Year in Review: An Overview of Stories from the City of Williamsburg in 2015

This year, the City of Williamsburg hired a new city manager, hometown musicians who made it big returned to perform at Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre and redevelopment remained a focus City Council.

Find these stories and more highlights from the year in WYDaily’s annual review.

January

• City staff offered an assessment of affordable housing in Williamsburg, concluding the city has cheaper housing options than neighboring localities but it could do more to promote those options.
• The Williamsburg Fire Department hired a new deputy fire chief. Larry Snyder, a College of William & Mary graduate, came to the city from the Hanover EMS Department.
• Kyra Cook began her first term on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board. City Council appointed her to the seat in December 2014.
• The City Planning Commission reappointed Demetrios Florakis as its chairman and Sarah Stafford and Chris Connolly as the first vice chairwoman and second vice chairman, respectively.
• The inaugural Winter Blues Jazz Fest was deemed a success after more than 1,200 tickets were sold to the four-day celebration of jazz music. The event is expected to return in 2016.
• Lee Ann Hartmann, a longtime spokesperson with Newport News’ utilities and engineering departments, was hired to be the city’s new communications specialist.
• The cast and crew from the AMC series TURN: Washington’s Spies returned to the city to film scenes on the campus of the College of William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg in January, then returned in early February to host a discussion called “Television, History and Revolution.”

February

• After a review of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, members of the Planning Commission emphasized that road improvements should a main focus for the city over the next three years.
• City Council approved the creation of a new zoning district, a first step in the process to allow hotels to transform rooms into apartments.
• City Council OK’d the purchase of two dilapidated hotels on Capitol Landing Road, the White Lion Motel and the Country Hearth Inn & Suites. The purchase follows a recent trend from the city to buy rundown hotels and encourage future redevelopment that fits into the city’s vision for the area.
• The compliance requirements were eased in the Arts District for “creative economy” businesses to receive certain tax and fee rebates from the city.
• After initially rejecting a proposal to install speed humps on Gov. Berkeley Road, City Council approved the traffic calming measures.
• Council members took time during their winter retreat to raise their concerns about the parking situation in downtown Williamsburg. The discussion proved fruitful, as the city later launched a parking study.
• Rick’s Cheese Steak Shop opened in one of two spaces left vacant in the city-owned Triangle Building after The Jewish Mother failed to follow through with its plan to open a deli and restaurant in Summer 2014.
• Dan Quarles resigned from the Planning Commission.

March

• Colonial Williamsburg’s official website was among several American sites hit during a cyberattack attributed to ISIS. The attack came about a week after the living history museum offered to house artifacts at risk of destruction in Iraq.
• City Council approved a bid from Branscome Inc. to fulfill the city’s annual road resurfacing project.
• The Economic Development Authority from each of the greater Williamsburg localities – the City of Williamsburg, York County and James City County – voted to recommend the money currently sent to the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance instead be redirected to a new local group.
• City Manager Jack Tuttle’s proposed his budget for fiscal 2016, which was the largest since 2009.
• Chowning’s Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street reopened as an alehouse with a remodeled interior and a new menu.

April

• A bundle of ordinances passed City Council that would allow city hotels and motels to renovate rooms into apartments with the aim of creating more affordable housing options in Williamsburg. The Knights Inn, owned by City Councilman Doug Pons, became the first applicant to convert some of its rooms.
• A movement from College of William & Mary students to amend the City of Williamsburg’s noise ordinance was silenced, as the City Council declined to take action on the issue.
• City Council voted to move forward with a proposal to repair and improve the streetscape along the York Street corridor from the three-way intersection of Lafayette, Page and York streets through a portion of Quarterpath Road.
• The Williamsburg Economic Development Authority approved a plan to fund the installation of bike racks throughout the city, allowing cyclists to leave their rides unattended without fear of theft.
• The city enlisted the services of RLC Co. to complete a market analysis of the Williamsburg Shopping Center with an eye toward redeveloping the declining mall.

