On Tuesday, July 21, Downtown Lynchburg Association, in partnership with the City of Lynchburg and Jamerson-Lewis Construction, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the Lynchburg Community Market to celebrate the completion of the Main Street East phase of the Downtown Renewal Project.

A crowd of more than 60 people gathered to mark the occasion, including members of City Council, City leadership, the City’s project team, construction contractors, downtown business owners and stakeholders, and other community members. The event followed last week’s reopening of two-way traffic on Main Street after two years of construction that brought much-needed infrastructure upgrades and streetscape improvements to the remainder of Main Street.

Stacy Garrett, Executive Director of Downtown Lynchburg Association, acknowledged the significance of the day.

“Today marks the completion of this important chapter in the Downtown Lynchburg’s revitalization, while also looking ahead to the continued investment that will strengthen our community for generations to come,” Garrett said of the fourth phase of Downtown Renewal. “Let’s think about that. Phase 1 done, phase 2 done, phase 3 done, and now it’s official … phase 4 is finally done today!”

Tim Mitchell, Director of Lynchburg Water Resources, spoke about what the critical infrastructure improvements will mean for Downtown Lynchburg.  

“While our work downtown is not yet complete, today’s ribbon-cutting marks a significant achievement,” Mitchell said. “We have completed the most challenging section of the program, Main Street, replacing critical water infrastructure while also transforming the streetscape above it.”

Clu Pettyjohn, Project Manager for Jamerson-Lewis Construction, credited the success of the project to the teamwork shown by the entire project team.

This latest phase of the Downtown Renewal Project has transformed Main Street between 12th Street and the Lynchburg Expressway with renewed water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, enhanced streetscapes, and roadway improvements. Its completion marks the successful renewal of infrastructure along the entire length of Main Street, replacing century-old waterlines and creating a safer, more accessible, and more vibrant downtown for residents, visitors, and businesses for generations to come.  

The next phase of the Downtown Renewal program will shift to Court Street (between 5th Street and 9th Street) in 2027. Learn more about Lynchburg’s Downtown Renewal at www.renewlyh.com.