COMMENTARY: Greater Transparency Needed from Colonial Williamsburg on Land Development

Secrecy and backroom deals are not how people want growth to proceed

Redevelopment for the Green Course at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club near Colonial Williamsburg is a possibility according to correspondence with government officials. (Photo Credit: George Arbogust, Williamsburg Independent)

Since publishing an article several days ago about Colonial Williamsburg’s potential redevelopment of a downtown parking lot, the Williamsburg Independent has attracted thousands of new readers. A post sharing the news on social media platform Nextdoor has garnered almost 6K views and dozens of public comments. These are not insignificant totals in a city with less than 16K people. I think the reaction signals deep, personal interest within the community concerning the development plans of the area’s largest land owner, as well as the extent of the government’s involvement. Without doubt, there's a desire for greater disclosure and more public participation in the planning and decision making.