2009 Better Models for Development Awards

At VCC we believe that the towns and cities in the region should maintain their traditional character as they grow, creating attractive and efficient places for everyone to live. On May 21, 2009, planners, developers, community leaders and interested citizens from throughout the region gathered at the newly renovated George Washington Hotel in Winchester to celebrate the following outstanding projects.

Outstanding Landmark Restoration Project
The George Washington Hotel (Winchester, Virginia)
GW Development, LLC (Glen Burke, Managing Partner)

The George Washington Hotel project transformed an empty six-story historic structure back to its previous grandeur as a luxury hotel and upscale restaurant in the heart of Old Town Winchester. Built as a hotel in 1924, the imposing structure anchors a highly visible downtown street corner near other recent restoration projects. The reopening of ‘The George’ strengthens the position of downtown as the choice location for dining and provides a luxurious alternative to lodging. Extensive historical research guided the design for the 90-room hotel, which used historic tax credits. Defining elements of the building were meticulously preserved and help to convey the story of the iconic structure’s history to current guests. Parking, delivery and handicapped access all are accommodated without altering the historic main entrance. An adjacent parking garage offers ample parking, while location on a transit route provides an option for those not using automobiles; proximity to so many employers and institutions and other destinations reduces the need for driving. Streetscape improvements done in coordination with the city include street trees and brick sidewalks with period lighting. The developer was Glen Burke and GW Development LLC; the architect was Peter Fillat Architects of Baltimore.

Grow In, Not Out Award
Berryville/Clarke County Government Center ( Berryville, Virginia)
Town of Berryville and Clarke County
The Town of Berryville and the County of Clarke are honored for combining on a single facility to house their respective government offices as well as the Clarke County Library. An infill project in downtown Berryville, the building helps reinforce a longstanding commitment of the two governments to work together to ‘grow in, not out’ and maintain a clear edge between town and country. It also strengthens the community core by using existing infrastructure and locating near other destinations. In fact, new sidewalks provide handicapped access and connect also to Rose Hill Park and a new cultural arts venue, with which the government center will share parking. The cooperation among the three entities keeps these important and complementary uses in close proximity for citizens.

Best Shopping Center Design
Riverton Commons Shopping Center, ( Warren County) Warren County and Edens and Avant
Located at the corner of I-66 and Route 340 in Warren County, Riverton Commons Shopping Center occupies a parcel inevitably slated for development. As it approved its first shopping center, the county put significant effort into how this brownfield redevelopment of a former quarry site should look and how it should function. The county anticipates that this project will set the standard for the county’s industrial and commercial corridor. A combination of county conditions and company proffers resulted in many features that go beyond what is normally found in Valley big box developments. Architectural designs were kept compatible throughout the center and incorporate local building traditions such as stone as a material and roofs of standing seam metal. Attention was paid to aesthetics, from lighting to signs to screening, and to pedestrian convenience and traffic safety. Extensive landscaping was planted throughout the center: in the parking lots, in front of the buildings, along the highways, and as a buffer to the historic site next door. Following low impact development principles, bioretention basins catch rainwater to reduce impact on the local stream.

Excellence in Streetscape Design
Woodstock Court Square Enhancement Project, ( Woodstock, Virginia.) Town of Woodstock
This exemplary community project in the Town of Woodstock perfectly showcases the historic Shenandoah County Courthouse and creates an attractive and accessible space for both residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s rich history. Before the improvement, the treasured Courthouse (circa 1795 and on the National Register of Historic Places) was obscured by traffic signals, utility poles, and inappropriate landscaping. Historic research guided the design of brick walkways, light fixtures, open areas, landscaping, and materials. Historic information is conveyed through a statue, imbedded carvings, and plaques on the iron benches. The park-like public space connects to downtown businesses and parking areas and is used for community events for young and old. A local volunteer group, the Woodstock Enhancement Committee, worked tirelessly to bring about these improvements, helping design project elements, secure grants, and coordinate with the town and the county. The unveiling celebration last October was attended by thousands. Design was by Land, Planning & Design of Charlottesville.

Best Small-Town Public Building
New Market Area Library, (New Market, Virginia), New Market Area Library, Inc.
When the New Market Library embarked on building a new library in the small town of New Market, the group approached the project with a commendable emphasis on how the building itself should add to the community long term. The 4,500 square foot building near Town Hall adds many improvements: additional computer space, a kitchen, a reading room, and larger spaces and facilities. It also offers breathtaking views of Massanutten Mountain through two floor-to-ceiling windows. The ‘new’ building is made from bricks and oak trim recycled from a 19 th century building. Design features reflect other buildings nearby. The building was planned for exemplary energy efficiency. The group has applied for Federal LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design), which recognizes performance in energy savings, water efficiency, emissions reduction, indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to impacts. The sidewalk and parking lot are constructed of porous concrete to allow water to pass through. Roof runoff flows into two rain gardens. The library was designed by Lineage Architects and built by D.K. Patterson Construction.

