Commentary: My 2025 Predictions Graded
2 F's and a D- drag down the Independent Magic Crystal Ball's grade to a C-
Last year about this time, I asked my magic crystal ball to predict what would happen in 2025. Here’s its report card.
Prediction #1: Williamsburg suffers in school negotiations due to City Council school breakup blunder.
GRADE: B
A new contract for the joint school system was finally signed by Williamsburg and James City County in October, over two years after the issue became contentious. During that time, most deliberation and negotiation was conducted behind closed doors with little public input.
In hindsight, the term “suffer” is overly subjective for a prediction and isn’t limited to Williamsburg. Though Williamsburg’s funding for schools has increased, with modest guaranteed increases each year, it’s unclear how the funding is actually tied to student performance. That was supposedly the most pressing issue for city leaders who claimed the issue was the reason for exploring an independent school district in the first place.
The city manager and county executives now will lead the school budgeting process instead of the school board. In this way, everyone loses.
Prediction #2: Colonial Williamsburg/HTRFA double down on high density and commercial developments.
GRADE: D-
This year, both the City and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation seemed to be distracted by other projects that proved to be more pressing than developing land for commercial and residential purposes. For example, the Foundation unveiled plans to build a new visitor arrival center on property between the historic area and Lafayette St. The goal is likely to have the new facility up and running in time for the 250th celebrations.
As for the HTRFA, they’ve been busy with sports venues and live performance venues. Williamsburg has focused on libraries and even a strange history-themed children’s park (it’s not a splash park!). But I still guess that the real estate development ideas are cooking on the back burner, and will eventually bubble over again. After the summer celebrations next year, look for this issue to heat up.
Prediction #3: Sports and Entertainment Center will be behind schedule, over budget and under-booked by year end.
GRADE: F
The sports venue is on target to finish on-time and on-budget and there don’t appear to be any changes to the scope of work which could increase the overall costs. The venue continues to secure bookings and key leadership and business development roles have been filled. Time will tell how revenue and expenses go moving forward but seem on track for now.
Prediction #4: College of William & Mary reverses course, announces plans to build more dorms and guarantee student housing.
GRADE: F
Oh well, go big or go home. And it seems like the students have enough places to call home at this point, so no new announcements about dorms.
To make myself feel better, I will point out that William and Mary’s plans to build a new admissions office and student center while tearing down 100-year-old houses on Jamestown Rd appeared here first. Also, I reported on the coordination between the city and college concerning FOIA responses, which had not previously been disclosed publicly.
Prediction #5: Williamsburg Independent emerges as the City’s leading source for news and commentary.
GRADE: A
At least I didn’t give myself an A+. Thanks for reading!
Stay tuned for The Magic Crystal Ball’s 2026 predictions that are also sure to be wrong.
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