children.“Volunteers came in and built a brand-new playground for the children,” Beck explains. “We’re trying to fundraise for a skate park if we can get that in the years to come.” Private investment continues alongside public initiatives. Station 67, a planned sports complex featuring indoor basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts, promises to create gathering spaces for youth programs and nonprofit meetings, reinforcing Emporia’s strategy of building community resilience through shared spaces and experiences. BUILDING TOMORROW’S EMPORIA Emporia’s 18-month roadmap captures immediate needs and long-term ambitions. Johnson prioritizes three critical initiatives while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “One, pushing the developer to build the sports complex. Two would be to continue to create jobs in our community, especially with the loss of Georgia Pacific,” he outlines. “And one of the most important things we’re working on right now is to have a new police department built here in our city, a much-needed facility for the officers and dispatchers and that whole public safety team.” 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 EMPORIA, VA
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