The Future of Winchester Eden E. Freeman City Manager
� 2 Looking back… • 1744 – Winchester founded by Col. James Wood • 1752 – Received town charter • 1758 – George Washington elected to first public office • 1808 – Central water system installed, one of the earliest public water systems in U.S. • 1862-1864 Civil War – Winchester changed hands approximately 70 times between Union and Confederate • 1874 – Town becomes City and independent from County • 1895 – Judge John Handley bequeaths funding for JHHS, Library, School for black students and private endowment • 1900 – Rouss City Hall built
� 3 Looking back… • 1903 – Winchester Memorial Hospital built • 1991 - Frederick Douglass Elementary School • 1924 – First Shenandoah Apple Blossom Opened • 2000 - Timbrook Public Safety Center opens Festival • 1960 – Shenandoah College relocates to • 2009 – Cameron and Braddock converted to two- Winchester way traffic • 1974 – Loudoun Street converted to • 2014 – Taylor Hotel and Pavilion Renovation pedestrian mall Completed • 1976 - Historic Winchester District Established • 2015 – National Avenue Roundabout Opened • 1984 – Joint Judicial Center dedicated • 2016 – New John Kerr Elementary School Opened
� 4 Today’s Facts • Major Employers (500 - 4,999 employees) • Population – 28,108 (2018 estimate) • Winchester Medical Center • Size – 9.3 square miles • Rubbermaid Commercial Products • Council/Manager form of government • Continental (formerly O’Sullivan Films, Inc.) • Budget – $284M (FY20 Adopted) • Shenandoah University • General Fund - $93,882,000 • National Fruit • Schools - $73,251,582 • Winchester Public Schools • Capital Improvements - $26,855,000 • City of Winchester
Looking Ahead
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� 10 Challenges and Opportunities • Redevelopment is critical to our future and • Historic Downtown and Amenities success • Strong Financial Position: • Catalyst sites: • Fund Balance Reserve - 22% of General Fund • Ward Plaza Expenditures • Federal Mogul (Abex) • AAA bond rating • ZeroPak • Multiple Government Finance Officers • Old Town Association (GFOA) Awards (CAFR and • Additional housing options - from affordable to Budget) high end • Comprehensive Plan Update • Workforce • Nearly 25% of tax digest is exempt • Increasing unfunded mandates
� 11 Recent Projects • Completed: • Government Transparency: • New John Kerr Elementary School • Website and mobile app • Public Safety Communications System • Agenda Management, Online Board Application and • Meadow Branch Avenue Extension Live Streaming of Council Meetings • Joint Judicial Center Renovation • Budget Transparency Tool and Open Checkbook – • Green Circle Trail – Phase II OpenGov • City Hall Faç ade Improvements • Online FOIA Request Portal • Body Worn Camera Deployment • Cable Channel 6 • Crossover Boulevard • Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube • Fairmont Avenue Street Improvements • Citibot • S. Kent Street Improvements • Podcast • Newsletters
� 12 Current Projects • New wayfinding signage • Water Treatment Plant repairs • North end sidewalk replacements (CDBG) • Central Downtown Infrastructure • Temporary sidewalk repairs Improvements • Water meter and sidewalk replacements • New City Yards Facility • Wentworth Drive sidewalks • New Park Maintenance Facility • N. Cameron Drainage Improvements • Kent/Woodstock Lane Improvements • City Hall Renovations (Phase I starts next week) • Creamery Renovations
� 13 Upcoming Projects • Potential Boscawen Street closure discussion • Hope Drive Extension • Green Circle Trail Phase III and IV • Valley Avenue Drainage and Sidewalk Improvements • Burn Building Construction • Natatorium at Jim Barnett Park
Questions Eden E. Freeman City Manager
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