Town of Abingdon, Virginia : August 2018

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Coomes Fall Festival - Fur Fest

Public Input Session- September 18, 2018

Come view exhibits and discuss potential street improvements to the Church and College Streets in the downtown area. Town Staff and elected officials will be available on September 18, 2018 from 5:30PM to 6:45PM in the Abingdon Town Council Chambers. For more information, contact Matt Bolick, Director of Public Works, at 276-492-2128.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Notice of Vacancy- Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator Board

Questions about the Town Wide Yard Sale

The Town of Abingdon has received several questions regarding the Town Wide Yard Sale that will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018. We would like to address and answer those questions for you to eliminate further confusion.

1. Where will the Town Wide Yard Sale be located?

We are encouraging residents and property owners to hold yard sales throughout the town on September 15, 2018. The person holding the yard sale will need to obtain a permit at no cost on that day. We will compile a list of addresses/neighborhoods from the permits and post that information on the Facebook event the week before the yard sale.

2. Where are the town limits?

The Town of Abingdon is 8.2 square miles. We have attached a map to this information to clarify where the town limits start (Exit 14 area) and where they stop (Exit 19 area). If you are holding a yard sale within the town limits, you must obtain a yard sale permit for September 15, 2018.

3. Where can I set up a yard sale if I am not in the town limits?

You are welcome to set up a yard sale anywhere within the town limits, at a church, organization/business, etc. As long as you have coordinated it with the private property owner and obtained a yard sale permit.

4. Where can I get a yard sale permit?

You can fill one out at the Town Municipal Building (133 West Main Street, Abingdon, VA) or you can print one on the town website- https://abingdon-va.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Town-Of-Abingdon.pdf and return it to the Municipal Building.

5. For more information on this event, whom do I contact?

Feel free to contact Tonya Triplett, Community Development Coordinator, at ttriplett@abingdon-va.gov or 276-492-2234.

Work Session Meeting on September 10, 2018

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

August 27, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda

Abingdon Vineyards Opens with New Management, New Vision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2018

Photos available at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GYjqP6A8hrxjeYG36

Abingdon Vineyards Opens with New Management, New Vision

Abingdon, VA – Abingdon Vineyards is entering the fall season with new owners, and a new vision for creating a hub of community events and activities. Elizabeth and Loren Gardner purchased the winery July 31^st, after relocating from Point Reyes, California.

The winery will be open year-round for tastings and farm tours, with regular live music and special events. Picnickers and Creeper Trail riders are welcome, and the tasting room will feature a deli case offering local cheeses, charcuterie and snacks. The owners also plan to host weddings, groups and corporate retreats. Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm.

Abingdon Vineyards is located on 45 acres adjacent to the South Holston River in the tiny community of Alvarado, midway between Abingdon and Damascus. The winery is just a quarter mile from the Virginia Creeper Trail, making is a perfect stopover for bikers starting in Alvarado or Abingdon.

Abingdon Vineyards (formerly Abingdon Vineyard and Winery) was started in 2001 by Bob Carlson and his wife, Janet, as their retirement project. They ran it well into their 80's and have now passed it on to the next generation of wine enthusiasts.

New owners Elizabeth and Loren plus baby Ava Jean and doggies Eli and Jackson are also known as the "Country Gingers." They stumbled upon a winery for sale when visiting their best friends who moved from California back to Virginia. They fell in love with the beautiful land, delicious wine and gracious community.

Loren grew up in Napa Valley and has always been fascinated with the wine industry. He studied viticulture and wine making at UC Davis and built many wineries and vineyards with his construction company. He is thrilled to learn about a new terroir and new varieties of grapes.

Elizabeth is passionate about food, art, nature and education. She is a Stanford graduate, Master Gardner, Certified Natural Chef and has a Masters in Education. She combined her passions with her business in Point Reyes, California - Food & Farm Tours (foodandfarmtours.com). She is looking forward to hosting events and bringing delicious artisan products into the winery.

Abingdon Vineyards is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Tastings are 4 for $5, 8 for $10, or a glass of wine $7. Picnickers are welcome during business hours.

To reach the winery by car, take I-81 to exit 19 in Abingdon, VA, and head east on US Hwy 58. Turn right on Osceola Road (Hwy 722) and travel 9.5 miles, winery will be on your right. To reach the winery by bike from the Virginia Creeper Trail, exit the trail at Alvarado Station (mile marker 9) and head northwest on Alvarado Road for a quarter mile. Winery will be on your left.

For more information, call 276-623-1255 or visit abingdonvineyards.com

To download press photos, click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GYjqP6A8hrxjeYG36

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Friday, August 17, 2018

Economic Development Conference on September 27, 2018 Meeting Notice

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Comprehensive Plan Update Request For Proposals

MAIN STREET BUSKER FEST RETURNS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

MAIN STREET BUSKER FEST RETURNS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Abingdon, VA - Abingdon’s most unique festival is back for a 4th year, taking over the downtown district with weird and wonderful street acts. Main Street Busker Fest takes place Saturday September 1st, with family-friendly performances, special hands-on activities for kids, and an adults-only reception called Buskers After Dark.

