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Montross Revitalization Plan

SUMMARY

Initiative to revitilize the downtown area of the Town of Montross.

 

ACTIVITY

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.