Onancock Purchases Building for Public Restrooms, Welcome Center

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Image courtesy of Onancock Main Street.

By Carol Vaughn — The town of Onancock has purchased the building at 38 Market Street (the single-story building between the Lilliston Building and the Corner Bakery) and plans to put new public restrooms and a welcome center there.

The town used reserve funds to purchase the building, so there is no debt associated with the purchase, according to Town Manager Matt Spuck.

Spuck said in an email to the Post that the building’s central location is ideal for the purpose, and the purchase will give the town a chance to renovate the police department (in the building where public restrooms are now) “to make it more usable and customer friendly.”

According to a deed recorded in the Accomack County Clerk of Circuit Court office in April, the town purchased the property from CGM LLC for $175,000.

Onancock Awarded $30,000 for Tourism
The town, in partnership with Onancock Main Street, received $20,000, and OMS was awarded another $10,000, in local and regional tourism marketing funds from the Virginia Tourism Commission.

The awards are to be used to leverage local marketing dollars with matching state funds on initiatives to increase visitor numbers and spending.

Onancock will use the money to market the town’s assets to visitors throughout the year, according to a press release from OMS.

The town and OMS will partner with businesses and nonprofit organizations to strengthen marketing campaigns.

Additionally, OMS will use funds to continue developing the website, ExperienceOnancock.com

“These grants will continue to strengthen the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and I am very grateful to the Virginia Tourism Commission,” said Robert Sabbatini, president of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission. “The Eastern Shore of Virginia’s culture, outdoors, and most importantly, people, will continue to attract visitors from all over, and these grants will help make that possible,” he said.

Town Council Actions
The Onancock Town Council at its May 23 meeting approved a special use permit for a homestay business at 60 Kerr St.

No one spoke at a public hearing about the permit application.

The council approved the fiscal year 2023 town budget and capital improvement plan in a 4-3 vote, with Mayor Fletcher Fosque casting the deciding vote.

The council was split 3-3 on whether to reduce the real estate tax rate to 27 cents per $100 value or keep it at the advertised rate, 28 cents.

The final vote keeps the rate at 28 cents.

Among council members advocating for the 27-cent rate was Councilwoman Maphis Oswald, who said the move “would be an across-the-board help to all our citizens,” citing the effects of inflation among other economic factors affecting residents.

Still, Councilwoman Cynthia Holdren said it is “better to have small increases over time,” citing potential expenses related to creating a master plan for the town.

ARPA Projects Prioritized
Spuck presented a list of proposed priorities for using $1.25 million in federal funds coming to the town as result of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Residents, the Town Council, and staff all had a voice in deciding how to allocate the funds. Public hearings and council discussions resulted in a list of 23 projects, details of which have been submitted to the federal government to comply with mandated reporting requirements.

Certain projects depend on another project being completed first and some also use other funds to complete.

In the first phase, which includes projects on which to begin work immediately — including design work, seeking bids, and other steps — is GIS mapping for the water system; police department and public bathroom renovations, the park in the northeast section of town; a dog park; touchless fixtures and a walking path at the Little League facility; grants for business façade improvements; and electric improvements and a security system at the water tower.

In a second phase are projects with a seasonally driven start date, including dredging under the floating docks at the wharf (fall 2022), followed by a new bulkhead, funded by the other sources, and creating a “Sunset Park” at the the wharf; and the second, final payment to the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence in January 2023.
Ongoing projects on the list include stormwater management, which may coincide with a state highway department project on King Street, and digging and cleaning drainage ditches.

Projects on the list that have been completed include a hypo tank (for storage of sodium hypochlorite used for water and wastewater treatment), removing the former, derelict, wood shop at the Historic Onancock School; and painting the water tower.

Town Manager’s Report
Jackson Street will be getting new sidewalks, curbs, and paving starting in mid-June, with completion before July 4, according to Spuck.

The town manager said he is working with the state highway department at the state and local level to determine the best solutions to ensure safety and “preserving the integrity of our downtown district,” related to Chaney Enterprises’ gravel operation at the wharf.
Spuck had a 45-minute conversation recently with the Virginia deputy secretary of transportation about potential state and federal funding options for improving the King Street area near the wharf, which needs stormwater improvements and currently lacks sidewalks.

The planning commission has reviewed and made proposed changes to the zoning ordinance for two business districts, including the waterfront business district. Questions from the commission have been sent to the town attorney to answer.
An evaluation of security camera systems has been completed and staff is working to have a vendor design the system to get the scope and cost of the system for the council to consider.

A fifth police officer has been hired and will start work July 25.

Spuck asked for and received council members’ consensus to potentially consider selling a 100 by 100 foot parcel at the back of Hartman Avenue to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

The HRSD needs land for a pump station as part of its sewer line project on the Shore. HRSD also is looking at property owned by ESCADV in the same area, but wants to survey the town parcel in case the ESCADV property is not able to be purchased, in order to expedite the project.

The sale of town property would require a public hearing and a council vote.

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