Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

[briangauthier]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

Reading all these, I'm struck with an idea, albeit one of inexperience and ignorance.

What would it take to convince the developers of the hospital, housing, et al to instead develop some sort of visitors center nearby or instead make the battlefield more "marketable". Something like Pamplin Park maybe? It would not be as lucrative OBVIOUSLY, but it would be something they could develop in the area and still keep people happy. Now feel free to shoot this idea down as ludicrous. Thats what I'm here for. Bad ideas a plenty

Regards,

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

The October 14th meeting will concern part of the property- specifically a right of way issue. However there is no public review at this meeting. In fact Riverside is seeking to mitigate the loss of part of one of the redoubts. This is a second good move on their behalf, the first being the deeding of the two redoubts to the City. However the planned proposal still stands and it is now expected that the following planning commission meeting in November will consider the entire lot project. Thanks for all who have written in thus far, while participation has been very light for having close to one-thousand views. Exactly 11 people have responded. I suppose maybe if there was a comment about the expense of the Gettysburg Visitor Center we would have had more replies. Alas. If anyone else would like to pitch into this fight while there is still good time, good motives and obviously good graces on every side, now is the time. Again please PM me and we can discuss options.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

I hope that more people will cool down about flags and turn up their concern about the preservaion potential of the Williamsburg battlefield.

Despite what people may think the National Park Service and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation do not own the properties that Drew has informed our forum about.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

We have some more time to act now with the big meeting being pushed back to November. Few things have been submitted to newspapers but the more we push and write, the more that is published, the more publicity this will gain.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

At 3:30 this afternoon the planning commission will be voting on a consent agenda to approve part of the right of way for the residential development. (Which for our purposes is entirely within the core battlefield area) This is just one step in the entire approval of this development. Again I would like to encourage everyone to write the planning commission expressing their dismay. Please review the entire thread so that you are aware of the entire issue. We need to keep the pressure on as a community.

A good way to clarify whats happening today
Today they are talking about allowing a right away which would service all that residential growth and development on the smaller northern lot. (Entirely within the CORE) It will go around the earthwork which is good- however its a step towards allowing the residential development portion of Riversides little community atop the Williamsburg battlefield.

Writing only takes a few minutes and that simple act will have results.

Douglas Pons, Chairman
qpi@widomaker.com
Joe Hertzler, 1ST Vice Chairman
joe@hertzlergeorge.com
Elaine McBeth, 2ND Vice Chairman
esmcbe@wm.edu
Greg Ballentine
gnkballentine@gmail.com
Sean F. Driscoll
sean.driscoll@raymondjames.com
Jim Joseph
jasjoseph@verizon.net
William O. Kafes
marbilk@aol.com

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

I have composed my comments to the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Vice Chairwoman, and their fellow commissioners.

I hope that more folks will have a moment today to send word to these individuals to let them know that you also care about this proposed project.

[PieBoy96]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

Drew, I sent this email to all the members above. Hopefully this one can be won!

------------------------------

Sir,

I am writing in regard to the proposed development of two tracts of land located on the Williamsburg Battlefield. I have been observing and following the progression of this matter from afar, and with today's impending vote on the consent agenda to approve part of the right of way for the residential development, I felt this was the time to speak up against the proposal. I realize today's vote is just one step in the entire approval process of the development, but early votes against this will prevent a travesty in the Williamsburg area.

I don't feel that I need to tell you about the historical importance of the Williamsburg Battlefield – I'm sure you already know of the sacrifices made by both our Northern and Southern ancestors there. But imagine for a moment that this development was proposed for a different location: Normandy Beach. The World Trade Center. The Battle of Verdun. What if an Atlantic City-like development was proposed for Normandy Beach, where thousands of Allied troops gave their lives? What if a shopping mall and condos were proposed for the site of the Twin Towers? What if the remains of the trenches of Verdun were converted into a golf course? Ridiculous, right? Then why would Williamsburg approve the development of such important land when other tracts are available?

