2008-12-09
Management Team Meeting in Montross
The Management Team received the official Vision
Report and discussed its findings.
The report suggested several steps to follow before
applying for a Planning Grant in early 2009.
To complete those steps, the Management Team reviewed
a proposal from the Clay Christensen Group to do the following in the
coming weeks:
- Conduct a series of interviews with key property
owners, and produce a summary assessment of key properties.
- Educate owners regarding financing resources,
and assess interest in participation
- Identify key traffic issues concerning the downtown's
revitalization in relation to VDOT's Master Plan.
- Coordinate analysis and provide recommendations
from an architectural historian.
- Explore local niche, regional resources, potential
partnerships, synergies and market opportunities.
The proposal was approved by the Management Team.
The rest of the meeting was used to discuss the opportunity
to extend Westmoreland County's Enterprise Zone area into the Town of
Montross.
The Management Team selected the parcels in the Town
that will be considered to become part of the EZone (subject to acreage
limitations). A revised map will be available later.
More information about the Enterprise Zone Program
can be found here.
TO DO list for the next week or two:
A building inventory to establish
the Town's vacancy rate, concentrating on the following:
- Commercial property. Location. Condition.
Square footage. Intended use. Permitted usage, etc.
- Blighted properties (in the physical and
economic sense).
2008-12-01
Management Team Meeting in Montross
Management Team members met to go over the results
from the Community Visioning Session held on 11/20/2008. After discussing
all the public input, the following Vision Statement emerged for the
Town's revitalization efforts:
VISION STATEMENT
Downtown Montross will be a unique, destination-driven,
dining, retail, and cultural center for the Northern Neck. Visitors
and residents will experience a planned, environmentally responsive
village atmosphere, complete with outdoor family recreation, entertainment
and lodging, local professional services, and unique Montross hospitality.
NEXT STEP
The Management Team will now work on actions and documents that will
help the Planning District Commission apply, on behalf of the Town,
for the next planning grant. Those actions and documents are:
1) A list of key properties in the downtown area,
with a map. Who are the investors? What are the development plans
for each property, if any?
2) A list of options for traffic enhancements that
support a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
3) Hire a historical consultant to make a Historic
Assessment of the Town. Find out if there is an opportunity for a
historical district in the downtown area.
4) A list of local Niche Opportunities. There may
be many opportunities that are appropriate for Montross. To produce
this Niche Opportunities List, answer these questions: What is going
to make someone drive here? What would be a unique draw?
5) A list of Local and Regional Resources, and
of partnerships. This would be an inventory of what is out there:
financial, leadership, businesses, etc.
6) Visit other towns that have gone through the
revitalization process.
7) Start the process of extending the Enterprise
Zone into the downtown area.
2008-11-20
Public meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Montross
Fire Department---a "Community Visioning Session" attended
by about 50 residents
The session was facilitated by Becky Clay Christensen
of the Clay
Christensen Group, and it consisted primarily in a series of questions
and answers to allow participants to contribute ideas regarding what
the Town of Montross should become around the year 2015:
Yes/No Questions:
"How many live in town?" About 35%-40%
raised their hands.
"How many work in town?" About 35%-40%
"How many went to school in Montross?" About 30%
"How many own a business in Montross?" About 30%
"How many are part of the Revitalization Management Team?"
About 35%
"How many raise or raised kids here?" About 35%
Other Questions:
"What can we celebrate about our downtown's
history?"
Answers: The Coca Cola plant . . . it's county seat . . . it's a
gateway to the northern neck . . . the historic courthouse, museum,
fall festival, Montross Inn, small-town heritage, hub for tourism,
outstanding small community, closest town to state park, multiple
generations that stay here, John Adams "slept here," peace
and quiet
and safety, one of the Lees was in jail here, library, people's
community bank, still have viable businesses here, patriotism,
geographic center of the county, local leaders now in public office
in
the Virginia Senate and U.S. Congress.
"What have been our continuing challenges?"
Answers: Empty buildings, keeping retail in town, length of town (too
spread out), not enough parking, variety of youth attractions, rural
economy has shifted, lack of employment, keeping the next generation
here, lack of enthusiasm for change, deterioration of buildings that
are here, age of water system, aging infrastructure, no diverse
businesses base, sewer system, drive-through town and not a
destination, not enough of a tax base, signage, apathy.
"What will we see in Downtown Montross in
2015?"
Spoken Answers: Well designed lighting and foot
traffic, more
businesses, handicap accessibility, safe parking, a comprehensive
plan
that will match with our rural economy, make the Northern Neck the
"Central Park" of Virginia, a green community.
