Biennial THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 2023 2024
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THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 2023 - 2024 Biennial GOALS • INITIATIVES • OUTCOMES
CONTENTS TO ADVANCE
3 Purpose OUR CITY’S
VISION,
every two years the Williamsburg City Council identifies
4 Vision Statement & Goals new strategic initiatives for our city government. The
Williamsburg City Council and staff are excited to present
5 One Williamsburg the 2023 / 2024 Goals, Initiatives, and Outcomes.
6 Courageously Leading In 2020, the City of Williamsburg launched a new vision
statement that is meant to carry us through the next two
7 Innovating a Modern City decades. It is our vision for the Williamsburg of 2040, and
we will fulfill that vision with a strategic approach.
8 Prioritizing Safety and Wellness
Goals, Initiatives, and Outcomes (GIOs) provide an
9 Engaging with Our Partners
expression of priorities, as specific and measurable as
possible, and cover a two-year period. They are not
10 Connecting with the World
intended to be a comprehensive list of all city services
and activities. Instead, GIOs are a concrete, coordinated
expression of the City Council’s direction and focus.
2 3
VISION STATEMENT ONE WILLIAMSBURG
A welcoming city where all people who live, work, and visit have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of age, race,
One Williamsburg that is courageously leading, innovating a ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, religion, or gender identity. The culture of our city will promote a variety of
modern city, prioritizing safety and wellness, engaging with housing and employment options that welcome a diversity of backgrounds and opinions.
our partners, while connecting with the world.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL
Convene members of the Descendant Community and other City residents to advise on the content for the African
GOALS
American Heritage Trail; begin construction of Phase 1; and obtain funding for the remaining phases.
CDBG REHABILITATION GRANTS
Pursue the award of CDBG funding for residential improvements in neighborhoods, such as Highland Park, Wales,
One Williamsburg
and Crispus Attucks, to enable aging in place and to preserve affordable housing.
Courageously Leading
Innovating a Modern City DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
Prioritizing Safety and Wellness
Engaging with Our Partners Identify a lending partner to help the City establish a direct loan program that would assist income-qualified home-
Connecting with the World owners or homebuyers with home improvements and preservation projects in an effort to make housing more
affordable.
HOTEL-TO-AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONVERSION
Consider a revised and improved hotel-to-affordable housing conversion policy that may further convert
underperforming hotel properties to restricted affordable housing.
HOUSING NAVIGATION
Evaluate the addition of a housing coordinator position to better identify and secure housing options that serve as
emergency, transitional, and affordable housing for residents in need.
MIDDLE HOUSING
Consider necessary zoning amendments to enable the appropriate allowance for affordable accessory units and the
possibility of additional low-impact density to create entry- to middle-level housing opportunities in the expensive
Williamsburg market.
TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE PROJECTS
Finish the Truth & Reconciliation Committee Report and pursue two recommendations that can be accomplished
in the immediate term.
4 5
COURAGEOUSLY LEADING INNOVATING A MODERN CITY
A commitment to leadership that is willing to embrace change with compassion, innovation, and aspiration to The equitable enhancement and protection of our entire city’s natural beauty by respecting our past and building
serve and engage the community. Our creativity, professionalism, and ability to deliver results will be recognized as a our tomorrow. Our modern city will include attractive streetscapes, diverse housing and employment options,
national governance model. inviting public spaces, appropriately located infill redevelopment, and modern connectivity — all to position our
city so it can attract the next big opportunity.
CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION
CAPITOL LANDING ROAD
Develop the next sustainability ladder for organizational reduction of carbon emissions that includes public
education and implement at least two strategies from the ladder. Complete utility relocation, install new water main, and begin roadway improvements for the Capitol Landing
Road Corridor and intersection of Capitol Landing and Bypass roads.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
CITY SQUARE PLAN
Explore Pre-K opportunities in the City as well as before- and after-school childcare programs.
Develop a master plan for the continued redevelopment of City Square; demolish and relocate the police station
REIMAGINE K-12 EDUCATION and Public Works Yard; identify and secure additional office space for the growth of core services in the Municipal
Building; and initiate construction of a 21st-century library in City Square.
Consider alternatives to the traditional K-12 education model for improved pathways to higher education and
certificate programs through coordination with local institutions. DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY
SMART CITY INITIATIVES Complete a final evaluation of the 2018 Downtown Vibrancy Study, identify remaining implementation steps, and
make recommendations to City Council.
Deploy Smart City infrastructure to enable better data collection and policy development in service areas such as
parking, downtown trash collection, visitation, air quality, lighting, road conditions, and code enforcement. OUTDOOR DINING
GOLF CART COMMUNITY Convert the successful temporary outdoor dining program to a permanent solution that provides necessary flexi-
bility for restaurants and improves the aesthetics and function of the outdoor dining areas on Prince George Street.
Conduct a community conversation about transforming Williamsburg into a safe and sustainable golf cart
community, as well as draft program guidelines and necessary ordinances for City Council’s consideration. PUBLIC ART
Direct the Williamsburg Public Art Council to pursue a downtown fountain feature to serve as an anchor for a
children’s park and to complete the plan for a lantern art piece to designate gateway entrances to the City.
