*Hosted by the City of Harrisonburg
What’s happening
Harrisonburg has secured $14.3 million in federal grant (RAISE) funding to transform Liberty Street and connect more of Downtown with safe, people-first mobility. The project—known as the Downtown Harrisonburg Streetscape & Mobility Transformation—will add a two-way protected cycle track, a 10-foot shared path linking Grattan St. to Martin Luther King Jr. Way and the Bluestone Trail, and major pedestrian safety upgrades (curb extensions, ADA-compliant ramps, enhanced crossings, signals, and accessible bus boarding).

It also includes (hopefully) green medians, intersection updates, driveway/access management for fewer conflict points, and utility upgrades—all building a safer, more welcoming Downtown.

This is the City’s Kickoff Open House for preliminary engineering. Designs will evolve with public input—this is your chance to shape them.

Why it’s important

• Safety first: Protected bike lanes, shorter crossings, and clearer intersections reduce crashes and near-misses for everyone—people walking, biking, rolling, riding transit, and driving.
• Connected city: A direct link to the Bluestone Trail means easier, low-stress trips between Downtown, JMU, and Purcell Park.
• Equity & access: ADA-compliant improvements and better bus stops make everyday travel more reliable for people of all ages and abilities.
• Vibrant Downtown: Green space, modern signals, and better sidewalks support local businesses and make Downtown more inviting.
• Fully funded build: The RAISE grant covers the current estimated cost at 100%, meaning no local match is required at this time.

What to expect at the Open House

• Learn the corridor concepts (cycle track, path connection, crossings, medians, signals).
• See how access/driveway changes can reduce conflict points and improve safety.
• Understand the timeline: Preliminary Engineering (2025–2026), Right-of-Way (2026–2027), Construction (2028–2029).
• Share feedback that will shape refinements block-by-block.

Who should come
Residents, students, families, business owners, Downtown workers, transit riders—anyone who wants safer, simpler ways to get around and a thriving Downtown.

How you can help

• Show up, ask questions, and share local knowledge.
• Bring a neighbor or a coworker.
• Tell the city what success looks like for your block or business.

You Must REGISTER to attend: Use the promo code VCNHARR2025 to waive the suggested donation
(only valid for the Harrisonburg watch party).

Join conservation advocates in the Valley on December 6 from 9am-noon at JMU’s Ice House in Harrisonburg to learn about legislative action anticipated in the 2026 General Assembly that affects our land, water and communities in Virginia. This a great opportunity to hear from statewide environmental experts and meet other groups and individuals working here in the Valley to make our cities, towns and villages more vibrant, preserve our working farmland, and ensure clean water for future generations.

Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley is partnering with Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and JMU’s Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue to host a breakfast watch-party viewing of Virginia Conservation Network‘s (VCN) speaker lineup in Richmond. We’ll also have some time to talk about emerging local issues.

December 6, 2025

Main Schedule

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Watch Party Welcome (In-Person Only)
Doors open for regional watch parties around the state. Coffee and breakfast provided!

9:15 AM – 10:50 AM
General Assembly Preview Presentations
Whether at home or streaming at a watch party, join to hear environmental experts share what legislation we expect to see during the 2026 General Assembly session.

9:15 – 9:20 AM: Welcome
9:20 – 9:30 AM: Lay of the Land

9:30 – 10:45 AM: Issue Highlights
– Solar & Storage
– Fighting Fossil Fuel Infrastructure
– Data Center Reform
– Clean Water & Flood Resilience
– Land & Wildlife Conservation

10:45 – 10:50 AM: VCN Resources & Next Steps
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Regional Discussions (In-Person Only)
Join a regional discussion with local conservation advocates in your area, led by our regional hosts.

Join the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition as we ride bicycles in the 2025 Harrisonburg Holiday Parade!

Dress Up! Decorate your bicycles! Bring your kids! Bring your wacky bikes! We will be biking behind The Bubble Bus!!

The theme this year is Gingerbread Dreams and Sugar Plum Scenes

Here are the details:
***We must be lined up at the Rockingham County Government Center by 6:30 PM. PLEASE JOIN us by 6:45 pm

• Everyone is welcome. Just be sure to bring your bike and helmet!
• Your bike and/or person should be decorated or in costume.
• You MUST wear a helmet to ride in the parade (City of Harrisonburg Rules)
• You cannot dress as Santa or Ms. Claus
• The parade will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and is approximately 1 mile long – beginning at the corner of Gay and Main St. and ends at City Hall.
• Be sure to dress warmly as we may have to wait a while in the staging area for the parade to begin.
• If you are handing out candy/information/etc., please do not throw those items from your bike – but you can walk to the edge of the sidewalk and hand out to spectators

Let us know you’re coming!