Stanardsville has completed various projects funded by a $1 million Downtown Revitalization grant awarded to the town in 2017 by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The funds were used for façade improvements on several commercial buildings on Main Street and the historic William Mills House behind the Library; the complete rehabilitation of an apartment on Ford Avenue; demolition and removal of the vacant dwelling at 9 Main Street; and construction of a Pavilion and Stage behind the County Administration building. Known as Greene Commons, the Pavilion houses a year-round Farmers Market with 15-18 vendors that draws an average of 200 customers every Saturday.
Also completed in May, 2023 were the Phase II Streetscape Improvements, extending the Phase I improvements to the west and east on the north side of Main Street, with 23 new streetlights and a pedestrian bridge over Mitchell Creek. These new sidewalks connect the downtown area to the shopping center on the west side of town and to the pharmacy on the east side.
Here is text of Mayor Gary Lowe’s letter to the editor about completed grant projects from the January 14, 2021 issue of the Greene County Record: Grant accomplishments
William Mills House
Greene Commons pavilion & stage
The grant proposal, written by Community Planning Parners, included a detailed Economic Restructuring Plan for Stanardsville. Here is the article about the grant award in the September 8, 2016 issue of the Greene County Record Town awarded million dollar grant
Further reading:
Stanardsville: Vision for its Future– A recent vision document endorsed by individuals representing the Town, the County, and *STAR.*
Comprehensive Plan – Stanardsville’s 2011 Comprehensive Plan intended to guide future development and physical growth within the town for the next ten to twenty years.
Vision & Market Position – A document prepared by *STAR* that gives a view of what Stanardsville might look like by 2025.