Street Performers 12:00pm to 5:00pm: The heart of Busker Fest is a lively street festival that takes place along Abingdon’s historic Main Street. Every few feet, stumble on a different type of busker, from magicians to unicyclists, circus artists to aerialists. There’s no published schedule; the joy is in the discovery of something surprising and wonderful on every corner. Be sure to bring some spare change to tip your favorite buskers! Trolleys will be running continuously along Main Street, noon to 5pm.

Kids Activities at Imagination Station 11:00am to 3:00pm: The fun starts at 11a.m. for the youth and the young at heart with the Imagination Station on the Barter Green, sponsored by William King Museum and Barter Youth Academy. There will be free crafts, including building puppets with children, followed by improv exercises and puppet performances, giving children a chance to catch the performance bug.

Buskers After Dark 8:00 to 10:00pm: Busker Fest wraps up with a special adults-only event, Buskers After Dark, held 8 to 10pm at the Abingdon Market Pavilion. With a completely different slate of performers, Buskers After Dark offers intimate performances in a carnival-like atmosphere. Admission is by donation at the door; all proceeds benefit Abingdon Main Street. Ages 21+ only, photo ID required.

After Dark attendees are encouraged to ditch the traditional mode of setting up a chair and watching a concert. Instead, at 8:00pm, meet and mingle in small groups with the performers to enjoy close-up magic or be awed by acro-balancers, while enjoying a local brew from the beer garden. Then, at 9:00pm, Fire Circus takes the stage for an epic grand finale performance.

The details: Four anchor stages will offer space for larger acts, with additional performers located along Main Street in downtown Abingdon. Food trucks will be available, and Abingdon’s downtown restaurants will be open for lunch and dinner. Downtown merchants are participating in the festival with sidewalk sales and specials, turning all of downtown Abingdon into a carnival atmosphere for the day.

Festival guides are available at three information tents, located at Lois Humphreys Park (310 W. Main Street), Sinking Spring Church parking lot (corner of Pecan and Main Streets) and the Courthouse (corner of Court and Main Streets). The guide will also be available for download at MainStreetBuskerFest.com.

Main Street Busker Fest is presented by Abingdon Main Street, in partnership with the Town of Abingdon, and is sponsored by Virginia Commission for the Arts, JJ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 99.3 The X, and Virginia Highlands Festival.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetbuskerfest.com or contact Event Coordinator Sara Saavedra at (276) 676-2282 or ssaavedra@abingdon-va.gov.

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Monday, August 13, 2018

Meadows Update

TOWN OF ABINGDON

Abingdon, Virginia

For Immediate Release

Meadows Update:

Recently, there has been some confusion regarding the Meadows Project. This project is actually two separate projects. The Town of Abingdon would like to clarify between the Green Spring Road Project (lead by the Town) and the Meadows Development (lead by K-VAT). Although both projects are using some of the same contractors and you will see some of the same trucks and equipment traveling between the two, they are two different permitted projects.

The Meadows Retail Development is permitted for work from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. These restrictions fall under the Town Code section 30-32. As governed by the Noise Ordinance, quiet time for construction is 11:00PM to 7:00AM.

Construction on the new Food City is expected to be finished by Spring 2019.

The Green Spring Road/Cook Street extension project is permitted for work from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Green Spring Road/Cook Street Extension will be finished and open to the public in the Fall of 2018.

View the live stream and time-lapse video of The Meadows- http://abingdon-va.gov/?page_id=2765

Friday, August 10, 2018

Work Session Agenda for 8-14-18

The following items will be on the agenda for the Abingdon Town Council Work Session on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 7:00 PM:

1. The Arthur Campbell Awards
2. The Homestay Ordinance, Section 18-161(C)(5) of the Town Code
3. The crosswalk in the vicinity of 619 West Main Street (attached are photos of the crosswalk)

Public comment will be accepted at the beginning of the work session.

Charges for FOIA Requests

Redevelopment and Housing Authority Vacancy

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Public Notice: Trespassing Issue on Green Spring Road/Meadows Property

PUBLIC NOTICE:

There has been an increase in unauthorized visitors to the construction site on Green Spring Road and to the Meadows property: the site of the future retail development and sports park. While curiosity is natural, this is an active construction site, full of potential hazards. The site is posted with, “No Trespassing” signs and Green Spring Road has, “Road Closed” signs in two locations.

The police department will be monitoring these sites for violators and will take immediate and appropriate enforcement actions with violators.

§ 18.2-119. Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties.

If any person without authority of law goes upon or remains upon the lands, buildings or premises of another, or any portion or area thereof, after having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, by the owner, lessee, custodian, or the agent of any such person, or other person lawfully in charge thereof, or after having been forbidden to do so by a sign or signs posted by or at the direction of such persons or the agent of any such person or by the holder of any easement or other right-of-way authorized by the instrument creating such interest to post such signs on such lands, structures, premises or portion or area thereof at a place or places where it or they may be reasonably seen, or if any person, whether he is the owner, tenant or otherwise entitled to the use of such land, building or premises, goes upon, or remains upon such land, building or premises after having been prohibited from doing so by a court of competent jurisdiction by an order issued pursuant to §§ 16.1-253, 16.1-253.1, 16.1-253.4, 16.1-278.2 through 16.1-278.6, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.14, 16.1-278.15, 16.1-279.1, 19.2-152.8, 19.2-152.9 or § 19.2-152.10 or an ex parte order issued pursuant to § 20-103, and after having been served with such order, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the provisions of §§ 18.2-132 through 18.2-136.

