WinConnect – Summer 2024

From the City Manager’s Desk

Dear Neighbor, welcome back to the newest edition of WinConnect. Now that another fantastic Bloom has come and gone, the summer season is almost upon us—keeping us busy with fairs and festivals, summer camps, and family vacations. With its array of events and activities, Winchester is an amazing place to be during summer. Let’s enjoy it—it’s our City!

This time of the year is also known as “budget season.” It’s when the City finalizes its operating budget for the next fiscal year, which runs from July 2024 and ends in June 2025. Through our City budget, we collectively fund our Police and Fire and Rescue Departments, maintain our streets and public infrastructure, educate our children, pick up trash and recycling, and so much more. Next year, the City’s budget will increase by about three percent, less than our current national inflation rate of 3.4 percent (according to the U.S. Department of Labor).

As a community, we have a lot to be proud of when it comes to financial management. Since 2013, our City budgets have only increased by less than a half percent each year after adjusting for inflation. Our City has a Triple-A Bond Rating from Standard & Poors, and we have received the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting award from the Government Financial Officers

Association for 31 years in a row. Meanwhile, we are committed to pro viding residents with the highest level of service from their City and making the most of our budget.

As we move into summer, remember to check out the fun activities and events our Parks and Recreation team is organizing. From zumba to laser tag, there’s something for everyone! Learn more about our Parks and Rec programming and sign up for activities at https://www.winchesterva.gov/Parks-Recreation.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me at dan.hoffman@winchesterva.gov if I can do anything for you. If you have an idea for a story for this publication, please contact Public Information Officer Sarah Frey at sarah.frey@winchesterva.gov. See you around!

AWABI SUSHI BAR

Did you know that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States. Since 1990, Americans have celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ (AAPI) contribution to our country. Whether in sports, medicine, science, arts, education, and so much more, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made a tremendous mark.

To commemorate AAPI Heritage Month, we recently stopped by Awabi, an Asian American-owned restaurant on the Winchester Old Town Walking Mall. Awabi is Japanese for the shellfish Abalone, a delicacy in Asia and around the world!

Awabi owners Marcus Doe and Emma Lee, who both have Korean ancestry, are master sushi chefs with 32 years of experience preparing and serving the ancient Japanese cuisine. What sets their sushi apart is the perfect balance of flavors, the freshness of the ingredients, and the meticulous preparation that goes into each roll. For the last 14 years, they have operated Awabi and brought fantastic sushi to Winchester.

As you might imagine, you can’t learn how to make sushi on YouTube! After serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea, Marcus studied as a sushi chef for eight months at the prestigious Sam Sung Culinary Academy in Seoul, where he learned the basics of sushi preparation.

Becoming a sushi chef, however, also requires several years of working as an apprentice before being recognized as a professional sushi chef, or “shokunin.” Proper sushi preparation requires a sophisticated understanding of fish handling, expert knife skills, rice preparation, and knowledge of how much vinegar to use with different types of fish.

As they grow their repertoire, the most skilled chefs can become master chefs, or “itamae.” Itamae sushi chefs are highly respected in Japan, and we are lucky to have an itamae sushi chef in Winchester – Marcus! Marcus’s journey to becoming an itamae sushi chef is a testament to his dedication and passion.

Despite his accomplishments, Marcus emphasized to us that a true itamae sushi chef never stops learning.

He always strives to expand his repertoire and prepare different kinds of fish and sushi combinations to delight his customers.

Marcus and Emma also spare no expense in ordering the highest-quality fish from True World Foods, an international gourmet food supplier, further ensuring that their customers have the best dining experience.

Stop by Awabi sometime soon to sample some of the best the ancient Japanese sushi tradition offers. Of course, you don’t need AAPI Heritage Month as an excuse—Marcus and Emma’s delicious sushi is well worth the visit!

Awabi Sushi Bar

Location: 111 S. Loudoun St., Winchester, VA

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 5–9pm Friday and Saturday 12–2pm, 5–9pm

Sunday 12–2pm, 5–8pm

Closed Wednesday

(Above) Treasure Box Omakase (Below) Green Rose Roll

Civic Leadership Academy

Have you ever wondered how potholes are fixed or why the City decides to close some streets and not others? Or how neighborhoods are designed? Maybe you’re curious about how our Police and Fire and Rescue Departments keep us safe, or how your tax dollars are spent?

To get answers to these questions—and many more— sixteen Winchester residents took a leap of faith and signed up for the City’s inaugural “Civic Leadership Academy.”

