1995 |
Design competition sponsored by the Caseys with cash prizes is held for “a new town plan” to be developed on 600 acres bounded by Ironbound Road and extending on both sides of what is now Route 199. 99 designs were submitted, and four finalists were selected.
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1996 |
After refinements and public comment, Cooper Robertson and Partners’ entry was chosen as the winning design.
Winning design for New Town residential area |
1997 |
A Master Plan for a “new urbanism” community was adopted by James City County. The land was divided into 13 sections for the purpose of phased rezoning from agriculture (R-8) to other uses.
27.5 acres are rezoned to mixed use for the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse and New Town United Methodist Church (Section 1).
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1997-2001 |
Period of finding investors, securing public investment, discussions with VDOT, completion of Route 199, and creation of a Design Review Board to review all proposals by developers.
[Note: VDOT’s decision not to permit an overpass on Route 199 reduced the area for development to about 300 acres. The Windsor Meade Marketplace and communities were eventually built west of Route 199 in Sections 12 and 13 but are not commonly referred to as part of New Town.]
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2001 |
James City County approves rezoning for the commercial district of New Town (Sections 2-4 which now include the Bennington, Foundation Square, Abbey Commons, and Savannah Square neighborhoods).
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2002 |
New Town Associates LLC is formed as the “Developer” for New Town.
Ceremonial groundbreaking for first homes in the area. |
2003 |
Construction of the first two streets: Courthouse Street and New Town Avenue.
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2004 |
The New Town Residential Association (NTRA) is officially incorporated. First townhouses are built in Abbey Commons. The first business, The Corner Pocket, opens in New Town.
Master Plan is amended for Sections 3 and 6.
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2005 |
First residents move into residential homes in Abbey Commons (Claude Frederick, 4225 New Town Avenue, first in and still here!)
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2006 |
Most of the Main Street shopping area is complete, including the theater.
New Town 2006 |
2007 |
Savannah Square townhomes are added and welcomed the first resident in July.
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2008 |
Foundation Square and the apartments on the northern edge of the area are completed (currently The Pointe at New Town-Section 3). Development of medical centers/office buildings along Discovery Park Boulevard (Section 6) is underway.
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2009 |
Housing recession slows construction and there is foreclosure of AIG Baker, the developer of Settlers Market shopping area.
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2010 |
NTRA Board of Directors establishes Residential Advisory Board to provide a communications conduit between the Board and homeowners.
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2011 |
Building of detached homes in Charlotte Park (Section 7) begins. Settlers Market commercial development (Section 9) transfers ownership.
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2012 |
New Town Community pool opens.
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2013 |
Chelsea Green is completed.
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2014 |
Developer purchases the last undeveloped section of the New Town community (Section 8). Construction of Village Walk (Section 10) begins.
New Town 2014 |
2015 |
The area around Roper Park-Federal Point and Park’s Edge townhomes-is under construction.
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2017 |
Plan for the last area of New Town, Section 8 (Shirley Park) is approved by James City County.
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2018 |
Groundbreaking for homes in Shirley Park.
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2020 |
Turnover of NTRA control from the developer, New Town Associates LLC, to the homeowners.
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