City of Covington Work Session March 3, 2026 By Ashley Prior Staff Writer   Covington, Va (March. 03, 2026) – This evening the Journal joined the City of Covington for their monthly Work Session at City Hall that was held at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Jeremy Holmes (Executive Director of the RV-ARC) gave the annual Roanoke Valley- Alleghany Regional Commission (RV-ARC) presentation. Mr. Holmes began with a reminder of what the RV-ARC is, “We are specifically directed by the code of Virginia to convene on member of governments around issues that are greater than local significance.” Transportation, Community Development, Housing and Economic Development are some of the regional significance issues that the RV-ARC addresses. City Manager Alan Dressler commented, “It’s difficult for us to get to Roanoke on a daily basis and Jeremey has created an opportunity for us to get together and break bread and just talk. I do appreciate Senator Head and Delegate Austin listening to us and we hope to continue that conversation, as we have some interesting facilities that we hope they can help us wrap our arms around.” Mayor Forbes moved to citizen comments where Brian Knick touched base with the 500 Block of Beverly and stated, “Alan brought me up to par a few minutes ago and I think everything is stepping in the right direction.” The agenda was then set for next week’s Council meeting, Tuesday March 10th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Covington City Hall. A Public Hearing on a Proposed Vacation of Undeveloped Public Right-Of-Way – Rivermont Redevelopment Project will be before the regular Council Meeting. The regular Council Meeting will entail April 2026 Clean Up Month, followed by Ordinance and Resolutions, Appointments, which are none, and concluding Consent Agenda, February 2026 Work Session and Council Meeting minutes. City Manager Dressler gave his report to the council. “I did speak with Mr. Knick and that project is out to bid. I want to say they are due Friday and I’ve got with the Public Works Director on that, so if the bids come in on a price that we anticipate, and council approves the appropriation we’ll certainly get right on that here in the Spring.” Dressler then spoke briefly on Lori Humphries retiring after 8 years, Crystal Hoke from the Commissioner of Revenues office for 21 years moved on. Several projects are getting ready to take place, Columbia Gas has been working in the Altamont area, they moved to Mallow, then to Route 18, and are connecting to 220. Once that is completed Columbia Gas will move downtown to Lexington Street. Columbia Gas will probably move to Fudge Street and Cherry Street area in the Summer to improve those lines. The sewer project was supposed to start yesterday will be delayed a few more weeks due to the subcontractors other committed work, it is still on task and has been assured to meet the completion goal. Dressler concluded by speaking briefly on sidewalk work and paving. The Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. All photos will soon be made available on the Alleghany Journal Facebook page.

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