RESEARCH VILLAGE
Identify and secure an appropriate site for a mixed-use development that includes a technology focus with research
and development, housing, and light commercial spaces.
SIGNATURE EVENT
Find the best partner to design and launch a signature event that builds on the existing City brand as a world-class
destination.
YEAR-ROUND EVENTS
Attract regional visitation by partnering with the best possible vendor to provide year-round events that are diverse,
exciting, and add to the quality of life for residents and businesses.
6 7
PRIORITIZING SAFETY & WELLNESS ENGAGING WITH OUR PARTNERS
Targeted services that support, improve, and sustain individual health and community safety. Our city will Collaborations that re-energize and reimagine relationships with our partners that result in mutual success. The
proactively address public safety and social health by daring to be creative in our practices as we address homelessness city will leverage our position in the middle of the evolving Hampton Roads / Richmond Mega Region, establish
and racial equity, as well as pursue a robust parks and recreation system that reimagines the use of green space. future priorities with William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and explore other partnership
opportunities. The city will maximize strategic partnerships with James City and York counties, as well as expand
our partner base to reinforce our national prominence and top-tier brand.
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Expand the City’s employee wellness program to incentivize preventive health measures, provide robust mental
CEDAR GROVE CEMETERY
health support, and offer rewards for employee well-being.
Complete negotiations with William & Mary to acquire property for the expansion of Cedar Grove Cemetery to
ENHANCE EXISTING PARK FACILITIES meet 92 years of demand.
Begin the implementation phase of the comprehensive enhancements plan for the City’s Parks & Recreation
LEVERAGE EXTERNAL FUNDING
facilities to boost visitation by constructing public restrooms at Quarterpath Park and installing industrial dog
agility equipment at Waller Mill Dog Park. Improve organizational coordination of state, federal and private sector funding opportunities to augment City
funds for project implementation.
FOOD TRUCK POLICY
PHOTO HISTORY
Evaluate the existing food truck policies to streamline the inspection process while continuing to safeguard the
public interest. Work to identify the proper partners to serve as archivists and curators of a rotating photo history display and launch
an inaugural exhibition.
MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE
REGIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Deploy and augment state opioid settlement funds as needed to implement Marcus Alert and One Mind protocols
while seeking next-generation community support programs. Begin construction of a regional sports center and initiate a secondary development opportunity, such as an
amphitheater, indoor performing arts center, or aquatic center.
PARKS & RECREATION ADA IMPROVEMENTS
RENT READY
Continue to implement changes at public parks and facilities to improve access and use in compliance with the
Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA), including path and walkway improvements for spectators and participants at Complete initial draft of the Williamsburg Rent Ready program guidelines to include a model lease, landlord-renter
Kiwanis and Quarterpath parks. curriculum and ordinance for approval and adoption by the City Council.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS TOWN/GOWN REPORT
Identify locations for new public restrooms and construct two new public restroom sites. Collaborate with William & Mary administration to develop an initial annual Town/Gown Report to highlight
yearly cooperative efforts and student impacts in the community.
8 9CONNECTING WITH THE WORLD
Leverage our strategic location on the Interstate 64 corridor to our economic advantage by expanding technology
and infrastructure and ensuring the daily mobility of our residents and visitors.
15-MINUTE CITY
Require Williamsburg Area Transit Authority to convert the Colonial Williamsburg shuttle route into a combined
urban core route that connects the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, Historic Area, and Transit Center with
the Monticello commercial corridor, including pharmacies, grocery stores, and general shopping areas, using a
15-minute frequency and electric bus infrastructure.
BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICA TRAIL
Create connections to the future Birthplace of America Trail within the City to include completing the design of
and obtaining the funding for Phase 2 of the College Woods Circuit, as well as finding ways to use the Carter’s
Grove Country Road as the multiuse trail’s exit toward Fort Monroe.
BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS
Inventory the bus stops in the city; identify the needed improvements to provide each stop with a defined standard
level of service, including a shelter and trash can; and improve 70% of stops to the new standard of service.
BUS TECHNOLOGY
Create a joint committee with Williamsburg Area Transit Authority to benchmark best-in-class route, arrival, and
real-time bus tracking technology and to design and implement the new platform.
INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Support the continued expansion of broadband providers to improve pricing, availability, and speed while seeking an
appropriate solution to provide internet connectivity as a next-generation public utility.
The Williamsburg City Council adopted the 2023/2024
MEGA REGION
Goals, Initiatives, and Outcomes (GIOs) on Nov. 10, 2022.
Establish a position for Williamsburg with the RVA757 Connects Board of Directors in full support of the
megaregion concept and the success of the Board’s vision to “improve the economic success and quality of life for
Follow along with the progress at williamsburgva.gov/dashboards.
everyone in the RVA and 757 regions.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
The City Manager’s Office
Municipal Building
401 Lafayette St.
Williamsburg, VA 23185
citymanager@williamsburgva.gov
757.220.6100
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