Written answers (first round of cards): an upscale
restaurant, a
visitor center, small businesses that complement each other, specialty
shops, outdoor courtyard atmosphere, playgrounds and picnic areas,
general colonial theme, traffic-pattern light control (turning traffic
lights), event center, arts center or colony community (like the art
gallery in Kilmarnock, teaching art classes, etc.), slow speed limits.
Written answers (second round): a uniform look
(brick walks and street
lamps), organic farmer's market, environmental role model, good
shopping and restaurants, bike/walk trail, entertainment and
performing art center, seafood and farmer's market, overnight
accommodation (no Best Western), historical inns (B&Bs).
Topic Columns:
A = Retail and food
B = Culture (events center, etc.)
C = Bounty, Heritage
D = Accommodations
E = Architecture
F = Recreation
G = Green
H = Services
Written answers (third round): Youth family community
activities,
skateboard park, bowling and movie, bike trails, improved sidewalks,
urban park, welcoming center, medical facilities, landscaping,
family-oriented businesses, inexpensive youth activities, tree-lined
streets, antique mall, ergonomic community - green, historical
complex.
Each card was posted under the appropriate column.
Consensus statements:
Letter A = In 2015 we want to see . . . a viable
business community . . .
STATEMENT SELECTED: "Destination-driven, upscale restaurant and
retail
businesses."
Letter B = In 2015 we want to see . . . a recognized
cultural venue .
. . a culturally oriented community . . . A cultural center to
celebrate our cultural community.
STATEMENT SELECTED: "An entertainment and cultural events center."
Letter C = In 2015 we want to see . . . [this column
was done away
with. Its cards were moved to other columns]
Letter D = In 2015 we want to see . . . overnight
hospitality . . .
come stay with us . . . bed and breakfast . . . Virginia hospitality
.
. . Northern Neck overnight hospitality.
STATEMENT SELECTED: "Montross overnight hospitality."
Letter E = In 2015 we want to see . . . beautification
. . . Montross
makeover . . . a revitalized look . . . beautiful downtown . . .
historic ambiance . . . Montross beautiful . . . charming . . . quaint
downtown atmosphere . . . a welcoming downtown atmosphere . . . a
planned, cohesive architectural community . . . planned, cohesive,
striking village.
STATEMENT SELECTED: "A planned village atmosphere."
Letter F = In 2015 we want to see . . . outdoor
family recreation . .
. pedestrian.
STATEMENT SELECTED: "Outdoor family recreation."
Letter G = In 2015 we want to see . . .
STATEMENT SELECTED: "An environmentally responsible community."
Letter H = In 2015 we want to see . . . more medical
services . . .
more professional services . . . more services that facilitate
business and take care of our personal needs . . . family medical
center.
STATEMENT SELECTED: "Local professional health services."
"Which statement is the easiest to do?"
Answer: Planned village atmosphere.
"The most difficult?"
Answer: The cultural center.
"Which words posted on the board that resonated
to participants?"
Answers: culture, village, destination, hospitality.
"What do you think has worked for you tonight?"
Answer: consensus.
"Any surprises tonight?"
Answer: The interest in cultural and art centers. A pleasant surprise.
2008-11-05
The Town of Montross has received a planning
grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
to proceed with the "Community Visioning Session." The session
will take place on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at the
Montross Fire Department, 52 Rectory Road, Montross VA 22520. Phone:
(804) 493-9596. This is a public meeting. Printable flyer.
2008-09-24
Planning grant application submitted to the
Department of Housing and Community Development.
2008-09-17
Meeting at the Art of Coffee, Montross, Virginia,
at 6:30 p.m. The Management Team members and representatives from the
Department of Housing and Community Development and from the Northern
Neck Planning District Commission met to discuss requirements for the
planning grant application. Becky Christiansen, the consultant selected
to facilitate the visioning session, also attended.
2008-08-05
The RFP generated three proposals. Two firms were
interviewed, and the Selection Committee selected one of them.
2008-05-29
Meeting at The Art of Coffee, at 6 p.m. Presentation
by the Planning District Commission regarding the application process
for a downtown revitalization project: A facilitator will be hired through
a procurement process (RFP). Those who reply will be reviewed and one
selected by the designated Selection Committee:
1. Brenda Reamy
2. Jerry W. Davis
3. Leonard Carlson
4. Bryan Chandler
5. Larry Wheaton
2008-05-01
Kick-off meeting held.