Much happened in the City of Williamsburg in 2014, from a City Council election to economic redevelopment on Prince George Street and Second Street. Check out these highlights from 2014 in the city.
January
- At its organizational meeting, local developer Demetrios Florakis was elected chairman of the Williamsburg Planning Commission.
- The Williamsburg City Council announced its initial timeline for construction of the Stryker Center, the proposed new home for the body. Construction was projected to begin in April or May, but prolonged negotiations held up the process until November.
- Longtime president and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Colin Campbell announced he would retire from the position.
February
- In February, city officials began to discuss plans to widen a portion of Monticello Avenue near the Williamsburg Shopping Center.
- The deaths of two Williamsburg men were from carbon monoxide poisoning linked to a malfunctioning electric generator in their apartment building led to a change in the law, as the General Assembly passed a law requiring landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors in their properties.
- News broke in February that Planning Commission Chair Demetrios Florakis was charged with embezzlement in relation to a construction project in the city.
- Williamsburg joined with other Hampton Roads localities to form the Regional Wet Weather Management Plan, a regional sewer district.
- After a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees, Genevieve Owens took over as director of the Williamsburg Regional Library.
March
- Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency after weather predictions forecast several inches of snow across much of the state, including the Historic Triangle.
- Just before the end of the month, City Manager Jack Tuttle released a proposed budget of more than $50 million for the city for Fiscal Year 2015.
April
- In April, City Council recommended focusing on street improvements in the Second Street area to support the wave of economic revitalization that has come through that part of the city.
- Later in the month, local bakery Cakes by Tawanda relocated from its location in Norge to a new one in Williamsburg. Business was buzzing at the store in June when a large beehive with thousands of bees was discovered in the building’s walls.
- At the behest of the City Council, city staff added funds to the city’s proposed budget to cover the design costs for underground wiring on Second and South Henry Streets.
May
- On Election Day, Williamsburg voters awarded Scott Foster and Doug Pons with second terms on the Williamsburg City Council. Foster and Pons had run unopposed in the race.
- After 41 years in business, Massey’s Camera Shop on Prince George Street announced it would close its doors.
- At its May meeting, the City Council adopted a $49.72 million budget. The final budget was less than City Manager Jack Tuttle’s original proposal, largely due to tweaks to the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.
June
- In June, Copper Fox Distillery owner Rick Wasmund made an offer to purchase the city-owner former Lord Paget Motel with plans to convert it into a second location for his Sperryville-based distillery. The city agreed in principle to sell the property later in the month.
- After a monthslong search, the Colonial Williamsburg tapped former College of William & Mary administrator Mitchell Reiss as its next leader.
July
- In July, the Griffin Arms mixed-use building became the latest addition to the Prince George Street corridor.
- Later in the month, Blue Green Vacations Unlimited announced plans to demolish the defunct Colonial Capital Inn on Penniman Road. Demolition occurred over the summer.
- Less than a month after Massey’s Camera Shop closed, it was replaced on Prince George Street by the Tervis Store.
August
- In August, the Williamsburg Shopping Center was sold at a foreclosure auction on the steps of the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse. Later that month, the Williamsburg City Council approved a policy supporting economic incentives to redevelop the shopping center.
- Later that month, results of the National Citizen Survey gave Williamsburg high marks for its quality of life.
- At the end of the month, The Jewish Mother restaurant in Williamsburg closed for good after being evicted from its space in the Triangle Building for consistently late and missed rent payments.
September
- In September, construction began at the mixed-use Quarterpath at Williamsburg development near Route 199.
- Later in the month, the city debuted a new online comment system to allow for greater communication between citizens and city staff.
- The Williamsburg Economic Development Authority voted to relocate the regional business incubator from its previous location in James City County to the Health Evaluation Center in the city. The move was abandoned in December, as the lease for the building fell through.
- City residents pointed out housing and economic development as the most important goals for the city in the coming year at a public meeting with city officials.
October
- In October, the city filed suit against The Jewish Mother for the unpaid rent that led to its eviction from the Triangle Building.
- After months of delays, demolition of the Stryker Building finally began at the end of October.
November
- City Manager Jack Tuttle announced he would retire from the job at the end of June after more than 23 years in Williamsburg.
- Mayor Clyde Haulman focused on regional issues and economic development at his annual State of the City address.
December
- Hundreds of community members turned out at the College of William & Mary’s Swem Library for a “Black Lives Matter” demonstration.
- Newport News-based Rick’s Cheese Steak Shop signed a lease to move into the Triangle Building to take one of the spots formerly occupied by The Jewish Mother.
- Williamsburg closed out fiscal year 2014 with a budget surplus.
- The fate of eight historic houses along Jamestown Road gave members of the Williamsburg Planning Commission concerns about historic preservation.
