Federal grant money could help turn the Queen City into the Green City. Staunton is applying for $1.5 million to create what planners call a "walkable watershed."
Much of the grant would be spent on streetscape improvements to Central Avenue and creating more walking and biking routes across the city. The work would complement environmental projects already under way.
Staunton City Councilor Bruce Elder said, "That also means green space and shade. We're talking about tree-planting projects along Central Avenue, as continuing the streetscape. We're talking about flood mitigation. This all ties together in a natural way."
He says the series of projects aim to link all of Staunton's neighborhoods, beginning with the downtown district. The city should find out if it's earned the federal grant in September.