May

• A traveling art exhibit, Las Bicicletas, came to the city for a six-month run. The art from Sculptor Gilberto Aceves Navarro was put on display around Williamsburg, James City County and Yorktown.
• City Council made studying the affordable housing situation a focus in early 2015. With the city’s small population expected to increase by more than 3,000 people by 2040, WYDaily took a closer look at the challenges the city faces as it addresses housing.
• City Council adopted a $56.4 million budget, its largest since 2009, for fiscal 2016. Among the changes from the initial proposal was a $100,000 increase in its contribution to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance.
• Discount grocer Aldi announced its plans to open a store on Richmond Road.
• Colonial Williamsburg Foundation President Mitchell Reiss announced the living history museum intended to open a petting farm in Market Square and a live-fire musket range to help boost visitation numbers through more interactive features.
• Ten years after their concert in support of 92.3 The Tide’s launch, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers returned to Williamsburg to celebrate the station’s birthday.
• Andrew Edwards, an archaeologist with Colonial Williamsburg and a longtime member of the city’s Architectural Review Board, was appointed to the Planning Commission. Edwards filled the seat left vacant by Dan Quarles’ departure earlier in the year.
• Chris Connolly, the first College of William & Mary student to serve on the Planning Commission, stepped down to pursue a job opportunity in New York City after graduating earlier in the month. David Julien, president of Williamsburg Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, was appointed to fill the seat.

June

• The Williamsburg City Council approved the demolition of the White Lion Hotel and the Country Hearth Inn, both on Capitol Landing Road, months after purchasing them to help guide redevelopment in that corridor.
• A small plate tapas-inspired dining bar and restaurant called Triangle opened on Prince George Street, putting the city-owned Triangle Building at full capacity.
• The Williamsburg Fire Department reported it received more than $49,000 in grants in fiscal 2015, most of which went toward buying an extractor to clean firefighters’ gear.
• Interment fees for Cedar Grove Cemetery on South Henry Street increased for the first time since 1997.
• Robby Willey, co-owner of Virginia Beer Company, was appointed to the Williamsburg Economic Development Authority.
• Country artist Canaan Smith, a Lafayette High graduate, paid tribute to his roots with a free concert at Matoaka Amphitheatre ahead of the release of his debut album Bronco.
• On the same day longtime city manager Jack Tuttle retired, the city announced the hire of Marvin Collins III – an assistant city manager in Fort Myers – would take on the role. Earlier in the month, City Council honored Tuttle for his 24 years of service.

July

• The city instituted its new, curbside-only garbage pick-up policy, which replaced backyard and side-yard collection.
• Twenty-two sculptures by 12 different artists were installed in the City of Williamsburg’s Arts District – in the area where Richmond Road meets Lafayette Street.
• The Economic Development Authority re-elected Tom Gillman as its chairman. Bill Carr was reappointed as vice chairman.
• The first municipally operated electric vehicle charging station in the city was installed in the Prince George Parking garage in downtown Williamsburg.
• Once James City County officials decided they were not interested in jointly investing in a portable stage for the Arts District, the city’s Economic Development Authority put a proposal for one on hold.
• After more than 30 years with the City of Williamsburg Parks and Recreation Department, Lori Rierson retired from her position as director.

August

• Marvin Collins III began his role as city manager on Aug. 1.
• The Colonial Williamsburg received the approval of City Council to move forward with a plan to construct a musket range near the Golden Horseshoe golf course.
• The Williamsburg Fire Department moved forward with the purchase of a new fire truck for about $745,000.
• Tourism programs seeking support from the City of Williamsburg now must adhere to a new set of criteria and a new process to be considered by City Council.
• The Williamsburg Fire Department’s long-standing relationship with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation helped secure a $20,000 grant that gives its firefighters better training and new equipment.
• York County’s Economic Development Authority became the first in the Greater Williamsburg area to endorse an agreement to create a new regional EDA with James City County and the City of Williamsburg, both of whom later endorsed the same agreement.
• City Council members reaffirmed their commitment to forming redevelopment strategies at their summer retreat.
• Also at the retreat, council added developing a food truck policy and tweaking the city’s street entertainment ordinances to its list of priorities for staff this fiscal year.

