the deadline to complete all projects has been moved to June 2025. Upon completion, the grant will result in the development of 58 new units of affordable housing in the Central Shenandoah region.