Downtown Revitalization Plan: Envision 2.0

Joe Waltz, Front Royal Town Manager

FRONT ROYAL, VA – With great pleasure and anticipation, Town Manager, Joe Waltz, has announced that the Town of Front Royal has been awarded $700,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the Town’s Downtown Revitalization Plan: Envision 2.0. The news arrived late Friday afternoon by announcement from Governor Terry McAuliffe. Governor McAuliffe congratulated the Town and the three other grant recipients for projects that will foster economic development in the Commonwealth.

The Downtown Revitalization Plan, Envision 2.0, was approved by Town Council about a year ago. It was developed under the leadership and direction of the Project Management Team. The Project Management Team consists of a group of local citizens, local businesses, organization heads, and local officials that represent the community (Town and County). The project was organized by the Town Director of Planning & Zoning, Jeremy Camp, who oversaw the meetings and drafting process. The Town Director of Community Development and Tourism, Felicia Hart, also played a significant role in the process. In addition, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) provided technical assistance.

The plan for Envision 2.0 includes several different project activities. A list of the project activities is shown below. Most notably are the Façade Improvement Program and Branding Program. The Façade Improvement Program will assist property owners with grants to help them renovate the exterior of facades of their buildings in the downtown revitalization area. The Branding Program will include marketing strategies and signage to help attract tourists to the community.

Façade Improvement Program
Branding Program
Parking and Alley Improvements and Design
Planning & Design for Streetscape Improvements
Public Restroom and Drinking Fountain
Multi-Purpose Open Air Gathering Space / Pavilion
Artistic Mural Program
Criser Road Trail (already under construction)

The Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Todd Haymore, said that “We are able to leverage this program together with local and private resources to maximize opportunities and ensure that all communities have tools they need to flourish in the new Virginia economy.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the project may contact Jeremy Camp at (540)635-4236 or by email at jcamp@frontroyalva.com.