Cardinal News: Then & Now takes a look back at the stories we brought you over the last 12 months. Through the end of the year, we’re sharing updates on some of the people and issues that made news in 2024. This installment: the town of Stuart’s plans for a $990,000 revitalization grant.
“Slow and steady” is how Stuart Town Manager Bryce Simmons describes ongoing efforts to revitalize key parts of the town a year after securing a grant of almost $1 million.
Earlier this year, the Patrick County town was one of several localities throughout Virginia that received funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. A pool of $18 million was distributed among 16 projects throughout the state. Projects were chosen based on their potential impact on rural and low-income residents. They included revitalizing downtown and the farmers market, along with new signage and construction of a parking deck.
While still among the town’s priorities, the projects are in the early stages.
“It’s just sort of a slow process,” Simmons said about the revitalization efforts. Factors including determining and mitigating possible environmental impacts are among the bottlenecks, he said.
Stuart, which has a population of 1,430 and an annual operating budget of around $2 million, received a funding package of $990,000. The town earmarked the funds for four projects: downtown facade revitalization, wayfinding signage, farmers market improvements and a parking megadeck.
The megadeck, when completed, would stand at 3,200 square feet and connect South Main Street to Patrick Avenue, while improving emergency access to the rear of some of the buildings and creating a community space, Simmons said.
Wayfinding signage would point visitors to points of interest throughout the town such as the Mayo River Trail.
Facade updates are likely to come in the form of building repainting as well addressing some structural issues.
Improvements to the farmers market could include construction of a stage for market patrons, many of whom come from out of town.
The emphasis on revitalization, according to Simmons, is what convinced town officials to pursue funding. He said it was largely in response to the town losing a handful of businesses.
“Three years ago, when we started looking at the process of revitalizing our downtown, we needed more businesses,” Simmons said. “There was a pizza restaurant … in the process of being sold. …There was just a need for Stuart businesses in our downtown.”
Simmons said, as they get closer to being shovel-ready, the next step is firming up the details of each of the projects.
“The next stage is really hunkering down and nailing down what those specific improvements are going to look like,” Simmons said, adding that they are working with consultants for more concrete plans.
Although there is no official timeline, Simmons said completion of all four projects could be years from now.
“I would love to say that it would be done by the end of the next year,” Simmons said, adding that the beginning of 2026 is far more likely.
