Tourism Development Grant Review Committee

AGENDA City of Williamsburg Tourism Development Grant Review Committee Monday, August 21, 2023 A meeting of the Tourism Development Grant Review Committee will be held Monday, August 21, 2023 at 401 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor Large Conference Room commencing at 3:00 PM. Page I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVE MINUTES A. TDGRC Minutes - July 24, 2023 2-3 IV. OPEN FORUM V. NEW BUSINESS A. Financial Projections - Barbara Dameron, Director of Finance B. Staff Recommendations - Joanna Skrabala, Tourism Development Specialist C. Discussion of Phase 2 Applications/Presentations VI. OPEN FORUM VII. 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 3  DRAFT Tourism Development Grant Review Committee Meeting Minutes The Tourism Development Grant Review Committee (TDGRC) met on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Williamsburg Community Building (401 N. Boundary Street). I. Call to Order Mr. Caracci called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM. II. Roll Call The following TDGRC members were present: Chris Caracci, Ron Kirkland, Craig Reeves, and Sally Wolfe. Cash Arehart arrived at 1:01 PM. The following TDGRC members were absent: Greg Granger (ex-officio Planning Commission rep). The following staff members were present: Joanna Skrabala (Tourism Development Specialist), Yuri Adams (Economic Development Director), Sarah Seward (Economic Development Administrative Coordinator), Barbara Dameron (Director of Finance), Robbi Hutton (Director of Parks & Recreation). III. Open Forum There were no comments at this time. IV. New Business a. 1:00 PM: First Baptist Church Vestibule Redesign, Connie Matthews Harshaw (Let Freedom Ring Foundation) Following the presentation, discussion included visitation to the Church; other renovations and improvements (installing new HVAC and electrical systems, digitizing projects); connecting to the City’s African American Heritage Trail and making is ADA accessible; and ensuring the Vestibule is open to the public with set hours. b. 1:30 PM: African American Heritage Trail, Michele Mixner DeWitt (City of Williamsburg) Following the presentation, discussion included the map of the Trail; the timeline for completion (a 2-year timeframe); additional funding; the length of the trail would be 2 miles; signage with QR codes and an identifying “breadcrumb” trail; collecting community input; hiring a historian; the City’s Public Works Department taking the lead on constructing the Trail; and marketing (Visit Williamsburg). c. 2:00 PM: Colonial Williamsburg Arrivals Center, Hazel Wong (Colonial Williamsburg) Following the presentation, discussion included improving CW visitation numbers (to pre-pandemic levels); Yorktown’s Princess Cruise Lines arrangement and excursions to CW; the primary directive of the Arrivals Center is to redirect buses; increasing project Page 2 of 3  DRAFT costs; additional funding (congressional spending grant and state budget); and a plan for opening in 2024. d. 2:30 PM: Williamsburg Entertainment Venue, Rick Hibbett (MEB) Following the presentation, discussion included MEB’s previous history with similar projects; developing both an indoor and outdoor space (i.e. separate spaces vs. a hybrid model); researching other venues that could work for Williamsburg; MEB’s financial recommendation of issuing municipal bonds and paying off debt service for a certain number of years; completing the project before 2026; studies and discussion with local arts organizations; seating capacity (depends on the selected model, but looking at about 800 for indoor seating and 3,000- 5,000 outdoor seating); concern for other big City projects and bandwidth (from the TDGRC); benefits to constructing at the same time as the sports complex; facility management; ample parking in Visitor Center; and conducting a traffic study. V. Approve Minutes a. July 10, 2023 Mr. Reeves made a motion to approve the July 2023 minutes and Mr. Arehart seconded. All approved. VI. Open Forum Community members spoke in support of the Williamsburg Entertainment Venue. Those members include Jon Martin (Virginia Arts Festival; Barbara Vollmer (Virginia Symphony, Williamsburg Area Arts Commission); Terry Murphy (Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra); and Allan Finger (Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra). VII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be August 14, 2023, 3:00 PM. Location to be determined. VIII. Adjourn. Mr. Caracci made a motion to adjourn, and Ms. Wolfe seconded. All approved and the meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM. Page 3 of 3