Town and Gown Committee

Town and Gown Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Lawson Conference Room, 8th Floor City Hall Attendees: Ann Bane, Jimmy Cerracchio, Novelle Dickenson, Mary Fugere, Evelyn Graham, Tracy Hanger, Steven Lynch, Rodenna Kirksey, James “Pete” Peterson, Pamela Richardson, Chad Smith, Toni Williams, and Brenda Bailey (recorder) Guest attendees: Taryn D. Boone, Director, Office of Auxiliary Enterprises-Hampton University, Robin McCormick, Communications Strategist-City of Hampton Marketing and Outreach, and Selene Guerrero, Marketing Outreach Manager-City of Hampton Marketing and Outreach Chair Dickenson announced the passing of two family members (his mother and his sister) in the past two weeks. I. Call to Order – Chair Dickenson called the meeting to order at 12:11 p.m. II. Roll Call III. Approve November 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes – The meeting minutes were unanimously approved as presented. IV. Review Town & Gown Committee By-Laws – The review of the Committee By-Laws was tabled to the March 13th meeting. V. Hampton University 150th Anniversary Gala – Evelyn Graham distributed a flyer and announced the Anniversary Gala will be held 6-11 pm Saturday, April 28, 2018 in the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The official anniversary date and founding of the University is April 1. Evelyn can be reached at her desk #727-5356 for any questions from committee members about this event. VI. Hampton University Founding Day April 1, 2018 – Anzell Harrell was not in attendance. Evelyn Graham announced the Founding Day Celebration will take place from 10-11a Sunday, April 1 in Hampton University Chapel; events will include presentation by key note speakers and students. VII. Strategic Direction Subcommittees Goals & Objectives Update – Chair Dickenson provided a brief explanation that subcommittees were formed for strategic planning purposes. Communication/Community Education – Chad Smith delivered an overview of the proposed Town & Gown Committee page on the City website and sought Committee input resulting in the following recommendations: -change Thomas Nelson to full name of Thomas Nelson Community College -replace Subcommittee meeting notes with identified goals and objectives -add a quick link for Partnership for a New Phoebus website Chad advised the next Communications/Community Education Subcommittee meeting will be held on February 27 and invited all interested Town & Gown Committee members. Community Outreach – Bill Thomas was not in attendance.  Economic Development/Student Retention – Steve Lynch will provide an update at the March th 13 meeting.  Key Updates Since the November 14, 2017 Town & Gown Committee Meeting Jimmy announced Taryn Boone attended the Downtown Merchant Meeting on February 7; these meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 830a in the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership Office in the Maritime Center; the mural committee will be conducting an artist call in March for three murals on downtown buildings; The Vanguard is now open at King Street and Pembroke Avenue; Sal’s Pizza will open in the former Papa Ciccio’s location on Franklin Street sometime in March; Brandy Fertitta will open “Baked” in the former LaBodega space; Carousel Park improvements continue to progress; Hampton Restaurant Week will take place March 4-10. Mary stated the Hampton University Anniversary edition of the Hampton Visitor’s Guide is now available at all welcome centers in Virginia and free upon request from the Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau (HCVB); The American Theater calendar is packed full of exciting events; Hampton Roads Convention Center will feature the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival February 22-25; HCVB staff interviewed ad agencies and will announce the agency selected to provide 2019 Commemoration alliances advertising; Association of African American Museums (AAAM) 2018 AAAM Annual Conference will take place August 5-18 at the Embassy Suites in Hampton; Boo Williams Sportsplex will host the Virginia High School League (VHSL) at the end of May 2018. Toni announced the Partnership for a New Phoebus Office has moved to the 2nd floor of 37 E. Mellen Street, above Palace Jewelers; Phoebus Spring Fling will take place 10a-5p Saturday, April 21st, get more information at phoebusvaevents.com; Sly Clyde Cidery has received a ferment permit and hope to be open in March; Fullers Raw Bar is still in construction phases; Mango Mango Bistro has added celebrity Executive Chef Chanda Clark to their staff. Rodenna advised Thomas Nelson Community College has launched its 50th Anniversary landing page on their website featuring planned anniversary events. Robin advised committee members that Marketing and Outreach staff can manually add events to publicize on the City of Hampton calendar; the department is also seeking Round Robin interview participants. *Robin will add the March 14-16 Annual Conference on the Black Family to the City calendar. Chad distributed flyers for the Thomas Nelson Community College basketball and Homecoming 2018 schedules and the Black Men Collegiate Conversation taking place 8:30a-1:30p on February 17, 2018. Evelyn distributed the Easter by-the-Bay egg-stravaganza flyer at the Strawberry Banks on Saturday, March 31 from 12noon – 3:00pm. *Brenda will email the flyer to committee members and add the event to the City of Hampton calendar. Pamela announced Pirates Basketball Faith & Family Night/Pink Night on Monday, February 19 vs. Savannah State University featuring Academic Night where Dean’s List student athletes will be recognized before the 5pm Ladies game to be followed by the Men’s game at 7pm in the Convocation Center; Saturday, February 17 HU will host Black Out/Caribbean Night with $5 tickets for first responders, military, Huntington Ingalls and VA Hospital employees to attend the game against S. Carolina State Bulldogs, Lady Pirates play at 4pm, Pirates play at 6pm; effective July 1, 2018 Hampton University joins the Big South Conference after 22 years with  the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC); the Men’s Lacrosse team will play University of the District of Columbia at 1pm Friday, February 23. Steve provided the following statistics from the 2nd Annual Job Fair that took place February 6th: The department hosted its second annual job fair on Tuesday, February 6th. A total of 104 exhibitors participated representing 92 employers, 8 resource partners, 4 education partners. It was attended by 2,301 job seekers, 1,835 or 79.7% are Hampton residents. Staff is acquiring additional statistical data and information from the participants to further evaluate the success of the event; Craig Davis Properties closed on a purchase of 11-acres in Hampton Roads Center North to be developed into a 300-unit market rate complex named Lumen Apartments with an 18-month build-out; Daniel Aston with Whitmore Company will develop an apartment and townhome gated community with 162 market rate units renting for $1300 and up on the Maida site in Phoebus intended to attract millennials. Pete announced Jack Ezell has been incubating the millennial-centric J&F Alliance at Ezell Technologies. In a meeting with the entrepreneurs and city staff, it was evident that it’s critical to retain the student population within our economic system because if they move on, they will not return to the area. Economic Development would like to engage local students in roundtable discussions. The City has purchased the Boo Williams Sportsplex which will still be operated by Boo Williams. Construction has begun on a home store retail pad, apartments and a hotel at Peninsula Town Center (PTC). The Crowne Plaza will be renovated into an upscale “Tapestry Collection” brand by Hilton Hotels. VIII. Next Meeting: March 13, 2018 IX. Adjournment - There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.