The city of Williamsburg’s draft legislative agenda for 2022 prioritizes the building and operation of a regional sports facility with a plea to make up the funding gap to widen Interstate 64 between the city and Richmond in second place.
Assistant City Manager Michele Mixner DeWitt presented the draft 2022 legislation agenda to be presented to state legislators in a report to the City Council work session Monday.
DeWitt said funds currently go to the Tourism Alliance for allocation. The proposal to the state would amend the Code of Virginia to give annual funding of $126,000 to the Tourism Council, $402,000 to the Business Council, and $1.45 million to the soon-to-be-created Historic Triangle Recreational Authority to be used as a match for Williamsburg’s annual debt service payment for the construction of a regional sports facility. The HTRA is being set up to build and oversee the new sports facility.
“This legislation does not intend to reduce the funding dedicated by the subject localities to regional tourism promotion and product development,” DeWitt’s report stated. “The subject localities shall annually allocate a total sum of $1,978,600 (City of Williamsburg Contribution $800,000, James City County Contribution $740,000, and York County Contribution $438,600).”
DeWitt pointed out the regional sports facility is a partnership with York County and James City County and the city has talked with its neighbors about setting up a body that would build and operate the facility “to the benefit of the entire region.”
City Manager Andrew Trivette said the legislative amendment would not change dollar amounts. It would specify where the money will go and for what purposes.
Councilwoman Barbara Ramsey pointed out the legislative change would not involve the additional collection of funds from residents for the sports complex.
The draft legislative agenda’s second priority is a plea for I-64 widening funds, after the money for additional lanes on the interstate ran out.
“There’s an area of Interstate 64 between the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and the Richmond metropolitan area that needs to be widened as part of the 64 widening project,” DeWitt said.
“We had hoped in the past couple of years that the spending had been obtained, but it has not. It’s about a $600 million project,” she said.
DeWitt said the city is working with Hampton Roads to seek additional federal funding to help make up the shortfall.
“The funds were not enough and were probably used on other parts of I-64,” DeWitt said.
The third priority on the draft legislative agenda is to widen the Virginia Communications Sales and Use taxes to include audio and video streaming services and prepaid calling cards.
The three local authorities have identified a preferred location for the sports facility on the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center property. The proposed complex aims to foster sports tourism in the Historic Triangle. It has been discussed since 2014. The city will hold further meetings and forums with local legislators before it finalizes its 2022 legislative agenda.
David Macaulay, davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