The Academy is a nine month-long course designed to get “under the hood” of City operations, so interested residents can learn how the City works behind closed doors.

So far, the current class has toured upcoming redevelopment sites in the City (think Ward Plaza), participated in critical exercise in the City Emergency Operations Center, toured Fire and Police stations, as well as the City Water Treatment Plant, and drafted a budget for the City. Not bad for a few months’ work!

The Academy is loosely modeled after the City’s previous “Citizen Insight Academy,” a similar program that was run by the City from 2004 through 2022. The Civic Leadership Academy, however, was broadened to include more site tours and exercises, to break away from PowerPoint presentations and give students a more hands-on experience.

According to class member Alyssa Grant: “The Academy has been really amazing. Apart from just being a fun experience, it’s helped me learn about how the city runs, which allows me to better help our library patrons with their needs. The Civic Leadership Academy has armed me with the knowledge I need to better help our library patrons who are Winchester residents!”

Winchester resident Karen Burroughs found that the class helped her achieve her goals: “When I moved to Winchester, I was looking for ways to get involved and wanted to find my place within the community. I found out I could get a free rain barrel which would give me a credit on my stormwater fee, I can get free glass stones or sand from the recycling center, and I was able to find ways to volunteer through opportunities like the City’s Snowbuster program. This has been a truly amazing experience and I’d highly recommend it for any citizen wanting to learn more or just find more about what our beautiful city has to offer.”

Although it’s not required, graduating from the Academy is a great step towards serving on a City Board or Commission, or even running for City Council one day!

Class member Eli Bell might have had the most colorful description of the class: “This class is like pulling back the curtain, and instead of the old wizard, you find a collection of people working from different departments and walks of life, all working towards a common goal of making our city as good as it can be”. He added, “The civic leadership academy is a great way to dip your toe into getting more involved in your city”.

That said, other than the connections you can make with other like–minded, engaged community members, the

“ ”

best reward for taking the class is the confidence that comes with knowing how your City works – as an informed resident!

The current Civic Leadership Academy class will graduate in June, and the City will open the application period for the upcoming 2024-2025 class in mid-August.

Stay tuned for more information on how to apply, or check the City Communications page for updates!

This class is like pulling back the curtain, and instead of the old wizard, you find a collection of people working from different departments and walks of life, all working towards a common goal of making our city as good as it can be.

-Eli Bell, Civic Leadership Academy class member

Beauty MEETS Function

Have you been up on North Cameron Street or North Kent Street lately? If so, you’ve probably noticed the ongoing North Cameron Drainage Project, an ambitious project set to transform the City. You might call it a “facelift” for the North End. But what’s it all about?

Over the next two years and $28 million (of which $10 million is being provided by the State Department of Transportation), the North Cameron Drainage Project will help prevent flooding while beautifying the North Cameron/North Kent area. The project will add four large stormwater ponds, replace water and sanitary sewer lines, and replace and install new sidewalks and pavement. The project will also include planting of over 300 trees!

The project (a.k.a. “facelift”) will have several key impacts on residents:

Detours

Phase one of the project is currently underway along North Cameron Street, from Clark Street up to Wyck Street. During this phase, traffic will be one-way northbound along this stretch. Along North Kent Street from Baker Street to Beau Street, the road is closed to non-local traffic. The detours are expected to be in place while work is occurring on Cameron and Kent Streets.

Phase two is projected to start in early 2025 and will involve the closure of Wyck Street from Fairmont Avenue down to North Cameron Street to through traffic.

Protecting Downtown from Flooding

If you have ever driven through a small lake that used to be North Cameron Street, then you know that downtown Winchester is susceptible to flooding! This project will help protect our City from that development.

Beautifying our City

Here’s where the “facelift” comes in. Four new stormwater ponds will be installed as part of this project, and each will have scenic landscaping, fountains, and tasteful fences to keep people from taking a swim.

In addition to these four beautiful ponds, underground stormwater drainage pipes will be installed and updated along North Cameron Street, North Kent Street, Wyck Street, and Fairmont Avenue.

Locations of future stormwater ponds.

Updated Water & Sewer Infrastructure

Ready for a fun fact for trivia night? Winchester’s infrastructure was built before George Washington was President! In fact, it’s the third oldest water infrastructure system in our country.

Now, we should be proud of our water infrastructure –our pipes have lived long lives, keeping water running in and out of our homes and businesses for centuries. Like all of us, these pipes aren’t meant to last forever, though. Let’s send them off to retirement and install new pipes to handle the job.

