Supporters say newly opened roundabout will help revive once-vibrant corridor

The much-debated Fifth Street roundabout was officially opened Friday, a milestone hailed as the dawn of a new day for this once-vibrant city corridor.

“We had a vision to see this area be revitalized,” reflected Dabney McCain, past president of the Fifth Street Community Development Corp., a citizens’ advocacy group. “It was a long process, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but it’s finally happening now. This is a great day for the city and for the community.”

The roundabout and related Fifth Street improvements were showcased during an unveiling ceremony that drew more than 100 people. The festivities, held at the center of the 120-foot-wide roundabout itself, ended with a parade of vintage cars that made the maiden voyage around the new circular intersection. The cars — provided courtesy of the Lynchburg Area Antique Automobile Club of America — were followed by a city fire truck that also made it around the circle with ease.

“This is a wonderful day to be alive and well in Lynchburg, especially in Ward II,” said City Councilman Ceasor Johnson, the representative for Ward II, which includes Fifth Street.

“I’m just pleased as punch that this finally happened,” Johnson said. “After all the meetings and all the debates and all the budget sessions where we had to scrimp and beg to keep this — I think people will see now that it was worth it.”

The improvements to Fifth Street, which include new tree-lined sidewalks and upgrades to the utility system, has faced heated opposition from those who consider the project an unnecessary expense in a time of financial crisis.

Its supporters say the improvements, which cost nearly $1.7 million, are

necessary in order to revive the declining Fifth Street corridor and will ultimately make money by encouraging new private investment.

The roundabout and related improvements are part one of a three-phase city plan to revitalize Fifth Street. Future phases call for additional street work along the thoroughfare. No funding has been allocated for that at this time.

The end of work on phase one means that Fifth Street will now be completely open to traffic for the first time since construction began there in January. The city decided to shut off access to the work zone between Jackson and Harrison streets during that time, much to the frustration of existing businesses.

Each of the speakers during Friday’s ceremony, including Mayor Joan Foster and City Planner Tom Martin, made note of the burden to the business community and thanked storeowners for their patience.

“You stayed with us and put up with the inconvenience,” Foster said. “And each of you is part of something really special today.”

Fifth Street, one of the major arteries into downtown, was once a bustling commercial area that served as the hub of the city’s black community during the days of segregation. It suffered a decline in later decades but has enjoyed a renewed sense of hope in recent years as buildings have been renovated and new stores opened.

The roundabout, located at Fifth and Federal streets, is the first major project to be carried out there since the city adopted a formal revitalization plan for the corridor in 2006.

All traffic in the roundabout flows in one direction. Drivers should bear right upon entering the circle. Cars already in the roundabout have the right of way.

The center of the roundabout is currently a plain patch of grass. The Fifth Street Community Development Corp. eventually hopes to add some decoration, such as a fountain or statue, but must raise the funding for that on its own. The city has said it will not contribute to that aspect of the project.

The citizens committee is still mulling over ideas for the decoration, but members say the current preference is for an installation that represents the city as a whole, rather than honoring one specific person or community.

“This has been a testimony to what the city can do when everyone comes together,” said committee member Walter Fore of the streetscape improvements.