City of Winchester government offices and the Rec Center will not be closed on Friday, April 30, 2021. This closure was previously included in the City’s annual holiday schedule and informational calendar, but is no longer needed since the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival parade and other large events usually held in downtown and Jim Barnett Park are not being offered this year.
Beginning this weekend, the Winchester Parking Authority (WPA) will be installing new automated gate and payment equipment at the four downtown parking garages which will cause some lane closures and access restrictions (see schedule below). Replacing the current antiquated system has been planned for approximately two years, but placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Winchester has launched a community survey to gather input about the priorities and sentiments of residents for a 2021 update to the City’s Strategic Plan. Deadline to take the survey is April 30.
Survey questions will focus on the following topics:
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D5PCC5Q
Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021 and continuing through October (weather permitting), the City’s Utilities Division will be testing and flushing all of Winchester’s 1,300 fire hydrants as part of an annual maintenance program. The process of periodically “flushing” fire hydrants is an important preventive maintenance activity and is necessary to maintain a high quality and reliable water system. It is also helps make sure the fire hydrants are fully operational in the event of a fire.
This year, the City of Winchester, in partnership with RKG Associates, will complete a both city-wide Housing Study and Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy for the North End area. The target completion date is by December 31, 2021.
The housing study, requested by City Council in 2020, will include a review and/or analysis of the following:
The City of Winchester’s AAA general obligation bond rating has been affirmed for the fifth time by Standard & Poor's Rating Services (S&P). The AAA rating was first assigned on October 7, 2013 and is the highest credit rating that a locality can receive. Winchester is one of only eleven cities in Virginia to maintain a AAA rating from S&P.
On Friday, February 19, 2021, City offices and the Jim Barnett Park Rec Center will open at 10 am. WinTran routes will begin at 10:40 am. Trash collection on Friday is expected to occur but may be delayed.
Reminder: Today’s trash collection was moved to Saturday, February 20.
Due to the inclement weather expected to hit our area this week, trash collection on Thursday, February 11 has been moved to Wednesday, February 10. A decision about Friday’s collection schedule will be made on Thursday.
For updates and more information, please visit www.winchesterva.gov/storminformation.
In observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, February 15, 2021, the City will operate the following schedule.
The Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) is pleased to announce the promotion of Dustin Amtower from Master Technician to an Operational Lieutenant.
“I am very proud of the caliber of employees we have, and I am honored to be able to select Dustin for this position,” stated WFRD Interim Fire Chief Hadden Culp. “He is well prepared for the new responsibilities.”