The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – The Covington City Council advanced sidewalk improvements, reaffirmed a regional housing partnership, and heard updates on water, infrastructure, and snow removal during a wide-ranging February meeting marked by both routine business and lingering winter weather challenges.
The meeting opened with roll call and an invocation by the Rev. Milton Hardy, who prayed for wisdom, unity, and strength for city leaders, asking that their decisions “uplift, unify and strengthen the city” and bring “benefit to the people”. Council and attendees then recited the Pledge of Allegiance before moving quickly through approving the night’s agenda, which passed on a voice vote without changes.
Next up, the council veered directly into consideration of three resolutions involving sidewalks, economic development funds, and a land bank partnership. First up is Resolution R2604 B, a measure tied to a Virginia Department of Transportation grant for new sidewalks along Route 220, from Pine Street to Beech Street. The project totals $332,748, including a $266,199 VDOT grant and a required 20% city match of $66,549.
A motion to approve the resolution passed on a vote with no opposition, clearing the way for the city to move forward on the long-discussed pedestrian safety and connectivity improvement. Council then adopted Resolution R2605, reappropriating $43,740.34 in fiscal 2025 funds for contingency and downtown economic development projects. Members offered no additional discussion before voting to approve the measure, which reallocates existing money to support downtown revitalization efforts.
The most substantive debate of the evening centered on Resolution R2606, which would have rescinded the city’s participation in a regional land bank arrangement with Total Action for Progress, or TAP. Ahead of the vote, the council heard from Angela Penn, speaking on behalf of TAP. She urged the city to keep TAP as Covington’s land bank partner, emphasizing the organization’s track record in returning vacant and blighted properties to productive use in Roanoke through partnerships with groups such as Habitat for Humanity and Restoration Housing. Penn said TAP has helped transfer 20 properties into affordable homeownership for families earning at or below 80% of the area median income, arguing that similar work in Covington could “stabilize neighborhoods, strengthen families and return properties to the tax rolls”. She outlined TAP’s experience in renovation and affordable rentals, citing a 2007 rehabilitation project on Keswick Street in Clifton Forge that brought long vacant homes back into use. City staff supported continuing the partnership. Eric Tyree described TAP’s land bank as a “near no cost solution” for addressing long-term vacant and deteriorated properties, particularly tax delinquent parcels that drag down otherwise stable neighborhoods.
He said the city would retain control over which lots move into the land bank, focusing first on tax delinquent properties that are either blighted or represent prime “infill” opportunities, such as a previously demolished house site on Pine Street across from Pine Street Church. Council members questioned how properties would be selected, whether there was a cap on the number transferred, and how residents interested in building new homes could gain access to lots. Staff explained that, under state law, the city generally acquires properties only after at least two years of tax delinquency, via proceedings managed by the treasurer. Those properties could then be moved into the land bank, where TAP would work to pair them with funding and prospective homeowners. After the discussion, council members expressed support for staying in the program. Rather than rescind the partnership, they effectively reaffirmed TAP’s status as the city’s land bank partner, with the understanding that staff will begin identifying target properties and neighborhoods for future projects.
In his report, City Manager Allen Dressler briefed the council on an incident earlier that day involving a school bus and another vehicle inside the city limits. He praised the quick response from Police Chief Chris Smith, EMS crews, and volunteers, and said all children involved were ultimately “fine”. Dressler then outlined the continued strain on the city’s aging water system as winter conditions and drought converge. While the Pocahontas water tank was full at the time of the meeting, the city had recently shifted from 24-hour to 16-hour operations at the water treatment plant and was managing a series of water line breaks, especially in the High Acres area. He explained that freeze-thaw cycles in the ground are causing old pipes to crack and praised public works crews for working through frigid conditions to keep up with repairs. He added that the Department of Environmental Quality has placed Lake Moomaw, “Covington’s water source,” under a drought watch for the upper James River basin, underscoring the need for careful water management. The wastewater treatment plant is also feeling the impact of melting snow, which infiltrates the system and must be treated, manager Dressler said.
On the positive side, he reported that Covington is poised to receive additional state road funding for repairs to Carpenter Drive, Monroe Avenue, and Riverside, saying recent correspondence with the Virginia Department of Transportation was “very positive”. He also said the city expects to secure more than $200,000 in “Baby Access” funds for paving at the Jackson River Sports Complex. The work would improve access to the minigolf area, playground, trail, river access, golf driving range, and soccer facilities, though parking lots themselves would likely require separate funding.
Dressler highlighted progress on several ongoing projects, such as engineering and architectural work on the Rooklin building redevelopment, grant-seeking efforts with the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has signaled interest in investing in Covington, and major upgrades at Casey Field and the Boodie Albert Stadium, including new locker rooms and restrooms designed to better accommodate home and visiting teams. He said he was “tickled to death” at how much sidewalk construction has advanced along Alleghany Avenue despite winter weather, noting recent concrete pours on an unseasonably warm February day and preparations to begin a South Covington sidewalk project using a local contractor. Council members used the report period to raise neighborhood issues, including the recent water break and open trench along Alleghany Avenue, which staff said would be fully restored after a new fire hydrant is installed.
Questions also surfaced about responsibility for clearing snow from sidewalks. The manager said city code places the obligation on adjacent property owners; however, in the most recent severe storm, the city stepped in along key pedestrian corridors, including major routes to churches, grocery stores, and downtown shops, to restore safe access when privately cleared snow and ice overwhelmed local capacity.
Council members praised city crews for their work, with one member noting that sidewalks in front of businesses and at shopping centers such as Food Lion had been substantially cleared, allowing residents, including older adults and people with mobility challenges, to get out safely. Traffic safety concerns at several busy intersections also drew discussion. Councilwoman Susan Wolfe asked the administration to explore additional signage, including “no turn on red” restrictions at a signal near Monroe and Alleghany and at Carlton Drive and Madison Avenue, where limited sight distances and heavy truck traffic have raised concerns. Manager Dressler and police chief Smith agreed to review options with engineers.
Before adjournment, one council member, Susan Crowder, offered an emotional thanks to colleagues, staff, and the residents of Covington for the outpouring of support following a recent personal loss, citing cards, flowers, meals, and messages from across the Alleghany Highlands. With no further business, the council voted to adjourn, closing a meeting that blended detailed policy work on housing and infrastructure with the pressing realities of winter weather and an aging utility system.
