Colonial Williamsburg’s Goodwin Square is back in front of City Council Thursday, but the project’s official approval or denial may get delayed another month.
City Council is slated to consider two Goodwin Square-related items at its regular monthly meeting at 2 p.m., according to the meeting agenda.
City staff has recommended delaying the vote on both items at the request of Colonial Williamsburg.
The Goodwin Square project has collected both support and opposition: Some believe the project could attract tourists and locals to Merchants Square, while others worry removing 40 parking spaces from the P3 lot could negatively impact nearby businesses.
Colonial Williamsburg’s Vice President of Real Estate Jeff Duncan requested a delay last week on its Goodwin Square items “to complete negotiations” about “Goodwin Square and downtown parking in Merchants Square.”
Duncan did not return a phone call Tuesday requesting comment about the meeting.
RELATED STORY: Colonial Williamsburg requested another delay on Goodwin Square vote. What gives?
City Council already agreed to table the two agenda items once at its September meeting, but approved a separate agenda item allowing any property owner in the B1 Downtown Business District — including Colonial Williamsburg — to build a private plaza with a special use permit.
If council agrees to delay the vote again, it will delay the official decision on Tourism Development Fund grant funding for local tourism-related projects. Grant review committee members recommended Colonial Williamsburg receive $400,000 for five consecutive years to assist in building Goodwin Square.
Besides Goodwin Square, Colonial Williamsburg has multiple other items on the agenda related to a different project. The foundation has not requested those to be bumped to a different meeting.
Two items relate to construction of an outdoor live music event venue at Berret’s Seafood Restaurant & Taphouse Grill.
RELATED STORY: Berret’s outdoor stage proposal secures recommendation from Planning Commission
Another application requests a long-term special event license for Colonial Williamsburg’s operation of the annual ice skating rink in the middle of Duke of Gloucester Street.
City Council will meet in the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary St.