As an Architect, I know there is smart development and NOT smart development. Rather than erase what was to make way for the present, it is possible to incorporate both old and new in an effort to establish oneself within history. People need historic landmarks to establish their place in time, just as a traveller needs landmarks to determine his or her location on a highway. In Robert Newcomb's 1979 book entitled Planning the Past, he states "[The] recycling of historic relics within the urban context greatly interests planners and presents economic opportunities to modern cities. Threats to the urban patrimony originate with the processes of chance which characterize the modern city, and urban inhabitants need to be on guard to ensure that useful relics from the past are not sacrificed needlessly in the interests of urban renewal."

I hope that you will consider these ideas when voting about this development today and in the future. Remember, would you and Williamsburg vote to build a casino at Normandy?

Paul Boccadoro, Architect
[address]

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

For starters I wish this was Franklin.... lots of fired up preservationists out west.

Secondly for some bad news....

The Williamsburg Planning Commission approved the Right of Way at their meeting last Wednesday. They stated however that they received many e-mails from residents & non-residents who were concerned about the property. They stated that archaeology was being done and that they were happy that redoubt park was being saved. (This was done a number of years ago) While these are both positive they seem to be using redoubt park as the excuse to develop these acres and are essentially either ignoring or are ignorant to the archaeology being done there. This leaves us in the same place since my last update only with a little bit of a harder fight now that some infastructure has been approved. There will be two meetings in the future to discuss the property both should offer a public venue. First the Planning Commission meeting then the City Council who will render the final vote. Again please forward this onto any interested parties and Id be happy to add or subtract anyone from this e-mail list. Lastly editorials are going to help alot. If anyone is interested in doing so and would like more information on the issue please let me know. Newspaper editorials will help spread the word and get more people involved.

I cant stress enough to this community and forum that we are in a great position to stop this dead in the water, well before its too late.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

By Jen Garrott November 3, 2009

As students at the College of William and Mary, we all live in the “Historic Triangle.” Besides being college students, we are local residents and voters, and we have a vested interest in what goes on in Williamsburg. Currently, the Williamsburg Planning Commission is considering a project that will potentially develop 337 acres of land. A major portion of this property constitutes the core battlefield of the Battle of Williamsburg. Due to our close proximity to Colonial Williamsburg, local history outside of this time frame is often overlooked.

The Battle of Williamsburg was a Civil War battle fought as part of the Peninsula Campaign, the Federal drive on the Confederate capital of Richmond. On May 5, 1862, over 70,000 soldiers fought in Williamsburg. The 3,800 men who were killed or injured should not be forgotten. The July 2009 Civil War Sites Advisory Council of the National Parks Service designated this as “core battlefield property,” yet it is currently being considered for development.

The proposal was presented by Riverside Healthcare, which wants to build on 337 acres of property between Route 60, Quarterpath Road and Route 199. Their goal is to build: a 150-bed hospital, 200,000 square feet of medical office space, a 120-bed nursing home, 95 single-family dwellings, 397 senior and attached dwellings, 882 condominium and townhouse units, 202,000 square feet of office space and 400,000 square feet of space for a shopping center.

While the hospital and nursing home are worthy causes, not all options have been considered. If these two structures were built on the southern section of the lot, near the new Harris Teeter, they would be outside of the core battlefield. They would also provide a necessary service to the community, create the intended jobs and revenue, and still save a historically significant property.

A push to build more housing, office space and shopping, considering the current economy, seems misguided. Foreclosures and bankruptcy are still common, and there are still vacancies in current office and housing space. The burden of upkeep for the utilities and roads that would service these potential developments would fall on local residents. For those of you living off campus, this means higher local taxes.

As College students, we are a voice in local politics. We pride ourselves on being able to make a difference, so now is the time to act. The next meeting of the Williamsburg Planning Commission is Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the Stryker Building at 412 North Boundary St. Please go and voice your opinion. Also, join the “Save the Williamsburg Battlefield” Facebook group to show your support and to stay informed about new developments. If you are unable to attend the meeting, check the Facebook page for the names and e-mail addresses of the commission members. E-mailing only takes a few minutes and can have a great impact.

