Newsletter — August 2024

Friends and Neighbors of Williamsburg,

Happy end of August! As we step into the new academic year, Williamsburg is alive with the energy of returning students and ongoing projects. I’m excited to share some key updates that highlight the work City Council is doing to continue enhancing our community.

• Welcome Back, Students: The start of the academic year at William & Mary is always a momentous occasion for our city. Continuing a tradition that was re-inaugurated during the university’s tercentenary in 1993, the Opening Convocation ceremony took place last night. Held at the historic Sir Christopher Wren Building, this event officially welcomes all entering students and signifies the beginning of their journey at William & Mary. We were honored to have Dr. Cleveland “Cleve” Francis, a renowned country music artist and cardiologist, as this year’s keynote speaker.
• African American Heritage Trail: Our City continues to make strides in celebrating and preserving our rich history. Since 2020, the African American Heritage Trail has been a critical component of Williamsburg’s Goals, Initiatives, and Outcomes (GIOs). In January 2023, we received $357,000 in federal funding to kickstart Phase 1 of this important project. This phase includes the construction of a trailhead at Lafayette Street, a public restroom, and the first segment of the trail stretching from Lafayette Street to Scotland Street. The platform to contribute stories remains open, and I encourage all residents to share their personal connections to Williamsburg at the link above.
• Public Art Story Map: Art plays a significant role in the cultural vibrancy of Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Public Art Council (WPAC) has been diligently cataloging the city’s public art since 2021 and has recently introduced ADA-compliant plaques for each piece. These plaques are part of a Public Art Story Map, developed through the city’s Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, making it easier for residents and visitors to engage with the artwork.
• Election Coverage: Finally, I want to express my gratitude to the WYDaily and the Flat Hat for their thorough profiles of this year’s election candidates. Their coverage provides valuable insights and helps ensure that our community is well-informed as we head into the election season. You can find their coverage through these links here. Questions with a candidate: Councilman Pat Dent, Councilwoman Barb Ramsey, Fraser. Flat Hat coverage of Student Ayanna Williams, Professor Lindsey Barna.

As always, I am honored to serve you and look forward to continuing our work together to make Williamsburg an even better place to live, work, and learn.

Yours in service,
Caleb

**this Newsletter is mine alone and does not represent the input of the entire City Council