Highlights of major activities and other notable developments.
Caroline Street Water/Sewer Improvement Line Project
Work continues in the 600 block of Caroline Street on the water line improvement project. The sanitary sewer line work will begin March 6 in the 500 block which will require closing the street (between Wolfe Street and Lafayette Boulevard) to traffic during work periods (daylight hours, Monday through Friday, with the closure remaining in place periodically during overnight hours as well) for a period of approximately five weeks.
New Parking Lot Opens
The vacant lot at 700 William Street (at the corner of Barton and William Streets) which was previously the parking lot of the former Free Lance-Star building, is now available for free public parking. The 85 space lot is now leased from W.J. Vakos through at least October 15 and potentially longer, depending on how quickly their mixed-use development plans progress for the site of the parking lot and the former Free Lance-Star site.
Parks and Recreation Summer Camps
Registration opens March 22 for City residents. There are more than 50 different camp sessions offered this summer for all ages of children 4 -16 years old. A brochure with all the information on the camps will be distributed throughout the schools.
Motts Run Spring Clean Up and Early Opening for the Season
The Parks, Recreation and Events Department staff and volunteers, twenty-two in total, spent February 22 sprucing up the area around the Nature Center. They built three new garden beds (for butterfly-attracting perennials), built two new compost bins, spread mulch over the picnic areas and began building a log cabin playhouse in the nature play space called “The Hideout”. The group added a surprise celebration of park attendant Don Minor’s 80th birthday. Because of all the warm weather Motts will be opening for the fishing season a little early this year; the park will be open Saturdays and Sundays in March from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for boat rental, fishing and hiking.
VDOT Bucket Truck Safety Training
On January 30 and 31, City employees participated in an 8-hour VDOT Aerial Lift / Bucket Truck training course. Fifty-two employees completed both classroom and practical safety training at VDOT’s Thornburg Maintenance Training Academy. This required training prepared employees to be ready for potential spring storm damage, as well as everyday tasks such as changing lights at the Police Station. In an effort to go green, attendees were transported to Thornburg by FRED Transit.
Fire and Police Departments Assist UMW President’s Filming Project
University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino rode on horseback through the City Tuesday, February 21 as filming for a six-episode series, “the New Guy” about his tenure at UMW continues. Escorted by Fire and Police department staff, Dr. Paino visited with Parks and Recreation Director Jane Shelhorse and Economic Development and Tourism Director Bill Freehling during his ride. The series highlights three most notable assets identified by Dr. Paino for UMW, including its location in the heart of Fredericksburg, the high quality of academics and the fun to be had in the City. The series will be released by the middle of March.
Police Officers Participate in Fredericksburg Main Street’s #LoveFXBG Campaign
In January, Fredericksburg Main Street launched their #LoveFXBG social media campaign created to highlight human interest stories related to downtown Fredericksburg. Downtown zone Officer Chris
Menck (left) and the Officer Dan Finn (right), were featured as part of the #LoveFXBG campaign. Two additional officers will be highlighted in the upcoming months.
Editor’s Note: Read more at Fredericksburg Police Officer Finn Has a Passion for Playing the Bagpipes
Police Department Employees Participate in Two-Day Community Event
On February 11th and 12th, Officer Nikki Lovett and Laura Mahaney, Executive Assistant to the Chief, participated in the Fredericksburg Kids Expo held at the Fredericksburg Expo Center. Hundreds of local families attend the two-day event. The Police Department took a patrol vehicle for children to explore, crime prevention material, and giveaways. This event is an opportunity for City officers to build strong relationships with City residents of all ages.
Building Statistics Reports
The January Building Construction Activity and Property Maintenance Reports are attached for your review.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Baroody prepares a City Manager’s report for each City Council meeting.
More
Temporary Parking Lot Open at William and Barton Streets in Downtown Fredericksburg
City Manager’s Update 02/07/17
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