The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presented new plans Tuesday to the Architectural Review Board to move forward with a pedestrian plaza in Merchant’s Square.
During the meeting, Jeff Duncan, vice president of real estate for the foundation, described the layout for the plaza, which is nearly identical to the application from 2018 that had been retracted after the foundation decided to take a step back and evaluate options more, he said.
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This time, the plan does not include a video wall.
“What I had proposed [in the fall] turned out to be very monstrous and overwhelmed the plan itself,” Duncan said.
Instead, the new layout provides an area of grassy green space where an inflatable screen could be placed for certain events if need be. Duncan said this would be similar to the annual free movie viewings on Prince George Street in the summer.
That part of the plan is not set in stone, but rather still being taken into consideration as the foundation plans to make the place both an area where visitors can relax in peace but also a space that can host events.
Currently, the location is home to the P3 parking lot, which provides parking and access to a number of shops located in the square. Creating the pedestrian plaza would remove 40 parking spaces from the area.
Members of the Architectural Review Board raised concern over how that would impact the businesses directly next to the P3 lot.
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Duncan said the city had performed a parking study in 2016 that had determined the city had approximately 1,000 parking spaces that were in excess of its needs.
However, members of the board argued that with the high turnover rate of parking in that area, 40 spaces could really mean 400 spaces that are being lost because cars are so frequently coming and going from the lot.
Duncan said the removal of 40 spaces would not be detrimental to the parking structure, especially because there are nearby lots at the William & Mary Bookstore.
Additionally, the foundation plans to still maintain approximately eight spaces that could be used for short-term parking, such as loading and unloading, as well as be accessible in accordance with the American Disabilities Act.
The board asked Duncan how local businesses directly impacted by the area reacted to the plan and Duncan said there were mixed responses, mostly because of the parking changes it would entail.
Duncan said there are approximately 1.5 million visitors who walk through Merchant’s Square on an annual basis and he plans to increase that number by providing a quiet location where people can spend more time downtown.
“I was disappointed when this was scrubbed the last time, so I’m happy to see it back,” said Andrew Edwards, planning commission representative.
Duncan also said the foundation has applied for a grant through the city’s Tourism Development Fund, which is still being considered.
The next step in the process, Duncan said, is to submit applications to the city’s Planning Commission for special use permits to remove the 40 parking spaces and convert the area into a pedestrian plaza. He added there will also have to be changes in the city’s zoning text which would allow the foundation to build the plaza at the P3 lot.