Locals have the ability to influence how and if this development is approved. It is our duty to preserve this historically significant land for future generations and to remember the sacrifices of those who made it important.

http://flathatnews.com/content/71966

- Side note- It should be said that the two November meetings appear as if they will not be discussing the development. More time, thats a good thing.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

One half mile to the east of Colonial Williamsburg is a killing field. On May 5, 1862, thousands of Americans shot, stabbed and killed one another in a driving rainstorm that left 3,843 soldiers dead, dying and bleeding. This same property — the site of the Battle of Williamsburg — has been designated by the July 2009 Civil War Sites Advisory Council (National Park Service) as "core battlefield" property, ground where combat occurred and casualties were sustained. Over this same ground a Riverside Health System development proposal stands to destroy the sacred vestiges of the battle as well as to increase strain on our local economy.

The proposal by Riverside includes combining two large pieces of property totaling 337 acres. The northern portion of property which is the smaller of the two lies completely within the core battlefield boundary. The southern portion is partially within the core battlefield boundary. Included in this proposal are more than 200,000 square feet of office space, 95 single-family homes, 882 condominium and townhouse units, and 400,000-plus square feet of shopping center in addition to a hospital and nursing home. These figures are taken directly from the preliminary plat.

There are a number of issues at stake here. Most prevalent are the custodial responsibilities of this rare and sacred national treasure by the decision makers, Riverside Health System and Williamsburg's Planning Commission and City Council. It is indisputable battlefield, ground that is as significant as Gettysburg, Iwo Jima or Ground Zero. Several books, continuing archaeology and this national delineation as "core battlefield" attest to the site's importance. Additionally, according to state reports, archaeology on these lots has produced very significant findings to suggest occupation by slaves and prehistoric natives.

The current economic climate regionally also calls for close examination of the project. While it is difficult to argue with the medical uses that bring a diversity of jobs and services, these nonmedical uses are superfluous and stand to hurt our local economy. Within this city, and regionally, you will find businesses, mixed-use communities, apartments and shopping centers in turmoil with vacancies and bankruptcy or other financial strife. Under-utilized developments and existing brown fields should illustrate that we have outstripped our demand for the same uses that are being proposed here. Using taxpayers' dollars to provide and maintain new utilities and infrastructure for a proposal which does nothing to promote sustainability of existing spaces is shortsighted.

To create a vibrant and strong local economy, we must accept policies and proposals that will strengthen existing businesses by providing smart infill, maximizing tax revenues and promoting reinvestment without stretching city services. Furthermore, a tourism-driven economy such as ours should not rely on one destination but a plethora that cater to diverse public interests. Open spaces also promote a physically active community, a higher property value and better quality of life.

The city of Williamsburg does have progressive administrators, and I would solicit them to consider a smart-growth plan concerning this Riverside project. With the vast majority of the two lots designated as national treasures and because most of the proposal contains unnecessary sprawling development that stands to hurt our existing businesses, I propose that the hospital and nursing home be approved in the bottom left-hand corner under Tutters Mill Pond with the remainder of historically significant properties being conserved for the benefit of local business owners, the city and the nation.

Gruber is a resident of Williamsburg. He has a bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College in historic preservation and is a master's candidate at Virginia Commonwealth University in urban and regional planning.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-op_gruber_battlefield_1115nov15,0,3672653.story

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

WILLIAMSBURG - City Council is set to vote Thursday on amended proffers to expedite building of a huge mixed-use development, beginning with construction of Williamsburg's second hospital.

Riverside Health Systems has been planning to build Quarterpath at Williamsburg, a medical campus, retail and residential space between Routes 60 and 199 across from the entrance to Kingsmill, since the proffers originally passed council muster in 2005.

