Politics & Government

City Council Moves Ahead with Riverfront Park Planning

City Council compromised on a plan to produce a concept design for the park on Sophia Street.

After months of wrangling, City Council voted 6-1 for a compromise plan to obtain a concept design for Riverfront Park. 

Council member Brad Ellis (Ward 1) proposed the compromise, based on a memo from Councilor Matt Kelly (At-Large) requesting the city save money by performing in-house some of the preparation for the concept design instead of assigning it all to the design firm.

The approved compromise plan divides the process into two phases.  Phase one will consist of Councilor Kelly's recommendations:

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"That council direct staff to take the following actions that will be needed to be completed before any riverfront plan is implemented:

1. Move forward to complete the survey on the site.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

2. Complete archaeological survey of site (or update 1981 archaeological survey) if possible. (First Choice is using considerable park land area for construction staging through 2015).

3. Secure Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Architectural Review Board (ARB) for demolition of lodge building.

4. Combine the current (9) lots of the project area into a single lot.

5. Identify potential funding sources or options to finance the park project exclusive of general funds.

6. With the information obtained above have appropriate staff prepares a public presentation to council on the findings as well as the regulatory restrictions on the site.

7. In preparation for a public discussion on park design establish a public information plan that allows for public input outside the normal public hearing process, i.e., a specific e-mail address for comments."

City Manager Bev Cameron estimated this would take city staff about six to nine months.  Once complete, phase two would be initiated. 

In phase two, the contract would be awarded to the existing firm -- -- for a concept design with its scope adjusted according to the work performed in phase one.  In addition, a Riverfront Park Task Force would work concurrently, giving input to the design firm, as recommended by Councilman Kelly.

"After the presentation council would task a reorganized riverfront taskforce to include, in addition to stakeholders, staff and representatives from organizations who have expertise and/or oversight regarding riverfront development or other areas deemed appropriate by the council," Kelly wrote in his memo.   "The taskforce would oversee a public process (public information meeting, hearings) regarding a concept design for the park for council review and approval."  The task force is to work with the contractor as part of the contract.

Councilman Fred Howe, Ward 3, voted against the plan.  "I'm going to be the eternal naysayer," he said.  "We don't have the revenue coming in to pay for anything new at this point," he said. 

Councilman Kelly responded that a design was necessary in order to apply for funding sources.  "We can't do anything without an actual design," he said.  He said he intends to look for "funding sources outside the general fund" to build the park.

The contract with as currently written costs about $97,000.  City Manager Bev Cameron said he could not estimate what the savings would be with this two phase plan without first presenting it to the company.

Related Stories:

Riverfront Park -- The Next Steps (Feb. 11, 2013)

Riverfront Park Vote Deferred (Jan. 9, 2013)

City Council Divided on Riverfront Park (Jan. 8, 2013)

Riverfront Park Again Center of Council Contention (Jan. 6, 2013)

Letter: Councilmembers Respond to River Front Editorial (Jan. 5, 2013)

Council Closer to Approving Riverfront Park Contract (Dec. 12, 2012)

Council to Continue Riverfront Park Debate (Dec. 11, 2012)

Riverfront Park May Require Special Permits (Dec. 11, 2012)

Riverfront Park's Future: What's The Best Next Step? (April 23, 2012)

City Moves to Buy Riverfront Lodge (May 16, 2011)

Subscribe to Fredericksburg Patch's email newsletter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here