September

• City staff drafted a request for proposals from consultants who want to conduct a study on the downtown parking situation.
• City Council had its first official peek at the ongoing construction of the Stryker Center during its September work session. The Stryker Center is slated to open to the public in January.
• The Windmill of Colonial Williamsburg made major strides toward completion, as the mill house was successfully lifted onto its post in its new location near Great Hopes Plantation.
• Chief David C. Sloggie was named the new president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
• The City of Williamsburg joined James City County and York County in launching their new business incubator. Launchpad, which aims to help entrepreneurs learn, network and develop their innovations, opened in a 4,800-square-foot space in James City County.
• Colonial Williamsburg introduced its first mascot, a Briard named Liberty, to the public. After her unveiling, the “Dogs of DoG Street” marched down Duke of Gloucester Street in her honor.
• The York-Poquoson-Williamsburg Regional 911 Emergency Communications Center shared the Governor’s Technology Award with the James City County Emergency Communications Center. The award recognized the CAD to CAD system, which allows the two centers to see call data simultaneously and dispatch the unit closest to the emergency.

October

• For the second time in its nearly 50-year history, An Occasion for the Arts was canceled. Planners said the decision was necessary in the face of the threat of severe flooding.
• Colonial Williamsburg submitted an application to the City of Williamsburg for a long-term special event license that would allow an ice skating rink on Duke of Gloucester Street for about three months. City Council approved the special event license that same week.
• The city put out a call for applicants interested in serving as one of its two appointed representatives on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board after Elise Emanuel decided not to seek appointment to a fourth term.
• Five of the area’s most iconic structures – the Governor’s Palace, Magazine, Courthouse of 1770, Capitol and Public Hospital – were lit up for the first time.
• Williamsburg Montessori School celebrated the opening of its new satellite campus on Richmond Road in the city.
• The City of Williamsburg again asked the Virginia Department of Transportation to offer funding help for a multiuse trail on Monticello Avenue to better connect with the College of William & Mary and James City County.
• After 10 years with the City of Williamsburg’s Parks and Recreation Department, Roberta “Robbi” Hutton took over as the department’s director.
• The City of Williamsburg and James City County’s joint application was not among Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s five selections for enterprise zone designations. Because the city saw the designation as a long shot, City Council added the creation of a redevelopment incentives plan “with or without enterprise zone approval” to its priority list during its August retreat.

November

• On Election Day, the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse had three key positions on the ballot, all of which were unopposed. WJCC Commonwealth’s Attorney Nate Green and WJCC Sheriff Bob Deeds were re-elected, while WJCC Circuit Court Clerk Mona Foley was elected to her first term.
• City residents played a part in re-electing Del. Monty Mason (D) and state Sen. John Miller (D) to the General Assembly.
• Williamsburg Regional Library was named a “star library” by the Library Journal for the eighth consecutive year.
• For the third year in a row, the City of Williamsburg was listed as one of the top digital cities in the country.
• The Williamsburg Police Department proposed the purchase of 32 body cameras. City staff, including the police chief, will work over the next few months to draft a policy for the body cameras for City Council’s consideration.
• The City of Williamsburg’s Department of Economic Development recently received an award – the 2015 Alli Award from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads – recognizing its work on the city’s burgeoning Arts District.
• Colonial Williamsburg’s ice skating rink, Liberty Ice Pavilion, opened to the public.

December

• The City of Williamsburg again applied to receive funding from the state for its street maintenance plans. If VDOT agrees to the fiscal 2017 revenue sharing plan, it will be the third consecutive year the city’s annual street paving will have received state help.
• Council members reaffirmed their interest in allowing food trucks beyond special events and asked city staff to gather data points to help ensure the city crafts a policy that will be successful.
• The 50th annual Christmas Parade marched through the downtown area. Playing on its milestone anniversary, the parade was themed “Our Golden Christmas” and featured floats that drew from themes of past parades. Click here to see the float winners.
• City Council chose from three applicants interested in joining the Williamsburg-James City County School Board, selecting Julie Hummel to fill the position. Hummel, the associate director of program development and innovation for the undergraduate business program at the College of William & Mary, had previously received the endorsement of outgoing school board member Elise Emanuel.
• City Council reappointed Demetrios Florakis and David Julien to the Planning Commission.