Building Livable Communities Award
STAR Trail ( Fishersville, Virginia) Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center
The STAR (Supporting Therapeutic Access to Recreation) Trail developed by the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center is a half-mile accessible fitness and mobility trail traversing scenic woodlands and circling a small lake. Added elements make this much more than a simple path, including a fiberglass bridge, exercise stations, ‘trailscape’ features like signs and benches, and handicapped accessible designs for the fishing pier, bathrooms, and parking lot. The state game and inland fisheries and forestry departments have partnered on protecting and enhancing the natural setting of maturing pine forest and pond habitat. The community-wide need is shown in the popularity of the trail, the only such facility in a 10-mile radius. It is within walking, rolling, or biking distance of four schools, county recreational and school administration offices, and four residential neighborhoods. None of the roads have sidewalks in this complex that serves more than 3,000 people, many of whom have mobility disabilities, so this trail meets a real need. One of WWRC’s Healthy Living Initiatives is to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior through changes to the built and natural environment. The WWRC STAR Trail provides infrastructure and environmental supports for physical activity within the Wilson complex so that all individuals of this community will be encouraged to take steps toward reducing the chronic health problems associated with inactivity. Multiple groups have contributed labor and resources to the project, and the pride of what has been accomplished keeps inspiring ever more improvements.

Excellence in Historic Preservation
Old Dairy Community Center (Warm Springs, Virginia), The Homestead Preserve
The Old Dairy that served the Homestead resort has been beautifully restored and renovated into a community center. The complex, consisting of seven agricultural buildings built in1928 in the Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles, is on the National Register of Historic Places and also is a National Historic Landmark. The dairy served the Homestead well into the 1970s but fell victim to increased regulations and labor costs and the advent of refrigeration transport. Abandoned for three decades, the dairy has been meticulously preserved. The research included extensive interviews with former workers. Now a community center and offices, the interiors were designed in a way that retains and showcases the historic features of a working barn. The uses inside this longtime community landmark may have changed, but its place on the horizon is secure, an icon on the rural landscape. The project architect was Urban Design Associates of Pittsburgh.

Setting the Standard with Public Buildings
Rockbridge County Courthouse ( Lexington, Virginia), County of Rockbridge
The new Rockbridge County Courthouse contributes a building of impressive design and stature to downtown Lexington. An essential goal was to have the building close to the core of downtown. This location on a redevelopment site a block off the main street, made it possible to incorporate a building of such large scale. The building hugs the corner, its bulk ameliorated by classical design features and the use of quality building materials: brick on a limestone foundation. On the back side, a green roof and patio on the top of the three-tier parking deck provides an attractive outdoor space even as it serves a utilitarian function. The courthouse relates well to the downtown, offering an opportunity to extend core blocks and add needed parking. The city is adding new sidewalks and there already has been movement of offices nearer to the courthouse. The architect was BCWH Architects of Richmond.

Makeover Magic
Blue Collar Joe’s (Daleville, Virginia), Daniel and Pru Knight
In a striking makeover, an abandoned gas station has been turned into an attractive and inviting donut and coffee shop. Blue Collar Joe’s is reeling in the business with the combination of great food and a quirky setting. ‘Full service’ includes a drive-through window under the canopy of the former pump island. The owners, Daniel and Pru Knight, thoroughly cleaned up the site inside and out. They removed the underground storage tanks and hauled off trailer truck loads of tires and debris from the streambank and then planted it with trees. They also lobbied VDOT successfully to prevent removal of mature oak trees. The couple originally planned to build on a new site farther out. Their decision to rebuild in the core seems to have been a good one. They were voted the ‘Best New Thing in Botetourt County’ and earned third place as ‘ Best Place to Take Out of Town Relatives.’ Architect was John Fulton of Roanoke.

Sustained Leadership in Downtown Revitalization
City of Winchester
The City of Winchester was recognized for its long track record in downtown revitalization. Over the years the city has been a pioneer in finding effective tools and strategies. “They’ve done things smart and early,” says a statewide preservation architect. Their investment in dedicated parking, for examples, dates back to the 1970s. The city just completed its fourth parking garage. Other investments over the years include streetscape projects including putting utilities underground and specific buildings like the visitors center. A key effort was retaining county offices downtown, which paved the way for continued success in being the location for other major public buildings and headquarters operations. Winchester was among the first Main Street communities, in 1985. Downtown has vibrant activity all days and hours because of a conscious blend of institutional, retail, service, civic, entertainment, and religious uses. This sustained city commitment encourages developers to also invest in downtown. Keystone projects like the Knitting Mill and The George Washington Hotel are made possible in part by the cumulative efforts and decisions made by city officials. Recent city initiatives like the Corridor Enhancement districts and the Amherst Street Corridor Plan complement the work downtown and expand the benefits outward.

Better Development Professional Leadership Award
Tim Youmans, Planning Director, City of Winchester
Tim Youmans , as long-time Planning Director for the City of Winchester, has been an integral part of these efforts. He knows all the players’ missions and needs and ‘keeps it all together,’ according to a colleague. . Another asset is his complete institutional knowledge. He knows the questions and angles that have to be addressed to keep a project on firm ground. Add positive attitude and willingness to try new strategies and by all accounts, Tim is great to work with. From VCC’s perspective (fielding the stream of Better Models Awards winners over the years), we always see complete projects that demonstrate multiple principles for better development.