Inside This Issue
Meeting Schedule
Thursday, April 24
Parking Authority
7:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Tree Commission
4:00 p.m.
City Yards, 301 E. Cork Street
Monday, April 28
Parks & Recreation Board
7:00 p.m.
War Memorial Building
Monday, May 5
Health, Education & Welfare Council Committee
7:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Wednesday, May 7
Planning & Development
7:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Upcoming Events
Wine & Fine Art Festival
Friday, April 25
2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 26
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Old Town Mall
Doo Dah Day
Saturday, April 26
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Jim Barnett Park
81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
Tuesday, April 29 - Sunday, May 4
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Show
Saturday, May 10
Old Town Mall
Double Duty!
City Manager, Brannon Godfrey, works the switchboard during the City's Administrative Professional's Day.
Links
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Improvements Underway at Douglass Park
Work began at Douglass Park (behind Douglass Learning Center on North Kent Street) on March 31. W-L Construction is installing 1/3 mile of asphalt trail, repairing sidewalks, refurbishing the baseball field, planting trees, and resurfacing the basketball courts. Following the completion of these projects, park staff and community volunteers will install new park benches, picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, basketball goals, soccer and football goals, kiosks, bike racks, and dog mitt stations. A dedication ceremony is planned for late-summer 2008. This project is funded from the City's Community Development Block Grant, a developer’s contribution, and the park fund.
Road and Streetscape Enhancements
Sidewalks on Liberty Avenue between North Kent and Smithfield will soon receive a face lift thanks to Community Development Block Grant funds. If funds remain upon completion of Liberty, Kern Street between North Kent and Highland will also receive improvements. The City's Public Works Department recently purchased a concrete planer which will enable the Streets Team to plane uneven sidewalks which will increase the sidewalk's longevity, thus saving the City money. Last week, the City's Streets Team installed rubber sidewalks as needed on Ewell Street while also repairing potholes on Piccadilly Street and Seldon Drive. Eight trees were also planted through the Municipal Tree Restoration Project with four being planted on Piccadilly and four on Millwood.
Another Milestone for Old Town
On March 21, Old Town Development Board and the City were presented with a Virginia Main Street Milestone Achievement Award for $45 million in private investment contributed toward downtown revitalization since 1985. The Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts. Virginia Main Street uses the National Main Street model to help communities revitalize their downtowns by focusing on their unique heritage and attributes. The program helps communities implement a comprehensive revitalization strategy that creates economic growth and pride in downtowns. Currently, there are 21 designated Virginia Main Street communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Real Estate Reassessments in Progress
The City has a multi-year contract with Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal Company of Staunton to perform a general reassessment of all real estate within the city on a two year cycle. The appraisers are currently visiting properties within the city. Once the field work is complete (fall 2008), each property owner will receive a change of assessment notice by mail indicating the new proposed values. Property owners will then have the opportunity to make an appointment to meet with the Board of Assessors to discuss the values.
City to Conduct a Citizen Satisfaction Survey
Beginning this summer, the City will be conducting a random citizen survey to help determine how the public feels about City services. The survey will be conducted via phone or mail by ETC Institute of Olathe, Kansas and paid for entirely by remaining brownfields grant funds ($20,000). Winchester residents (sample size: 1,800) will be contacted to complete the fifteen-minute survey which is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2008. An online option will also be available.
City Experiencing Three Stages of Renovations
The City is currently experiencing several stages of major renovation at three historic buildings in and around the downtown area. These buildings include the George Washington Hotel on North Cameron Street; the former Taylor Hotel on the Old Town Mall; and the vacant Coca-Cola plant on Valley Avenue. The George Washington Hotel has been undergoing drastic renovations since 2006 and is expected to open its doors on April 30. The former Taylor Hotel is also experiencing new life after it collapsed last October. Construction has begun and the new building will include condos and offices on the upper floors and retail space on the ground floor. The Coca-Cola plant is the next historical building to get a face lift. Construction should begin soon to transform the plant into an office building.
Winchester Named 19th Best
Forbes .com named Winchester the 19th (out of 179) "Best Small Place for Business and Careers" in an article posted March 19, 2008. The only other Virginia cities listed in the top 25 were Charlottesville (#9) and Blacksburg (#10). Full Story
International Children's Festival
The City of Winchester is currently planning a fun and educational International Children's Festival to be held in the fall of 2009. In order to make it a celebration to remember, the community is invited to get involved. Cultural entertainers and groups interested in educating the kids about their country of origin are greatly needed. Volunteer opportunities for all ages will also be available. For more information:
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