Tourism Development Grant Review Committee

AGENDA City of Williamsburg Tourism Development Grant Review Committee Monday, July 10, 2023 A meeting of the Tourism Development Grant Review Committee will be held Monday, July 10, 2023 at Stryker Center (Room 127), 412 N Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 commencing at 2:00 PM. Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVE MINUTES a. April 3, 2023 2-5 IV. OPEN FORUM V. STAFF REPORT a. FY24 TDGRC Roster VI. NEW BUSINESS a. Review and Discussion of TDF Phase 2 Applications 6 b. Presentations Schedule VII. OPEN FORUM VIII. NEXT MEETING IX. ADJOURN The purpose of the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is to increase patronage to restaurants, attractions, hotels, and events in the City of Williamsburg through financial assistance and reinvestment in tourism products, place-making projects, special events, public-private partnerships, and destination marketing. Page 1 of 6  DRAFT Tourism Development Grant Review Committee Meeting Minutes The Tourism Development Grant Review Committee (TDGRC) met on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 2:30 PM at the Municipal Building (401 Lafayette Street), 2nd Floor Large Conference Room. I. Call to Order Chair Caracci called the meeting to order at 2:31 PM. II. Roll Call The following TDGRC members were present: Cash Arehart, Chris Caracci, Ron Kirkland, Sally Wolfe, and Greg Granger. Craig Reeves and Adam Steely arrived at 2:37 PM. The following TDGRC members were absent: None The following staff members were present: Joanna Skrabala (Tourism Development Specialist) and Sarah Seward (Economic Development Administrative Coordinator). III. Approve Minutes a. November 14, 2022 Minutes Mr. Kirkland, seconded by Ms. Wolfe, motioned to approve the November 14, 2022 minutes. Approved by all. IV. New Business a. Review of Phase 1 Applications Review Colonial Williamsburg Arrivals Center This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: None Undecided: None The Historic First Baptist Church Heritage Center The This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: None Undecided: None Muscarelle Museum of Art- Landscaping/Exterior Features Page 2 of 6  DRAFT The Muscarelle Museum of art would like to make exterior improvements such as adding benches and landscaping. Mr. Caracci asked the committee to consider the greater appeal for visitors. This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Wolfe Nays: Kirkland, Reeves Undecided: None Portable Dance Floor for Events The committee decided that there needed to be more information regarding this project, as well as a proof of concept. Ms. Skrabala said that she will contact the applicant for further discussion. This application will move forward to Phase 2 provided the applicant can modify their request. Ayes: Wolfe Nays: Caracci, Kirkland Undecided: Arehart, Reeves Stryker Center Gallery Enhancements The committee discussed the Stryker Center Gallery enhancements. Mr. Caracci noted the popularity of the outside space. Mr. Arehart emphasized the growing popularity of this area. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: Wolfe Undecided: None Wayfinding- Phase 4 The committee discussed the lantern locations and would like more details. This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: None Undecided: None Wayfinding- Phases 2 & 3 Wayfinding and parking were discussed due to the anticipated traffic from the excursion buses departing Princess Anne cruise ships. This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: None Undecided: None African American Heritage Trail This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Page 3 of 6  DRAFT Nays: None Undecided: None Feasibility Study for a Williamsburg Cultural Arts Center Ms. Skrabala said that she will introduce Pat Rublein and Rick Hibbett (MEB, Williamsburg Entertainment Venue applicant) so that they can work together. The concern from the Williamsburg Cultural Arts Center is that the Amphitheater would be strictly outdoors; however, it can be customized. Ayes: Arehart, Caracci, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: None Undecided: Kirkland Williamsburg Entertainment Venue Ms. Skrabala reiterated that she will introduce Ms. Rublein and Mrs. Hibbett so that they can work together. This application will move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Nays: Arehart, Caracci Undecided: None Glazing Windows and Doors The applicant did not meet the requirements to apply. This application will not move forward to Phase 2. Ayes: None Nays: Arehart, Caracci, Kirkland, Reeves, Wolfe Undecided: None b. Review of Phase 2 Scoresheet The committee reviewed the score sheet and are happy with the layout. c. Review of Phase 2 Application Forms and Timeline Mr. Steely suggested that the questions for the Phase 2 application be reworded to be more applicant friendly. Mr. Kirkland suggested an ROI. Mr. Arehart suggested asking people in 100 words or less to explain why allocating these funds to your project would be a good investment for the city. Mr. Steely suggested to rid of open-ended questions. Mr. Caracci asked Ms. Skrabala if he can make edits to the Phase 2 application form. Ms. Skrabala said that the Phase 2 application will be going live April 12. Page 4 of 6  DRAFT Ms. Skrabala reviewed the timeline for Phase 2 applications. Mr. Steely proposed that there be one day of applicant presentations. It was suggested that presentations should occur in August. I. Open Forum There were no comments during the open forum. V. Next Meeting Monday, July 10, 2023, at 3:00 PM at the Municipal Building (401 Lafayette Street), 2nd Floor Large Conference Room. VI. Adjourn Mr. Arehart, seconded by Mr. Reeves, motioned to adjourn the meeting at 4:06 PM. Page 5 of 6  2023 Tourism Development Fund Phase 2 Applications - Summary Funding Total Project Project Name Applicant Contact Name Category FY24 Request Request Cost Colonial Williamsburg Arrivals Center Colonial Williamsburg Hazel Wong Infrastructure for $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 6,200,558 The Historic First Baptist Church Let Freedom Ring Connie Matthews Tourism Product $ 250,000 $ 250,000 $ 316,239 Heritage Center Foundation Harshaw Muscarelle Museum of Art - Muscarelle Museum David Brashear Infrastructure for $ 60,000 $ 60,000 $ 43,800,000 Landscaping/Exterior Features of Art Tourism Product Stryker Center Gallery Enhancements Williamsburg Regional Sandra Towers Tourism Product $ 35,000 $ 35,000 $ 45,559 Library Wayfinding - Phase 4 Williamsburg Public Joanna Skrabala/ Placemaking $ 300,000 $ 300,000 $ 400,000 Art Council Robert Currie Wayfinding - Phases 2 & 3 Williamsburg Yuri Adams/ Adria Infrastructure for $ 425,000 $ 425,000 $ 425,000 Economic Vanhoozier Tourism Product Development Authority African American Heritage Trail City of Williamsburg Michele DeWitt Tourism Product $ 441,900 $ 316,900 $ 2,157,350 Williamsburg Entertainment Venue MEB Rick Hibbett Tourism Product $ 33,000,000 $ 1,750,000 $ 34,700,000 TOTAL $ 35,511,900 $ 4,136,900 DID NOT RETURN FOR PHASE 2 Portable Dance Floor for Events A Step Above Dance Alan Hedgpeth/ Tourism Product $ 120,000 - $ 120,000 Studio Lizbeth Rutgers Feasability Study for a Williamsburg Williamsburg Cultural Patricia Rublein Infrastructure for $ 250,000 - $ 250,000 Cultural Arts Center Arts Center Tourism Product Glazing Windows & Doors Glazing Windows & Jorge Gonzalez Placemaking $ 45,000 - $ 46,000 Doors Page 6 of 6