Repaved Roads

Remember all that talk of revitalization earlier? At the end of the job, the roads in the project area will be repaved, and their sidewalks will be replaced—or installed if none existed before. Imagine taking an afternoon stroll with the family along the newly installed sidewalks, under the over 300 newly planted trees.

Thank you for your patience as our “facelift” moves along. Remember, if you have any questions, you can check out our North Cameron Drainage Project at www.winchesterva. gov/North-Cameron-Drainage and submit a question online if desired. But we think you’ll like the results of the project when it’s complete!

Juneteenth Calendar of Events

North End Summer Kickoff

Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Frederick Douglass Park

598 N. Kent St., Winchester

The Douglas School Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Saturday, June 8th, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.

598 N. Kent St., Winchester

3rd Annual Winchester Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

Friday, June 14th, 2024 |5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Old Town Walking Mall

Lawn Area at 20 N. Loudoun St., Winchester

Berryville 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 15th, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds

890 W. Main St., Berryville

NAACP 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Sunday, June 16th, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

901 Amherst St., Winchester

“ We must keep the faith because we are one people. We are brothers and sisters. We all live in the same house: The American House.”

– John Lewis

Residents Learn About—and Weigh In On—the Future of Ward Plaza

If you live in the City’s Fourth Ward, you might have received a unique invitation in mid-April from the City to attend a Community Meeting at…of all places… Ward Plaza.

Ward Plaza? The largely abandoned (except for Family Dollar) shopping center at the corner of Valley and Weems Avenues?

In fact, the City is embarking on an ambitious effort to reimagine and redevelop four areas of Winchester. This includes the area surrounding Ward Plaza now known as “Cedar Valley.” (In a renaming exercise early this year, residents chose “Cedar Valley” over a host of other suggestions.)

The effort to redevelop targeted areas of the City is called the “Neighborhood Design District” process (affectionately shortened to “NDD”). According to redevelopment expert Alan Simpson, “The NDD process will transform the parts of Winchester that have been identified in the City’s updated Comprehensive Plan as prime targets for revitalization. The process will replace parking lots and dilapidated buildings with new housing, retail, and green spaces for residents.”

Two NDD processes are currently ongoing: Cedar Valley (which includes the Ward Plaza redevelopment), and Cider Hill, the effort to redevelop the neighborhood adjacent to Fairmont Avenue on the City’s north side.

Two additional NDD processes—the redevelopments of Berryville Avenue and Federal Mogul site near Pleasant Valley Boulevard— will be implemented next year.

Importantly, the vision for the future of Ward Plaza, the Cedar Valley neighborhood, and the other Design Districts should incorporate residents’ ideas, priorities, and concerns. For that reason, each NDD is guided by a committee comprised of community members and representatives of our City Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, and the City’s planning team.

The City is also committed to holding regular community meetings to keep residents informed on the progress of the initiative and incorporate their ideas…which brings us back to the invitation to attend a meeting at Ward Plaza!

On April 17, nearly 100 community members stopped by Ward Plaza to learn about—and weigh in on—the plan to revitalize the shopping center and Cedar Valley neighborhood. The City will continue to keep residents informed on the Cedar Valley through periodic email and newsletter updates, as well as future meetings. Residents can also check the NDD page on the City’s website for updates.

Celebrating Community Paramedic Program During Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month? Nearly one in five American adults experience a severe mental health challenge at some point.

But what happens if you find yourself in urgent need of a doctor or mental health provider? You may have been suffering from symptoms for days, and you might live alone or not be in a condition to drive. Without other options, you pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1, hoping that someone can help.

Fortunately, our Community Paramedics are here to help. Our dedicated paramedics connect residents with community resources to get the help they need. In addition to helping our residents stay healthy and safe, the program spares relatively scarce first responder resources, like our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and ambulances, for more acute emergencies.

The Community Paramedic program also helps patients work toward self-sufficiency. Our paramedics connect

patients to community resources, such as local food banks, mental health and addiction support, and medical resources. They also educate residents on using their existing medical equipment (like insulin pumps or oxygen tanks).

The Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) started the Community Paramedic program in February 2022. WFRD is excited to welcome Ashley Hoffmann as its full-time Community Paramedic beginning at the end of May 2024. Ashley comes to the City with 20 years of experience in the Fire and Rescue field, 12 of which are as a paramedic.

The City’s Community Paramedic program provides free services to all residents. To request assistance, please call (540) 662-2298. If you are struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can also call or text 988 to talk to a trained crisis counselor.

