The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va (VR) Community members braved rainy weather on August 21 to attend the Clifton Forge Community Gathering, where town
officials and state experts shared updates on revitalization efforts, infrastructure projects, and strategies for addressing blighted properties. The
event, held at the town’s historic theater, featured presentations from Town Manager Chuck Unroe and Karen Weber, Brownfields Coordinator for the
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
The gathering provided residents with a comprehensive look at ongoing projects and future plans aimed at improving the quality of life in Clifton
Forge.
“We’re very, very excited about the progress we’ve made,” said Unroe, who opened the meeting with a “State of the Town” update. He highlighted the recent hiring of Maria Saxton as Director of Community Planning and the town’s successful application for a branding grant, both of which were identified as top priorities during a community meeting a year and a half ago. Unroe also announced the installation of two electric vehicle charging stations, one at Town Hall and another at the Loop Street parking lot.
“It is the first publicly accessible EV charging station in Alleghany Highlands,” he said, noting that the stations are already in use and are expected to draw more visitors to the downtown area.
Infrastructure improvements were another focal point. Unroe reported that the Smith Creek waterline project has been extended to October, while the West Ridgeway Street waterline project is nearly complete. Paving on West Ridgeway Street has begun, funded through a state grant, and new crosswalk marker signs have been installed to improve pedestrian safety.
The town’s efforts to address blighted properties also took center stage. Unroe detailed progress on the 600 block of Main Street, where grant funding has enabled the stabilization and sale of previously dilapidated buildings.
“We maintain the ownership of that building because it affords us the opportunity to apply for more funding through Virginia Housing,” he explained.
Employee achievements were recognized as well, with Unroe congratulating water plant staff for earning advanced certifications and Brad Balser for becoming the town’s first certified property maintenance official.
“By him attaining this certification, it gives him a lot more authority to actually enforce the codes, both on the local level and through the state building
maintenance code,” Unroe said.
Saxton, the new planning director, is spearheading several initiatives, including a housing study, a strategic plan, and the upcoming branding effort. The branding kickoff meeting is scheduled for September 9, and a strategic plan focus group will meet on September 3.
The evening’s featured speaker, Karen Weber, provided an in-depth look at the town’s participation in the “bad buildings” inventory program, which targets brownfields, asbestos, and dilapidated structures. Weber explained the importance of cataloging these sites to unlock funding and redevelopment opportunities.
“Brownfields are essentially those sites that have known or perceived impact,” Weber said. “If you know what you have, then you can start making decisions and create action.” She emphasized the need for community involvement in identifying and prioritizing sites for potential assistance.
Weber shared success stories from other communities, illustrating how brownfields funding can transform abandoned industrial sites and blighted properties into assets such as parks, farmers’ markets, and new businesses. She encouraged residents to participate in the inventory process and to think creatively about the town’s future.
During a Q&A session, residents raised concerns about the abundance of uninhabitable houses and the need for more retail and dining options. Weber acknowledged the challenges of addressing privately owned dilapidated homes, noting that current funding is limited but that data collection efforts could help advocate for new resources at the state level.
From the Brownfields perspective, Weber said, “Our goal is to help create the spaces and make sure that the spaces are ready and reusable for those small, independently owned businesses to come in and take some of the expenses out of that daunting, expensive-looking redevelopment.”
The meeting concluded with a reminder about upcoming community events, including the “Fridays in the Forge” summer finale on August 29, featuring live music, a car show, and local food vendors. Action items from the gathering include community participation in the branding effort kickoff on September 9, attending the strategic plan focus group on September 3, and providing input on prioritizing sites for potential brownfields assistance.
As Clifton Forge continues its journey of revitalization, town officials and residents alike expressed optimism about the future.
“Working together and working closely with town officials, we have accomplished positive things,” Unroe said. “That’s the way it should work.”