Code 1950, § 18.1-173; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1982, c. 169; 1987, cc. 625, 705; 1991, c. 534; 1998, cc. 569, 684; 2011, c. 195.

Historic Preservation Review Board Special Called Meeting on 8-8-18

Town Council Work Session Meeting on 8-14-18

Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Cancelled

Monday, August 6, 2018

Sons of Liberty Featured at Heartwood

Sons of Liberty Featured at Heartwood

Abingdon, Virginia – The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail presents the Sons of Liberty in concert on Thursday, August 9^th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Heartwood in Abingdon, VA. This concert is part of The Crooked Road Music Series at Heartwood.

The Sons of Liberty are Joshua, Noah, and Daniel Smith of Jonesville, Virginia. With a background in classical violin, they began re-enacting and playing music of the 18^th century in 2014. They are frequently featured as musicians at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, Cumberland Gap National Park, Wilderness Road State Park, and at other Virginia state parks as well as local events and festivals. The uniqueness of their sound is enriched by their dynamic arrangements of traditional American songs.

The Crooked Road Music Series takes place each Thursday at Heartwood. The series features youth artists each 2^nd Thursday along with open jams on the 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th (and 5^th) Thursdays to showcase Southwest Virginia performers. The Crooked Road Music Series is sponsored by Heartwood and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development,.

Heartwood - Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is located off I-81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, VA, and features food, music, and craft of Southwest Virginia. As part of The Crooked Road's Thursday night live music, our restaurant features delicious southern BBQ to make for a food and music experience only Southwest Virginia can deliver. Admission to the concert is free and donations will be accepted for Crooked Road Traditional Music Education Program (TMEP).

More information can be found at The Crooked Road website, www.thecrookedroad.org, and at www.heartwoodvirginia.org. For additional information, please call (276) 492-2409 or email: admin@thecrookedroad.org.

- END-

A photo of the Sons of Liberty is attached. Photo credit - Michael Smith.

Friday, August 3, 2018

Abingdon Main Street awarded $12,000 in downtown investment funds for façade improvement

Abingdon Main Street awarded $12,000 in downtown investment funds for façade improvement

Abingdon, VA – Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Abingdon Main Street has been awarded a $12,000 Downtown Investment Grant from Virginia Main Street. The funds will be matched by an additional $10,000 grant from the Abingdon Economic Development Authority, and used for façade improvements in Abingdon’s historic downtown district.

Businesses located within the Abingdon Main Street footprint can apply for funding to offset the costs of improving and rehabilitating their storefronts. Funds may only be used for exterior improvements. The selected businesses will also qualify for free design plans from Frazier and Associates Architects.

“We want downtown Abingdon to be a vibrant area that will attract and sustain small businesses,” said Carrie Baxter, Executive Director of Abingdon Main Street. “History is such an important part of Abingdon’s identity, and these funds will preserve those historic properties and make Abingdon more attractive to visitors and new businesses.”

The Downtown Investment Grants (DIGs), administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), are for design and economic vitality projects targeting areas of specific need in historic downtown neighborhoods located in designated Virginia Main Street communities. These grants are available to designated Main Street organizations to accelerate the economic revitalization of their downtown districts by helping implement innovative strategies, plans and programs that create an environment for increased private investment.

In creating the façade improvement program, Abingdon Main Street worked closely with the Abingdon EDA and the Town of Abingdon. The downtown investment is part of a larger strategy by Main Street and the Town of Abingdon to attract and retain small businesses.

According to Abingdon Interim Town Manager Tony Sullivan, "this grant enables us to make our downtown more attractive, which we hope will lead to future investment and development in our downtown economy."

The Abingdon Economic Development Authority (EDA) has been a long-time partner of Abingdon Main Street. "We were excited about how the initial Facade Improvement Grant worked last year,” said Kenneth Shuman, a member of the Abingdon EDA. “We are looking forward to the expansion of this project to attract more businesses and revenue in downtown."

AMS Director Carrie Baxter expects to open applications for façade improvements within the next two months, and will notify qualified downtown merchants by letter.

Virginia Main Street is the granting organization for the Downtown Investment Grant program. In 1985, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development adopted the Main Street program for Virginia to help prevent downtown districts across the Commonwealth from economic decline. This unique program works to re-energize economic development of downtown communities while utilizing their cultural assets and character. More information can be found at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/business-va-assistance/virginia-main-street-vms.html

Abingdon Main Street, a 501c3 implementing the Main Street Approach, boosts downtown as the heart of a thriving community, by supporting local independent businesses, promoting downtown through events, connecting partners with resources, and leveraging history, culture, arts and outdoor recreation to grow the economy of the town. Learn more at http://abingdonmainstreet.com/

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