The Williston Community Redevelopment Agency is proposing a major facelift for Block 12, the city’s old business district. The CRA is holding a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. today on the project.

By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            A special meeting of the Williston Community Redevelopment Agency today at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall will reveal the proposed future design of Block 12, the city’s old business district.

            Block 12 is the large cluster of mostly vacant business buildings along U.S. 27A and Main St opposite City Hall. Most of the buildings are dilapidated and blighted looking structures.

            City Planning Director Jackie Gorman and the CRA will reveal an artist’s rendering of what they think the buildings in Block 12 would look like after being redesigned. It’s a completely new design for the front of the buildings.

            Gorman said the long range plan is to build a performing arts center in Block 12 and redesign the front portion of the buildings to bring back a vigorous business community at the location.

            The city has been working to purchase parking space for Block 12 and recently purchased a building as part of its efforts. The City is proposing to redesign of the building fronts with a 50/50 public private partnership between the building owners and the city.

            Gorman said city will have to research cultural grants that might be available for the redevelopment efforts and she would like to put together a focus group that will be involved in the revival of Block 12.

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City of Williston Meeting Announcement January 13, 2020; Posted January 13, 2020