(Above) Community Paramedic Shannon Ganoe, (Right) Community Paramedic Ashley Hoffman

Neighborly Advice

Elevator Repair at City Hall Moves Public Meetings for June and July

The elevator at Rouss City Hall will be undergoing repairs in June and July, so the City’s public meetings, including City Council, will be temporarily moved so that all residents can attend.

Outdoor Pool Opens at Jim Barnett Park

The Outdoor Pool at Jim Barnett Park opens on Saturday, May 25, and will be open daily through the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 2. The pool is open on weekdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 6:30 p.m.

North End Open House

Come visit the North End Open House on June 22 to meet with representatives from each City department and hear about City projects on the North End!

• North Cameron Drainage Project

• Cider Hill Neighborhood Design District

• Planting of 300 Trees in the North End

• Affordable Housing

• …and much more!

June 22, 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Douglas School

598 N. Kent St.

Trash Schedule Changes for Independence Day

Due to the Independence Day holiday falling on Thursday, July 4, the trash collection for that day will be moved to Wednesday, July 3. Please note that there will be no yard waste pickup collected on July 3.

Neighborhood Nights: Food, Fun, & Community

Neighborhood Nights will Bring fun, free food, and community to neighborhood parks this Summer! Spend the evening connecting with your community at your neighborhood park. This summer, the City of Winchester will host a series of Neighborhood Nights one Thursday a month from May to August.

What to Expect

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Pickup Party (community clean-up event)

6:30 p.m. – Dusk

Free food, family-friendly activities, fun, and games Dusk

Watch a family-friendly movie in the park Schedule

• June 6 at Park Place Park (2024 Harvest Dr.)

• July 11 at Timbrook Park (210 E. Piccadilly St.)

• August 1 at Weaver Park (167 Bruce St.)

• September 12 at Whittier Park (900 Whittier Ave.)

Moving to Mobility

BikeWalk Winchester and City Working Together to Increase Transit Options

Did you know Winchester offers an increasing number of alternative transportation options? In March, the City launched a new rideshare service, WinReady On Demand. Through WinReady On Demand, residents can get from point A to point B anywhere in the City in about 30 minutes.

In addition, a group of citizens has started a biking and pedestrian advocacy group called ‘BikeWalk Winchester,’ with the mission of making biking and walking safer and more fun.

The two initiatives mean more flexibility and increased mobility for City residents who may currently depend on

driving a car to get around. Many studies, including recent studies from Harvard and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, have shown that increased mobility leads to positive outcomes and economic empowerment, not to mention positive outcomes for tourism and travel.

“Our long-term vision is to make Winchester a safer community for biking and walking, with a robust community of people who choose biking and walking as a primary form of transportation,” says Bike/Walk Winchester member Steve Policastro.

BikeWalk Winchester is working closely with the City and the regional planning board, to build upon goals and initiatives already in place while providing a collective voice representing bicyclists and pedestrians.

A key goal of the group is to get people together and show them that biking and walking can be fun and safe. Go to

“We want to be a city where no matter where you live, you feel safe and comfortable biking and walking for fun, errands, work, or anything else.” -Kara Capelli

BikeWalkWinchester.org/Events to learn more and join an event.

For example, on National Bike to Work Day on May 17, the group collaborated with the Economic Development Authority and the City of Winchester to host a welcome table at Big L’s Bagels, on Picadilly Street. They provided bagels and refreshments to bike commuters who stopped by.

Citizens can participate in BikeWalk Winchester in various ways, such as attending a meeting, volunteering, or participating in an event.

Kara adds: “Ultimately, we want BikeWalk Winchester to be shaped by the people of this City, and we’re excited to see the group evolve. We’d like to thank the City for their continued support as we all work collaboratively to make Winchester a more bike-walkfriendly city!”

Stay tuned for more!

WinReady On Demand... In Demand!

Two months after the City launched WinReady On Demand, an innovative new publicly-operated rideshare service, Winchester residents can’t get enough of WinReady! Demand for the service, which was around 200 rides per day in late March, was trending at 300 to 350 rides per day by the end of April. Riders love the convenience of the point to point service, which promises to get you from point A to point B within about 30 minutes.

City staff continues to explore options to deploy WinReady On Demand resources as efficiently as possible, as well as add new resources, including vehicles and drivers, so WinReady can continue to meet growing public demand for the service.

To try WinReady On Demand for yourself, scan the QR code below to download the WinReady app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Then register and book your first ride! You can also call 540-667-2230 to book a ride. See you on the bus!