VALLEY CONSERVATION COUNCIL HONORS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
March 22, 2007 (Staunton, VA) – The renovated Stonewall Jackson Hotel in downtown Staunton was both the setting and an honoree as Valley Conservation Council (VCC) presented this year’s Better Models for Development Awards. The nine winners range from parks to building rehabs to corridor design. Projects are located in Broadway, Covington, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Monterey, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester.
This is the seventh year that VCC has honored projects that demonstrate the best in both economic vitality and respect for community character and the environment. The awards take their criteria from Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley, first published in 1999 by VCC and The Conservation Fund.
Better Models for Development Award Winners:
Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Staunton (Outstanding Public-Private Project)
City of Staunton, Staunton Hotel LLC, Persinger Family 
A homegrown public-private partnership has enabled the Stonewall Jackson Hotel once again to stand proudly as the cornerstone of Staunton’s downtown area. The renovation of the 80-year-old structure and construction of the adjacent conference center caps a series of projects nearby, including the connected public parking garage, streetscape projects, and the Blackfriars Playhouse. The city searched for years to find the right combination for redeveloping the hotel and found it in private developers Armada Hoffler and the continued participation of the local family that owned the hotel. The private developers, working together as Staunton Hotel LLC, rehabbed the hotel using historic tax credits and preserving its historic features. The city built the adjoining conference center. Of the $21.1 million cost, the city contributed $10.6 million and the private developers provided the remaining $10.5 million. Long underused and deteriorating, the landmark building is once again a major positive economic force.
Heritage Museum, Waynesboro (Excellence in Adaptive Reuse) South River Development Corporation / Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Built in 1908, the former First National Bank of Waynesboro has been beautifully rehabilitated to house the Heritage Museum and retail space on the first floor and six apartments in the uppper floors.Steps taken by the city in recent years played into the success of this project. Zoning laws were changed to encourage mixed use downtown residential. Nomination of the Waynesboro Downtown Historic District to the National Register enabled the use of historic tax credits. The city’s $300,000 investment in streetscape improvements near the building will continue in additional phases along Main Street to support a pleasant atmosphere downtown. The facade on this prominent building was repaired and many of the historic bank features were restored, including the 14-foot high ceilings and ornate vault doors. The project represents an admirable cooperative effort. The building was privately donated to provide a rent-free location for the Heritage Museum Foundation. The project was managed by the Waynesboro Redevelopment and Housing Authority through the South River Development Corporation. The architect was Frazier Associates and Thor, Inc, was the contractor.
The Dutch Inn, Lexington (Best Historic Preservation Project) Dutch Inn, LLC
The complex and interesting history of the Dutch Inn property dates back
to the earliest years of Lexington. Now, after years of neglect it has been gracefully restored to its 1920s appearance. This result was not at all certain. Vacant for 10 years and dilapidated, the three connected frame buildings seemed destined to be torn down for redevelopment. Instead, new owners Bruce Schweizer and Matthew Gianniny (Dutch Inn, LLC) committed to a project that would be both economically viable and retain the structure’s historical integrity. Meticulous research found an early timber frame structure in part of the inn that dendrochronology dates to between 1795 and 1807, while paint and other evidence found under the aluminum siding was used to choose the colors and materials for the façade. The restoration contributes to downtown vitality by adding 14 living units and a retail space. A parking lot in the rear reduces congestion on Washington Street.
City Exchange Building, Harrisonburg (Best Downtown Redevelopment Project) Andrew Forward and Barry Kelley, Developers
This immense four-story brick warehouse built in 1911 was renovated to include a restaurant, lofts, and office space. Originally the City (Produce) Exchange, the building served as one of the largest poultry fattening plants under one roof in the U.S. and was a clearing house for much of Virginia and West Virginia. It was sold in the 1930s to Wetsel Seed Inc., which used the building to separate, clean, and store seed. Now the high ceilings, large interior timber supports, and original windows grace 35 loft apartments, an upscale restaurant, and professional office space. Historic tax credits were critical to the financial feasibility of the project. Its success goes beyond the rebirth of a historic building. This project has brought vitality to the neglected north end of downtown and proved the viability of loft apartments in the area. Andrew Forward and Barry Kelley were the developers, while Steve and Cookie Flack own and operate the restaurant Downtown 56. Frazier Associates served as architects.