So far, the company has poured about $6 million in road improvements at the intersection of Quarterpath Road and Route 199, as well as other public works projects at the site, but ground has yet to be broken on the proposed 40-bed hospital or the hundreds of residential units proposed.
Because of "unforeseen and extraordinary economic circumstances," Riverside is asking the city to change the proffers approved in 2005 for the project so that construction of the hospital can begin. City Council was introduced to the requested amendments during a work session Monday.

"We want to get started with the project as soon as possible," said Bill Downey, Riverside's chief operating officer. The changes proposed will allow the hospital to get under way with less infrastructure costs, allowing "infrastructure to go in this fall and the hospital breaking ground early next year," Downey said. Construction on the hospital should be complete by late 2012 or early 2013, he said.

The changes include a request that Riverside be given a waiver on all city taxes — except for real estate taxes — for the hospital and medical offices for 10 years after they are granted a certificate of occupancy.

Instead of having to complete Battery Boulevard, which will extend from Route 60 west to Quarterpath Road, before building the hospital, Riverside is asking that it be required only to build from Route 60 to the hospital until an established traffic threshold is met. The threshold is set at the capacity to serve the hospital, 200,000 square feet of medical offices, 250,000 square feet of additional non-residential space and 175 condominiums.

According to the proposed changes, Riverside then could not start any new construction until the remainder of Battery Boulevard is built. Furthermore, Riverside would be required to put 80 percent of the cash flow paid for leases on the land into escrow until the road is built.
"It is a major concern for the city that we take steps to make sure the street system is going to be built out in the way it was initially proffered." Reed Nester, the city's chief planner, told council members.

Because none of the changes affects the density or proposed conditions of use, a public hearing on the proposed changes is not required. The council meets Thursday at 2 p.m., in the Stryker Building, 401 N. Boundary St., Williamsburg.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_williamsburg-council_0apr06,0,1616986.story

For further information you can visit, "Save Williamsburg Battlefield" on Facebook, PM or E-mail me.

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

Riverside has gotten some proffer changes to help them begin in the "poor economic climate." However they (Riverside) does not expect the residential portion of the development to being for a number of years yet, or until the market turns around. This residential section is completely within the core battlefield boundaries. Lately they have said they will no longer include the nursing home. We are gaining ground everyday to work on a coalition of purchasers for the smaller lot. The Civil War Preservation Trust has included Williamsburg in the 15 "At Risk" sites.

WILLIAMSBURG — The nursing home has been scrapped next to Doctors Hospital of Williamsburg.

Bill Downey, executive vice president of Riverside Health System, blamed the recession. “We’ve seen a decline in use rates of nursing homes,” he said this week.

Just last month, City Council sweetened the pot for Riverside by easing infrastructure requirements and granting a break on all city taxes except real estate for the medical components.

Tracey Dowling, administrative director for real estate services, said Riverside has obtained a permit from VDOT for the hospital access road to enter where the old Whiting Funeral Home was located on Pocahontas Trail.

The hope is to get remaining permits approved by this summer to begin work on the road by the fall, in time for groundbreaking.

Civil War enthusiasts have complained that the mixed-use and medical campus will destroy remnants of the site of the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg. Last week the battlefield was declared “at-risk” by the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Diana LoVecchio, Riverside’s vice president of construction management and shared services, said she hopes to have construction on the hospital under way in early 2011.

Downey doesn’t think the recession has diminished the need for a second hospital. She acknowledged that the growth once projected in greater Williamsburg has cooled with the recession but asserted that a second hospital is still viable.

“Population growth has slowed, but everything we’re seeing in Williamsburg, James City and upper York County is that it will continue to grow even if it’s at a slower rate,” he said.

Downey also pointed out that part of Riverside’s intent with Doctors Hospital was to target the growing senior citizen population. “That [growth] continues unabated,” he said.

http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2010/05/22/news/doc4bf6ff8eaf307038603910.txt

[Busterbuttonboy]

Re: Williamsburg, A Call to Arms

A Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Podcast concerning the town during the Civil War.

http://history.org/media/podcasts.cfm