10 ways to spend $5M
As planning for a live performance venue languishes, Williamsburg has better uses for remaining COVID-relief funds
This post is opinion and commentary.
Last year, Williamsburg passed along $5 million in COVID-relief funds to the Historic Triangle Recreation Facilities Authority (HTRFA). The city had previously stated that the funds would be put towards some sort of live performance venue and/or amphitheater. But it turns out that the money was moved without following proper procedures and ultimately the city had to take the money back.
Remember, the HTRFA is made up of local governments and funded by a combination of sales and hotel tax revenue from around the region. Its total budget in Fiscal Year 2026 was over $34 million, most in capital expenditures. Currently, the organization is putting the finishing touches on the $80 million Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center (GWSEC), which is expected to open in August near the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center.
Compounding the recent $5 million oversight issue is the fact that the discrepancy only surfaced after an engaged city resident, Dr. Robert Wilson (a contributor to the Williamsburg Independent) began questioning the payment. The city admitted that the mistake would likely have slipped through the cracks unnoticed without Dr. Wilson’s troublesome meddling, I mean diligent oversight.
James City County Administrator Scott Stevens was recently appointed as chair of the HTRFA board. The move comes after the recent resignation for unknown reasons of Williamsburg’s former City Manager, who also chaired the HTRFA. Last week, Mr. Stevens graciously responded to an email I sent asking about several items, including the $5 million taken back by the city and the performance venue. That openness is a positive change for the organization.
“I believe the HTRFA has proper financial oversight,” Stevens wrote, pointing to the experience of the city which serves as the organization’s fiscal agent. He also noted that the HTRFA is audited annually by an independent firm. That said, Mr. Stevens acknowledged that additional oversight may be needed going forward. “As with anything we do, our intent is to follow legal and procedural requirements. As a relatively new organization, I expect you will see more policies and procedures being developed to ensure we have clear direction and authority.”
That’s all positive news, because the organization was actually created in 2021 and is responsible for a lot of money and a generational project in the GWSEC. Managing that massive responsibility and ensuring its success is not a side gig or one that can simply be left to contractors and consultants. Let’s see how this $80 million sports tourism investment turns out before building anything else.
Which brings us back to the live performance venue, aka the amphitheater. Mr. Stevens wrote about the project in his email response. “The live performance venue has been discussed for a few years now and the $5 million doesn’t have an impact unless we move forward with its construction. Before we evaluate funding alternatives, we need to talk with our elected officials about this project. My expectation is that should occur in the next few months.”
It’s long past time that the relief money be spent (or at least planned to be spent), rather than hoarded by the city for a project that never seems to go anywhere. The $5 million was first allocated in the FY23 budget, and was discussed well before that. Whatever you thought of the necessity of the COVID relief funds originally, most of us can probably agree that the point was not hijacking it for an ill-defined, unplanned and underfunded pet project. Local leaders have been given half a decade to make this project happen, so what’s a few more months, right?
No. They’ve wasted enough time and the HTRFA should not get that money. Down the road, funding can be figured out when and if the music venue can prove viable.
In the meantime, in no particular order, here’s my list of 10 things the city could spend the money on instead.
Mortgage assistance: The city announced a mortgage assistance program with a bit less than $1 million in other COVID relief funds. Go ahead and throw the $5 million in there.
Redevelop Blayton/Triangle buildings: The city already stashed $3 million in relief funds to redevelop the city-owned Triangle Building downtown, which hasn’t made any progress either. Across the street is the Blayton building, which currently houses many of the city’s elderly residents and has also been designated for replacement. One would think that putting $5 million more towards the project should be useful in getting it moving.
City employee housing: Suggestions to address housing shortages have included building dedicated housing for city employees in Waller Mill Park.
Highland Park Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) infrastructure project totaling $2.75 million, focused on sidewalks and drainage upgrades has been removed from the FY2027 CIP after repeated state grant applications were denied.
Library: Build the new library to the highest standard possible. The city has an approximately $5 million shortfall on their ideal facility. Well, there you have it.
Downtown children’s park: The thing to keep in mind that it’s not a splash park. It’s a park with a water feature. (Also doable are the upgrades to the existing park at Waller Mill.)
Hire additional staff: In the proposed FY27 budget, nine requested FTE positions across Public Works, Police, and Fire were left unfunded.
Give it to local charities: In total, 67 agencies and organizations were recommended for a combined total of $4,561,371 in the FY27 proposed budget. Double that.
Budget reserves: The proposed FY27 budget anticipates that the City will be unable to make contributions to its targeted stabilization reserves, including school, general fund, debt service, and HUD reserves.
Tax relief: A novel idea for sure, but options include pausing the restaurant and lodging tax imposed last year, or giving a temporary rebate on property taxes.
I’m sure there’s plenty of other ways to spend the money too. How would you invest that $5 million back in the community?
The writer used AI tools and multiple official sources including budget documents, meeting agendas and videos.
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