Reimagining Beverley Street: Your Chance to Shape Downtown Staunton

The City of Staunton is testing new ideas on Beverley Street, and your feedback can help shape the future of downtown.

Downtown Beverley Street is one of the most important public spaces in the Shenandoah Valley.

It is where residents meet friends for coffee, shop at local businesses, attend festivals, enjoy outdoor dining, and experience the heart of Staunton’s historic downtown. Whether you walk, bike, drive, or simply enjoy spending time downtown, Beverley Street belongs to all of us.

This summer, the City of Staunton and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission are giving residents a chance to experience what a more people-friendly Beverley Street could look like through the Beverley Street Demonstration Project. The temporary installation allows the community to test potential improvements and provide feedback before permanent changes are considered.

Why This Project Matters

Before the demonstration was designed, community members shared their thoughts through a public survey. More than 400 residents participated, and the results showed clear themes.

• People want more places to sit and rest.
• Many would like more greenery and planters.
• Residents support public art and more welcoming public spaces.
• Walking conditions and pedestrian crossings could be improved.
• Sidewalks can feel crowded during busy events and weekends.

These are not radical ideas. They are the kinds of improvements that make downtowns more comfortable, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone, from families with children to older adults, visitors, and local business customers.

What Is a Demonstration Project?

Instead of spending years debating ideas on paper, demonstration projects allow residents to experience potential changes in the real world.

Temporary materials are used to test concepts such as:

• Expanded pedestrian space
• Seating areas
• Landscaping and greenery
• Public gathering spaces
• Improved crossing treatments
• Streetscape enhancements

Residents can then provide feedback about what worked, what did not, and what they would like to see in the future.

Imagine a More Comfortable Downtown

A successful downtown is not just a place people drive through. It is a place where people want to spend time.

When streets feel comfortable to walk along, businesses benefit from increased foot traffic. When crossings feel safer, more people can access downtown independently. When public spaces invite people to linger, communities become stronger and more connected.

The Beverley Street Demonstration Project gives Staunton residents the opportunity to explore these possibilities and help shape the future of downtown together.

Hear From Penny

The Coalition’s Summer Communuty Engagement Intern, Penny Shelton,lives in Staunton and experiences Beverley Street regularly as a long-time resident. In this short video, she shares her perspective on what makes downtown special, how she gets around the city, and why community feedback on the demonstration project matters.

Your Feedback Matters

The demonstration is temporary. The decisions that come next are not.

The City is actively collecting public input to understand what residents like, what concerns they have, and what improvements they would support moving forward. Every survey response helps decision-makers understand what the community values most.

A Downtown Designed for People

Beverley Street is already one of Virginia’s great downtown streets.

This project asks an important question:

How can we make it even better?

Now is the time to experience the demonstration, share your feedback, and help create a downtown Staunton that works for everyone.

Learn more about the Beverley Street Demonstration Project and take the survey.