Welcome back to Lynchburg Field Notes, a column that arrives in your inbox on Wednesdays with quick news updates from the past week and previews of what’s coming up next in the Hill City and surrounding communities.
A project designed to overhaul the intersection of U.S. 501 and U.S. 221 just received $24.5 million in federal funding. Learn more about the construction plans in today’s edition, plus catch up on news from the swearing-in ceremony for the city’s new fire chief, from the grand opening of a new homeless shelter and from the virtual release of a dashboard that displays the city’s redevelopment progress.
I’m looking forward to meeting you on July 13 at a meet and greet at The Flour District. This week marks my one-year anniversary of joining Cardinal News, and I can’t wait to celebrate that milestone with you — with coffee, cookies and conversations about what local reporting you’d like to see from Cardinal as Lynchburg approaches election season. RSVP here, or email me at emma@cardinalnews.org if you can’t make it but still want to connect.
$24.5 million in federal funding granted to Lynchburg transportation project
A transportation project set to improve a busy Lynchburg intersection will receive $24.5 million in federal funding, according to a Monday news release.
The project aims to overhaul the U.S. 501 and U.S. 221 intersection by dividing U.S. 501, currently congested with two-way traffic, into a split pair of northbound and southbound roads at its intersection with U.S. 221. The plans also call for a new flyover bridge, stormwater improvements, roadway lighting, sidewalks with pedestrian crossing signals, and more to ease congestion and improve safety and accessibility, according to the news release.
About 65,000 vehicles pass through the intersection every day, making it the busiest intersection in the city. The project has a more than $90 million price tag, covered by the city, state grants and now federal support, too.
The federal funding comes from the Department of Transportation’s BUILD grant program, which stands for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development. Virginia received $76 million in BUILD funds this year, allocated to four transportation infrastructure projects including Lynchburg’s.
Crews are set to break ground on Lynchburg’s project in spring 2029. The preliminary design phase is underway, according to the project webpage.
Lynchburg’s new fire chief talks of ‘meaningful change’
Brad Creasy was sworn in as Lynchburg’s new fire chief last week, ending a period of about eight months of interim leadership in the role.
Creasy brings more than 30 years of fire and emergency services experience to the Hill City, most recently serving as executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. There, he led statewide initiatives focused on firefighter training, wellness, professional development, and strategic planning and modernization in the fire service.
“But leadership is about far more than accomplishments on a resume,” Wynter Benda, the city manager, said to Creasy at his swearing-in ceremony on July 1. “Throughout this process, what stood out most was your character. You lead with integrity, humility and professionalism. You understand that trust is earned through listening, transparency and steady leadership.”
The city partnered with the consulting firm Raftelis to run a national recruitment and selection process for the new chief. Creasy rose to the top of the list of 31 applicants from 16 states.
Raftelis also conducted an assessment of the fire department’s climate and culture. The final report, released last month, outlines 14 recommendations to correct areas of concern in the department, including overhauling recruitment and hiring processes, integrating EMS as the primary function of the department, reforming personnel and communication policies, and creating human resources infrastructure to sustain such improvements over time.
“Together, we will create an environment where people feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute to our shared mission,” Creasy said during his remarks to a packed Miller Center auditorium after he was sworn in. “Culture does not change overnight, but meaningful change begins with relationships, accountability and a commitment to excellence.”
He said in an interview that his priorities in his first months on the job include building trust throughout the department and searching to fill two deputy chief roles that are currently held by interim leaders. Long-term, he said his goal is to build on the department’s already “strong foundation” to “continue the journey toward becoming a truly world-class fire department” that’s recognized for innovation, operational excellence and service to the community.
Creasy arrives after former fire chief Greg Wormser was placed on paid administrative leave and then suddenly retired in November.
New homeless shelter opens in Lynchburg
A new low-barrier homeless shelter, called The Refuge on Memorial, celebrated its grand opening last week at the former Ramp Church International property.
The 24-hour facility offers a daytime drop-in shelter and emergency overnight shelter for men, women and families. The facility is set to have 50 beds at capacity, according to The Refuge’s website.
“Entry will not be refused based on barriers such as sobriety, income verification, or program participation,” according to the shelter’s website. Guests must follow shelter policies, which prohibit possession of drugs, alcohol, and weapons and ask guests to “obey the law and behave nonthreateningly.”
The Refuge joins Miriam’s House and the Salvation Army in providing emergency shelter in Lynchburg.
New dashboard tracks Lynchburg’s derelict properties
Last month, Lynchburg’s community development department released an online dashboard that allows residents to follow rehabilitation work happening at derelict homes and commercial buildings across the city.
The city’s derelict housing program aims to redevelop blighted properties for new, safe use. Buildings deemed “derelict” are those that are a danger to public health, safety, and welfare and have been vacant for at least a year.
Since the program started in 2022, 106 cases of derelict housing have been opened. Of them, 72 cases are still active, and 26 cases have been closed — either because the home was demolished or rehabilitated — according to the dashboard.
The progress has led to a $2.6 million increase in assessed value for residential properties, according to the dashboard.
The dashboard, available on the city’s website, also displays information such as rehabilitation status and amounts owed by property owners not in compliance with the program — all browsable by address and other search criteria.
Ward II, which includes downtown and other historic neighborhoods, represents about 90% of derelict cases, with the other 10% distributed among Lynchburg’s three other wards.
