NEWS: Building Projects Dominate Williamsburg City Council Plans
City Leadership Touts Mega-Region, Business Ready Sites, Infill Development of Downtown Core in Latest GIO
Earlier this month, the Williamsburg City Council released a slide presentation about upcoming Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes (GIO) for the 2025 and 2026 years, calling it “an expression of priorities, as specific and measurable as possible.” These priorities take the form of what the City deemed “two-year strategic initiatives” which they claim will be the focus and direction of future City Council actions.
According to the City’s leadership, the GIO was driven by input from the community. Their outreach efforts included a mailed survey, called the National Community Survey, which was sent to a sample of City residents. It’s unclear why the city didn’t mail the survey to all residents, as they frequently do for other things like the City Manager’s annual update or tax notices. The City says that another online survey called the GIO Public Input Survey was also made available to residents.
In-person events called Future Festivals were also held in several spots around the city to solicit input and feedback on the GIOs. Details on how this data was compiled and weighted in the decision making process has not been disclosed by the City.
The slides posted by the City cover a wide range of issues, though the presentation states the City continues “advancing many other items” as well. One such task identified by Williamsburg leadership in the presentation will be completing a new Comprehensive Plan – last updated in 2021 – as part of their overall efforts to move elements of the GIO forward. More details are below.
Economic Development
According to the presentation, City leaders would like to develop a large Research Village as part of the mega-region touted for the area spanning Richmond and Hampton Roads.
The City also wants to set the stage for more land to be developed in accordance with the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, which the document claims will help the region be ready to attract the “next big opportunity” though no additional details are given as to what that is.
Williamsburg would like to redevelop existing hotel properties in what the city calls “Tourism Product Renewal.”
The document touts the potential to redevelop City-owned properties along Capitol Landing Road.
New Public Buildings
In order to complement the Greater Williamsburg Sport and Events Center currently being constructed, the City Council would also like to build additional sports tourism facilities at the site for ice and aquatic sports
Along with sports, leadership wants to construct a live music venue at the same site. The City has already signed a preliminary agreement with the selected builder, MEB, who is also building the sports center.
The city is currently soliciting bids to build a new 55,000 square foot library on the site of the existing library downtown.
Also on the list is the creation of a children’s park downtown that focuses on interactive history.
Infrastructure
Implementing smart city technology in City infrastructure service areas like parking and road conditions is highlighted in the presentation.
Also specified is the Complete Streets Policy, which aims to make streets more accessible to many different types of users beyond vehicles.
The City claims that making the city more accessible must include a pedestrian/bike plan, in which Trail 757, connecting with the Capital Trail and incorporating the College Woods Circuit are part.
Adding a structured shoreline ADA-compliant launch that includes an accessible pathway at College Landing Park is a goal, according to the City.
Housing
City leadership calls for additional housing to be built downtown, focusing on infill development.
Several programs aimed at making it easier to buy a home are identified in the presentation, including a first-time homebuyers program, workforce housing options and methods to slow neighborhood gentrification.
Williamsburg also wants to study architectural review boundaries while making historic home ownership easier through a Preservation Assistance Fund.
Enticing landlords to improve the quality of their rental properties in the city is the goal of a program the city calls “Rent Ready.”
Education
According to the presentation, Williamsburg seeks to quantify demand for pre-K education.
Additionally, the City indicates a desire to partner with the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg and develop education opportunities for their students.
City leadership would like to see a focus in the schools on what they describe as the "education to career pipeline.”
On the heels of reconfirming their commitment to the joint school system with James City County, the City leadership mentions focusing on “smaller-scale, additive programs” that can target under-performing groups of students.
(Update: 1-6-25 The title was updated to identify this piece as news).
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Send stories and ideas to contact@williamsburgindependent.com.