by AnnGardner Eubank
KILMARNOCK—The Town of Kilmarnock’s Business District revitalization efforts are beginning to take shape as the project’s consulting firm seeks community-wide input.
During a Monday, October 19, Council meeting, planning and zoning director Marshall Sebra said EPR Consulting, whom the town is working with for the revitalization project, has been engaging with property owners within the project area to better understand the community and their needs.
The project area is focused along the downtown blocks bounded by South Main Street, West Church Street, School Street and Irvington Road.
According to Sebra, the project will aim to determine best opportunities to improve businesses, buildings and public spaces.
The town was previously awarded $75,000 in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to go towards the project.
As the project stands now, EPR is seeking input from property owners, stakeholders, visitors, residents, and anyone who spends time in Kilmarnock. According to Sebra, a community survey is available at KilmarnockDowntown.com for anyone to provide feedback.
“If you have any interest in the downtown of Kilmarnock, take this survey,” Sebra said.
Budget adjustments
In other news, Council held a first reading for an amendment to the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Originally adopted in June, the budget totaled $9,035,533, the amendment calls for an additional $1,593,000 in estimated expenditures.
According to town manager Susan Cockrell, the added expenditures stem from additional administrative materials like batteries, legal fees that are on the horizon, real estate fees and plans on putting the comprehensive plan out to bid, as well as continued improvements for both phase one and two towards the Waste Water Treatment Plant enhancements.
Cockrell noted that some $703,000 of the new revenue to match expenditures will be sourced from grant dollars that had come available that were previously approved for waste water treatment projects.
A special called meeting is planned at 9 a.m. Thursday, October 22, where council may take action.
Economic development
Council unanimously adopted a resolution to amend incentives regarding the Kilmarnock Enterprise Zone.
According to economic development coordinator Sharon Phillips, the intention is to reduce the economic barrier for new businesses. The incentives include a shorter and stronger Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) requirement for new businesses in their start up period.
For example, restaurants would receive 50% reduction of applicable per-seat water and sewer facility charges and 50% rebate of the applicable town water and sewer connection fee, while preserving the underlying facility fee that supports long-term system investments.
For commercial lodging development and expansion, there would be a 50% reduction of applicable per-room/per-unit water and sewer facility charges and a 50% rebate of the water and sewer connection fee.
For laundromat development and expansion, the incentive states qualifying per-machine water and sewer facility charges be paid over a period of up to five years pursuant to a written agreement with the town.
Mike Bedell moved to adopt the amendments, Rebecca Nunn seconded the motion. Cynthia Scott, Matt Cunningham, Mae Umphlett, Alice Cooper, Bedell and Nunn all voted in favor and the motion passed, 6-0.
In other news, Bedell moved to approve an agreement with Three Rivers Forestry LLC to sell timber land at Technology Park Drive. The motion passed, 6-0.
Umphlett announced the town’s annual “Artfully Crafted” event will be held November 14.
RELATED READ: https://rrecord.com/kilmarnock-invites-input-on-downtown-revitalization-plans/
