Visit the Photo Place

Silver, council to talk

City officials and the developers will discuss the Celebrate Virginia project and concerns council members have about the development.

By ELIZABETH WATERS

Date published: 1/4/2003

It's no secret that the relationship between the Fredericksburg City Council and the city's most prominent developer has been strained since three of Mayor Bill Beck's allies took office in July.

But the council and the developer, the Silver Cos., will try to turn over a new leaf in a get-together Tuesday night at City Hall.

They are planning to discuss the company's plans for the Celebrate Virginia tourism development and the concern of some council members that the city doesn't have enough control over the project.

Silver Cos. Chief Executive Officer Larry Silver also may announce the names of two hotels to be built there and the name of a company that will build a convention center on the site, according to some council members.

Silver could not be reached for comment this week. Silver Cos. Vice President Jud Honaker would say only that Silver plans to announce some Celebrate Virginia tenants.

Silver Cos. representatives also will make a detailed presentation updating the council on the project's progress, Honaker said.

But the point of the meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall's second-floor conference room, is not merely to make presentations and announcements. Council members and the Silver Cos. say they hope the session will help heal some old wounds.

Councilman Matt Kelly, a member of the Silver-wary council majority, said it's important to develop a good working relationship with the company.

"The bottom line is, I'm never going to get a Christmas card from Larry and Jud," he said. "But they are the biggest developer; they've got the biggest chunk of land. We need to be able to work with them."

Honaker agreed that it's time to find some common ground.

"I think we've got to forget about the past, start fresh and move forward. I think a lot of times when there are emotions involved, that can be difficult," he said.

The Silver Cos.' planned Celebrate Virginia project and nearly-complete Central Park retail center are the only properties in the city zoned Planned Development Commercial (PDC).

Follow us on

Read more stories about Fredericksburg
Date published: 1/4/2003