Williamsburg Notebook: Road Closure, New Meeting Times and Bike to Work Day

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, May 13, 2011

Part of Quarterpath Road will be closed next week, and the city has approved a marketing study and new meeting times. Citizens can eat for free if they don’t drive to work on May 20, and are welcome to take a tour that will help them be ambassadors for the city. And finally, congrats are in order for Councilman Scott Foster, who will soon start his next job: law student. Read on for details.

A portion of Quarterpath Road will be closed until May 23.

Part of the road between Redoubt Park and the Quarterpath Crossing Shopping Center will be closed for road grading in preparation for the Run for the Dream 8K Run/Walk and Half-Marathon to be held on May 21 and 22.

For questions or more information, contact Public Works at (757) 220-6140.

City to Conduct Creative Economy Marketing Survey

Council approved the awarding of $42,500 to ArtSpace to conduct a study that will determine the need for live and/or work space for creative professionals in the city.

The city approved an arts district designation earlier this year, and the study will now find out what needs exist for creative professionals, according to Economic Development Director Michele DeWitt.

The study has four funding partners that plan to contribute $16,000 to the study cost; the Economic Development Authority and a sixth funding partner are also considering participation. DeWitt said it will be conducted in the fall, be web-based and will survey creative professionals from within a 50-mile radius.

Northeast Triangle Focus Group Hosts Public Meeting

The Northeast Triangle Focus Group is hosting a discussion on residential issues at a public meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. on May 17.

To learn more about the focus group and its work, click here. To share opinions or suggestions online, click here.

City Partners with Bicyclists for Bike to Work Day

The City of Williamsburg is teaming with the Williamsburg Area Bicyclists to provide lunch for everyone who bikes, walks, carpools or rides the bus to work in the city on May 20.

The luncheon will feature food from Qdoba and door prizes at noon at the Williamsburg Community Building. To attend, please RSVP by May 17 to BikeWalk@williamsburgva.gov.

Become a Williamsburg Ambassador

The city has arranged for residents to participate in the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism alliance’s Prepare Care Share tours of the area. The tours are one-day crash courses in the attractions in the area, focused on highlighting what’s new. The tours start at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center and stops include Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestown, Yorktown and the Yorktown Victory Center, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and more.

There is no cost to participate in the all-day program from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space is limited to eight spots on the following dates: May 18 and May 20. Contact Kate Hoving at 220-6197 or khoving@williamsburgva.gov or Jodi Lumley at 229-6511 or Lumley@williamsburgcc.com.

Council Work Sessions to Change Meeting Time

City Council voted unanimously to move work sessions from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays.

When he joined council, Scott Foster hoped to get meeting times changed to later hours to better accommodate residents who couldn’t attend the daytime meetings. As a compromise, council agreed to try meeting later for its Monday work sessions, but found that attendance didn’t improve.

“We gave it a good try, but the numbers aren’t there,” Foster said. “I probably liked this more than anybody and I still don’t like it.”

Councilman Will Pursue Law Degree

Foster, a 2010 William and Mary graduate, will be attending William and Mary Law School this fall.

Foster said Thursday he learned of his acceptance at the end of March. "I am really excited," he said. "This is a whole new set of firsts for me, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Foster said doesn't know what area of law he will concentrate on, but he plans to stay in Williamsburg to serve out his term and beyond.

Classes begin at the Law School at the end of August.