The parking lot located at North Henry and Prince George streets behind the William & Mary Bookstore is set to be repaved – the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation applied with the city to begin the project.
Foundation officials said the project “is one of several key steps in the foundation’s expanding support for Merchants Square.”
“Thanks to valued partners including tenants and City of Williamsburg, business is returning to a ‘new normal’ in Merchants Square,” said Jeff Duncan, Colonial Williamsburg vice president of real estate, in a news release. “Together, we will continue to fully realize Merchants Square’s potential as an essential destination for locals and guests from afar. “
Colonial Williamsburg waived April rent for merchants amid the COVID-19 shutdown, prior to assistance becoming available to those merchants under the federal CARES Act.
Last month the city issued special zoning guidance allowing restaurant seating on closed streets and parking areas and facilitated the purchase of 40 new outdoor dining table sets currently in use on Duke of Gloucester Street in partnership with the foundation.
Here are other updates:
Facility and landscape improvements
Flower beds are currently being refreshed and benches painted throughout Merchants Square. Additional landscape improvements are planned for the outdoor space adjacent to Berrets Seafood Restaurant and Taphouse Grill at 199 S. Boundary St. to include new sod, a new brick walkway, and drainage improvements.
Expanded outdoor dining
All restaurants have expanded their outdoor seating areas, which have been enhanced with the addition of the new outdoor dining furniture on Duke of Gloucester Street from North Henry to Boundary Street.
Parking improvements
Colonial Williamsburg plans to renovate, repave and re-landscape the P2 parking lot on Prince George Street behind the William & Mary Bookstore, with work taking place from June 15 until August, pending city permitting and design approvals.
The foundation also plans in early 2021 to renovate, repave, and re-landscape the P4 parking lot behind the Merchants Square bus stop on South Henry Street.
P2 and P4 will transition to paid parking. The decision to charge a small convenience fee for the use of these improved spaces is critical to the foundation’s ability to maintain these parking lots appropriately.
Parking lot P3 behind Blue Talon Bistro on Prince George Street and lot P5 behind the Kimball Theatre on Francis Street will be re-striped in the coming weeks, with planning underway to fully renovate both lots in the future. Both the P3 and P5 lots will continue to offer free parking.
The foundation plans to work closely with the community as it evaluates the best long-term use and potential development of the P6 lot at South Henry and Francis Street which could enhance Williamsburg’s downtown for the benefit of all.
Merchants Square business updates
La Piazza restaurant is scheduled to open in early June at 403 W. Duke of Gloucester St., the former location of The Trellis.
The original owner of Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop, Gordon Angles, is returning, having reacquired with his daughter, Kimberly, the store at 414 W. Duke of Gloucester St.
New fashion retailers are expected to occupy the former Williams-Sonoma space at 440 W. Duke of Gloucester Street.
Colonial Williamsburg’s Craft House, Boxwood & Berry, and WILLIAMSBURG at Home will combine in a new home furnishings, interior design, and garden shop in the space adjacent to Illy Caffè at 435 W. Duke of Gloucester St., and with free interior flow of guests between Illy Caffè and the new store.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