The Highland Center, Town of Monterey (Outstanding Community Initiative) The Highland Center Board
The Highland Center, built in 1922 and serving first as the county’s high school and then an elementary school, now is a business and community incubator thanks to the resourcefulness of a group of local citizens. The non-profit Highland Center purchased the then-vacant building in 1997 and has operated the building as a catalyst for cultural and economic development. The Highland Center nurtures start-up and existing businesses and non-profits by providing space, support services, technical assistance, counseling, and equipment under one roof. Currently the Center houses four businesses and five non-profit tenants. It also runs an incubator kitchen, a farmers’ market, and youth employment program. The building’s auditorium is often used for concerts, theater productions, meetings, and community events. Preservation of the neoclassical landmark has been central as well. The building earning a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and all work in its renovation plan will go through review by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
Hawthorne Street Bridge Renovation, Covington (Best Innovation in Transportation) Virginia Department of Transportation
The Hawthorne Street Bridge crossing for the CSX mainline in Covington is a vital connector of two parts of the city. Built in the late 1800s, it is one of the few remaining examples of the Phoenix type truss. Even
as improvements clearly became necessary, the city stood firm in wanting to retain its historic features. Fortunately, a way was found to renovate this historic bridge and allow it to continue to serve the community. The project was a partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Virginia Tech, Strongwell Corporation, CSX, and the City of Covington. Truss members were cleaned and repainted, abutments replaced, and new stringers and floor beams installed. Also installed was a newly designed fiber reinforced polymer (RFB) deck. This deck, researched and designed at Virginia Tech specifically for this project, is extremely light weight and has enabled the bridge weight limit to be increased from 5 tons to 20 tons. It is currently the only one of its kind in Virginia. Total project cost was $2.2 million.
Jackson River Recreation / Sport Complex, Covington (Excellent Public Amenity) City of Covington
With its purchase and development of the Jackson River Recreation / Sport Complex, the City of Covington has hit a 
home run for both economic development and quality of life. The 50-acre tract bordering the scenic Jackson River and set against beautiful mountain views, offers both active and passive recreational uses, including athletic facilities of a caliber to attract major tournaments from March to November. The park contains lighted ball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, play-grounds, restrooms, concession areas, an amphitheatre, picnic areas, and a walking trail. These amenities improve the quality of life for residents and also provide an economic boost by bringing visitors to the area for athletic events. The conceptual master plan was developed by the Virginia Tech Community Design Assistance Center and the project was carried out by the Covington Parks and Recreation Department. This project is only part of the city’s concerted effort to improve outdoor amenities. It has upgraded seven neighborhood parks and plans to provide pedestrian links between the south and north ends of the city and direct access to the Alleghany Trail that leads from the city limits to Warm Springs. The city has completed sidewalk projects to help create this walkway. In the planning phase is a trailway along the river and a pedestrian bridge that would cross the river and enable connections to three other parks and a major commercial center.
Heritage Park, Broadway (Best Community Park) Town of Broadway
The new Heritage Park in Broadway lies along Linville Creek immediately adjacent to the downtown and also connects to an existing park, a large sub-division, and an elementary school through existing sidewalks and the initial phase of a greenway. This 5-acre park protects precious green space in a strategic location and provides a cohesive pedestrian link between commercial, residential, and public places. The project was funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Amenities include the first phase of the Linville Creek Greenway, an activity field, a pedestrian foot bridge over the creek, picnic shelter, tot lot, sand volleyball court, basketball court, horse shoe pits, and informational kiosks.
Corridor Enhancement District, Winchester (Best Public Planning and Design Program) City of Winchester
Winchester’s Corridor Enhancement District will have a significant effect on the future look and function of the community. The ordinance sets standards for site features such as sidewalks, parking lots, signs, landscaping, and lighting, and also addresses the location, orientation, materials and design of buildings. The intent is to improve the appearance of the corridors leading to the historic district while improving their function through increased walkability and interconnectivity. The ordinance has been applied to four corridors so far, with more in the works. Each corridor is addressed separately and has its own standards, which are a combination of regulations and guidelines. The city has worked hard to involve the community in the development of the standards. The city website posts the ordinance, illustrated guidelines for each corridor, maps, forms, and ‘how to’ information for property owners. Several buildings have been approved under the new guidelines. Some of the most important features these buildings demonstrate are orientation to the main street with parking mostly in the rear and architectural designs that reflect area traditions in terms of roof pitch, building materials, and window design.
