Focus Group Says City Arts District Feasible

By Desiree Parker Saturday, May 08, 2010

Williamsburg’s arts district focus group has finished its research and is recommending the city proceed with creating the district along Richmond Road and Lafayette Street.

The group looked at various areas of the city where such a district might work, and also hired a consultant group, Artspace, to do a survey to help find the most strategic area. The group settled on the area along Lafayette Street and Richmond Road, between Casey Field and Monticello Avenue, as having the most immediate potential to grow into an arts district.

“The task given the core group by Council and the EDA was to determine if it’s feasible to create an arts district, and the answer is a resounding ‘Yes,’ and the process should move forward,” said Mayor Jeanne Zeidler.  “When more than 200 people attended the public meeting with Artspace in March, it was evident this creative economy initiative was a concept that struck a chord not just with artists and cultural organizations, but across the entire community.”

The group looked at state legislation and city zoning, researched other arts districts in other communities, and got input from various stakeholders over the last several months to come to its decision. Read the report here.

The next step will be to bring the information to the Economic Development Authority next week, and to work on developing an arts and culture district ordinance that will help attract artists and related businesses through various economic incentives.

The group is also looking into details on investing in a market survey through Artspace.

The group will report to the EDA at its regular meeting Wednesday, May 12, and then to council on May 13.