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Part of this past Wednesday’s meeting for the Farmville town council involved taking a final vote on a project schedule. That means setting a timeline for when projects get done, establishing a priority for some and identifying others as more ‘long-term’ goals, due to the town’s financial situation.

“The 2025 work plan derived from the council retreat that we had,” Farmville Mayor Brian Vincent said. “It is a public document and outlines some of the goals of council for the next 12 to 48 months and even stretching beyond that. Nice to have that on the record.” 

This got approved by a unanimous vote. But as we mentioned last week, this doesn’t force the council to do anything. This is just a tentative schedule, one that can be changed as needed. So when you see a project with a specific date attached, it can and especially this year very likely will be pushed back due to the project budget shortfall. One of the projects already being discussed for a delay is the proposed development of a sidewalk plan.  

Farmville town council sets first timeline

There are several things that still need to be immediately worked on. According to Farmville Town Manager Dr. Scott Davis, the town is moving forward on recruiting a Director of Public Works. That was one of the needs listed as immediate on the list. Davis told the town council during their Wednesday, March 12 meeting that staff has interviewed one person and spoken with a headhunting firm that’s found a few other candidates that have interest. The goal is to have more conversations in the weeks to come. 

Also on the immediate list is a goal to schedule quarterly roundtable meetings with the Farmville business community, to discuss opportunities and outline any issues they may have. Previously, this list had included contacting engineering firms on the cost of developing a sidewalk plan, however as mentioned in the tax rate story, it’s possible this project could get put on hold in order to cut into the town’s budget shortfall.

The council also agreed to come up with a plan to promote the efforts to develop the Mary E. Branch Community Center. The building at 632 S. Main St. was constructed in 1926 as the Farmville Colored School. It was renamed Robert Russa Moton High School in 1931 and then became the Mary E. Branch School in 1939. As the Mary E. Branch Community Center, the property is being renovated, while working to offer programs for children, teens and adults. 

Assignments with a June 1 timeline

Looking ahead, there are also several projects slotted to be finished by June 1. Council members want to schedule a meeting in April with senior leadership at Longwood, as well as revise all current leases for tenants at the Farmville airport. That last piece is expected to be finished by May. 

Also, council asked Farmville Town Manager Dr. Scott Davis to work with his staff and see if it’s feasible by June 1 to explore designating the entire town as an Urban Development Area (UDA). That could improve Smart Scale scoring and make it easier for the town to land state funding for road projects. Smart Scale is how the Virginia Department of Transportation ranks road projects, based on a number of criteria, including need. 

During this timeframe, the council also wants to better understand how long it would take to revise the Comprehensive Plan. They’re requesting a plan, with a tentative schedule, to be presented in their hands by May 1. 

To be finished within 2025

Now what about the longer term projects? Where do they fall? By Sept. 1, Farmville town council members want restrooms to be installed at the Splash Park. Also, town staff is being asked to close the loophole in the subdivision ordinance regarding sidewalk requirements for new residential developments. That issue popped up in October, during hearings for the planned Zion subdivision on Layne Street. At that time, council members learned there is actually no Farmville ordinance saying where a sidewalk needs to be placed at a new subdivision. The ordinance also only requires one sidewalk right now, even in locations where two would be appropriate. 

Also by Sept. 1, town staff has been asked to look into the potential to extend Meriwood Farm Road to South Main Street. Council members have asked Davis to contact the owner of the property between Peery Drive and South Main Street to see if the lot is for sale and if so, what is the asking price. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will also be asked to do a traffic study on that proposed extension. 

Within the calendar year, staff is being asked to set up a joint meeting between the town council and the Prince Edward Board of Supervisors, tentatively for the fall. Council members also want to see a financing plan in place for the proposed fire station renovations, as well as the purchase of a new ladder truck in the fall.

Three years ago, the Farmville town council agreed to make a change over time, moving to a combination fire department that includes both paid positions and volunteers. In order to do that, however, you need more space. During the council’s February meeting, they heard from Greg Gilbert with Bignell Watkins Hasser Architecture and Interiors. Gilbert and his group had been hired to detail what was needed in a renovation and what kind of costs the town would be looking at. Current estimates place the renovation costs at around $11 million. 

Farmville town council projects in years to come 

The final project schedule also listed a tentative timeline for future work beyond 2025. And again, these dates are not set in stone, especially with questions looming as to what type of federal and state funding will be available. 

The town council wants to see a mobility study to look at the potential, possible location of and cost of an expanded series of trails and bikeways, all by 2028. They want to upgrade the town’s emergency operations center, to accommodate joint operations with Prince Edward County, by 2027. The council also wants to see a new Emergency Operations Plan, one coordinated with Prince Edward. That’s being penciled in for 2027, along with a study on ways to promote new housing development, especially starter homes, to try and bring young families to town.