MEASURES & TRENDS

Th is section is intended to highlight what is changing in the neighborhood, what pressures exist, and opportunities for partnerships.

LYNCHBURG GENERAL

As the primary healthcare facility in the region, Lynchburg General has a major presence in the midtown area of the Lynchburg. It is a direct neighbor to Dearington and owns a large amount of nearby land, some within the neighborhood boundaries. As the healthcare industry continues to expand, it is likely that Lynchburg General will do the same. Centra Health should be considered and consulted as a partner in Dearington’s continued evolution as there are mutual benefi ts to both the organization and the neighborhood. Increasing employment opportunities for neighborhood residents may allow Lynchburg General to have less parking. Improving recreational amenities in Dearington increases the attractiveness for recruiting employees working long shifts. While there may be commercial development pressures in midtown from the healthcare organization, Dearington may experience pressure from employees looking to live closer to where they work. Th e right balance will need to be struck to welcome new residents while maintaining current residents and neighborhood character.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

In recent years, active transportation (that other than riding a private vehicle) is being recognized as more and more important in low-income areas. Th e infrastructure to support it provides public health benefi ts as well as supports aff ordable means of travel to school, work, or other destinations. Th e benefi ts of this trend need to be capitalized upon for the Dearington Neighborhood to improve active transportation infrastructure and increase access to area destinations.

OVERHEAD UTILITY WORK

Appalachian Power (AEP) is working on a multiyear project to upgrade six miles of transmission line in Lynchburg, from Dearington to Rivermont. Th e upgrades reduce the likelihood of power outages and will help accommodate new growth. Th e project runs from the Dearington substation at Morgan and Th ird Street, along Page Street and then the length of Caroline Street through the center of the neighborhood. Construction dates have not yet been announced but as this portion runs through the center of the neighborhood, placement of new utility poles needs to ensure sidewalks are not impeded.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Lynchburg’s waterline infrastructure is aging and many of the city’s older areas have water lines 50, 100, or even 150 years old. Some of this dated infrastructure is also undersized for current standards. Lynchburg also continues to combat having a combined sewer system (stormwater + sanitary fl ow in single pipe systems that sometimes overfl ow in select locations). In recent years, the City has been successful in partnering waterline projects with above-ground infrastructure improvements. As that work continues into Dearington, joint projects should be considered.

POSSIBLY STAGNANT LAND

A lack of development pressure and ability of properties to experience redevelopment is also be a trend seen in Dearington, as well as other older areas of Lynchburg. Staff observed that a large amount of land in the Dearington neighborhood is undeveloped and researched ownership of the properties. While not perfect indicators, when combined, a large portion of land in Dearington is either vacant; contains vacant or condemned structures; is vacant and was last sold prior to 1990; contains the name “estate” in ownership records; or is more than three years delinquent on real estate taxes. Th ese categories indicate that there may be unknown property owners due to unsettled estates causing these properties to be stagnant. Present day potential owners and developers have diffi culty overcoming these issues and getting clear title to the property in order to put it into use. Th is is a City and even state-wide issue in older developed areas and options to get these properties into use should be explored. Additionally, properties that underwent past rezoning processes may have proff ers attached that limit the property's reuse. Th e presence of landfi lls in Dearington also contributes to the supply of stagnant land.

Existing powerpole placed in sidewalk on Hillcrest Avenue impedes ADA access and detracts from overall walkability. Page Street connects the neighborhood to the hospital area but lacks infrastructure for active transportation despite cut-through traffi c and speeding.