The image accompanying this story – of a derelict building lot and an empty building that used to be a J.C. Penny’s department store – symbolizes this problem. The shopping center was built within the last 15 years, but it never met its potential. Penny’s left, as did Dick’s Sporting Goods. There are still three stores in the center – a Target, Best Buy, and Kohl’s Department store – and they seem to be thriving. The York County proposed 6-year plan, however, suggests building a “passive-use” park on this land. The article does not detail the proposed plan's impact on the businesses currently on this site.
This is part of a larger national or even global problem. Online shopping was growing even before COVID, but the pandemic moved many shoppers from the malls to their telephones. Brick-and-mortar stores are struggling everywhere, and places that overbuilt these shopping complexes – like York County – are trying to figure out how to adapt to this new normal.
This map explains part of the problem. Williamsburg is an independent city bounded entirely by York County and James City County. This means that three planning boards have to work together to create functional community resources. The planning recreational area sits on the border between York County and Williamsburg, about where the blue dot is on this map.
The budget implications for this park are significant. Here’s what the article says about the cost.
There will be a lot of community feedback about a proposal to spend almost a million dollars on the development of a recreational area in the first two years of a proposed six-year project.
Hmmm. I support parks, but am a little surprised planners didn't propose multi-family residences on the site. We need more parks in urban areas where people are more crowded together. We also need to preserve farmland and natural areas. I'm puzzled about the park.