By Susan Larson
The week ahead in Fredericksburg, August 11 – 15, 2014.
MONDAY, Aug. 11
Economic Development Authority regular meeting, 8:30 – 11 a.m. at City Hall, 715 Princess Anne St. Read the agenda online.
$65,000 Pledged Toward Creation of Fredericksburg Coworking Space
By Susan Larson
Fredericksburg’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) pledged $65,000 toward the creation of a coworking office space downtown.
The pledge followed a presentation by Matt Armstrong, president of FredXchange, the nonprofit group that for the last year has spearheaded a initiative to bring a coworking space to the region.
Diamond Nation Asks City for $18 Million More Towards Stadium
By Susan Larson
Diamond Nation is asking the City of Fredericksburg to contribute $18 million more towards building a stadium complex to host the Hagerstown Suns and provide space for amateur baseball and softball camps and tournaments.
The total cost of the project originally had been estimated at about $25 – $30 million.
City Manager Bev Cameron made the announcement in an update to City Council during their August 12 meeting.
Butts Are Litter Too! Campaign
The Fredericksburg Clean and Green Commission is sponsoring its “Butts Are Litter, Too” campaign August 24 – 30, 2014. The commission wants residents and visitors to to be aware of the litter caused by cigarette butts.
City Considers Real Estate Tax Exemption for Diamond Nation Stadium Complex
By Susan Larson
Diamond Nation has requested a permanent real estate tax exemption from the City of Fredericksburg in exchange for a revenue share “in perpetuity” and the city’s investment of up to $26 million to build a baseball stadium and sports complex in Celebrate Virginia South.
The new terms came in a letter to City Council on August 21 from Diamond Nation owner Jack Cust.
Do Not Jeopardize Fredericksburg’s Future Financial Capabilities. Say No to Baseball.
An editorial by Fredericksburg resident Anne Little.
Editor’s Note: Read the comment at the end of the editorial for an opposing viewpoint.
Dear Friends:
Fredericksburg officials have been negotiating on a baseball stadium for over a year. The final negotiations last year resulted in a package that totaled $28 million dollars in cash, tax breaks and incentives to the Baseball Group (which is comprised of the former Hagerstown Suns and Diamond Nation) from the City.
City Council Votes to Continue Baseball Stadium Negotiations
By Susan Larson
Fredericksburg City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to continue negotiations with Diamond Nation for a stadium complex that would host the Hagerstown Suns and provide space for amateur baseball and softball camps and tournaments.
Photos: City Council Hears from Diamond Nation, Citizens
By Robert A. Martin and Susan Larson
Fredericksburg City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to continue negotiations with Diamond Nation for a stadium complex that would host the Hagerstown Suns and provide space for amateur baseball and softball camps and tournaments.
UMW Freezes Hiring in Response to State Budget Shortfall
By Susan Larson
University of Mary Washington (UMW) President Richard Hurley ordered a hiring freeze this week in light of the projected state budget shortfall of $2.4 billion over three years announced by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
City Council to Discuss Baseball Deal, Riverfront Park Design
City Council will meet in work session September 9 to review a final design for Riverfront Park. They will end their regular meeting in a session closed to the public to discuss ongoing negotiations with Diamond Nation for a baseball complex.
Following is the schedule for all city meetings this week.
MONDAY, Sept. 8
Patriot Day: ‘We Will Forever Remember’
By Susan Larson
Patriot Day, observed as the National Day of Service and Remembrance, occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the 2,977 who died at the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and in an open field in Shanksville, Pa.
Fredericksburg resident Allen P. Boyle and Stafford resident Martha M. Reszke died at the Pentagon.
River Road Closed for Chatham Work
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is restoring views to and from Chatham Manor, the Georgian-style mansion that served as a Union command post and military hospital during the Civil War.
“The vista of Fredericksburg from Chatham as seen in countless photographs over the past 150 years is one of the most famous views in the region,” a park official said. That view has been obstructed by the growth of trees and underbrush.
New Section of Staffordboro Blvd. Commuter Lot Opens Monday
Traffic will be transitioned to a new parking section in the Route 684 (Staffordboro Blvd.) Park & Ride in Stafford County beginning September 15, 2014. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recommends commuters leave a little earlier Monday because of the new layout.
Fredericksburg Releases New Map of City Parks and Trails
Fredericksburg’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities and Department of Economic Development and Tourism have collaborated on a new map of the city’s parks and trails.
The new, two-page map highlights 21 outdoor spaces, parks and trails as well as park features including picnic tables, playground equipment, fishing opportunities and more, city staff said. Page one features downtown locations. Page two includes Motts Run Reservoir and W. L. Harris and Dixon Parks.
New Crosswalk, Traffic Light Pattern at Blue & Gray Parkway, Lafayette
By Susan Larson
The traffic signals at Lafayette Boulevard and the Blue & Gray Parkway have been modified to accommodate pedestrians, runners and bicyclists using a new crosswalk at the intersection.
The crosswalk was added for the Virginia Central Railway Trail. Parts 1 and 2 of the trail open Saturday, Sept. 20. Users of the trail can now activate a crosswalk signal at the Blue & Gray Parkway, just west of Lafayette Boulevard. When the “Walk” light is on, all traffic across the crosswalk will be stopped.
The Week Ahead: City Meetings, Picnic in the Park, Shayla Rivera Lecture
The Week Ahead in Fredericksburg, September 22 – 26, 2014. Click the hyperlinks for details.
MONDAY, September 22
Mary Washington Healthcare is offering free prostate screenings from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the MWHC Regional Cancer Center, 1300 Hospital Dr., Suite 101, Fredericksburg. Call Health Link at 540-741-1404 to schedule your free appointment.
TUESDAY, September 23
Councilman Kelly to Recommend City Continue Baseball Negotiations
By Susan Larson
At their September 23 regular session meeting, Fredericksburg City Council will again take-up the issue of building a baseball stadium complex.
Fallen Marine Honored with Stafford Procession
By Susan Larson
Marine Sgt. Charles Strong will be honored with a procession through Stafford County on Tuesday, Sept. 23, when his body is escorted from Dover Air Force Base to Covenant Funeral Service in Stafford.
Sgt. Strong, a member of the Corps’ elite special command, was killed in Herat Province, Afghanistan, on September 15.
City Pledges Additional $2M, Accepts Diamond Nation Offer
By Susan Larson
Plans for a minor league baseball stadium and amateur sports complex in Fredericksburg were revived Tuesday, when City Council unanimously voted to accept Diamond Nation’s most recent offer.
“We’re essentially back to where we were a year ago,” Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw said.
City Manager Bev Cameron announced the offer before the meeting in an email to the press. He outlined the offer in three points:
Fredericksburg Unemployment Rate Up, Highest in Last Year
By Susan Larson
The civilian labor force unemployment rate in Fredericksburg is at 6.0 percent, according to August 2014 local unemployment statistics released October 1 by the Virginia Employment Commission. The number is not seasonally adjusted. It’s the highest unemployment rate for the city between July 2013 and August 2014.
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