Activities coming up and summary of April 12th, 2025 meeting
From: Julie, Alma, Tina and Onie
Many thanks to those of you who attended the Block Captain meeting and/or the quarterly meeting this past Saturday! As always, it was wonderful to see our neighbors and we had some great discussions.
After Tina started us off with some opening remarks, Onie reviewed the role of the block captains:
- The major role is to inform neighbors what is happening in the city that affects us. Block captains are asked to encourage residents on their block(s) to participate in the meetings and neighborhood activities we are offering.
- Currently, a major effort is to get people on our email list as well as to note those who prefer to get written or verbal information due to not using the internet.
- Block captains should encourage people to learn more about Conservation Districts by going to our website, collegeterrace@life, to learn how this would benefit the neighborhoods without the restraints that a national historic district would impose.
Block captains, please ask Onie for the Conservation District flyer she developed and start getting signatures on the petition form in support of Conservation Districts!
Alma gave a report from the recent Town and Gown meeting held at UMW . She shared concerns from neighbors regarding loud music played at a recent UMW event; the next event held was much quieter.
Jon Gerlach and Helen Ross shared their excitement regarding the passage by the DHR (Department of Historic Resources) in acknowledging the unique and historic character of our neighborhood. This may help us in our efforts to get a conservation district overly option for all neighborhoods in Fredericksburg.
Neighbors are beginning to ask great questions about what a “Conservation District” means. For that, please discuss it with your block captain or go to the website (collegeterrace.life), but know that 51% of the College Terrace neighbors would be need to pass this overlay district process so it is important to understand it. Ask your block captain for more information or contact any of us at collegeterrace@yahoo.com.
Jon commented that City Council is looking for more density in Fredericksburg; we are open to that if assured that the infrastructure will support that, especially in the area of electrical grid and the sewer systems.
We are partnering with HFFI (Historic Foundation of Fredericksburg INC.) at Earth Day on Saturday, April 26th, at Old Mill Park. This free festival sponsored by Fred Parks and Recreation (earthdayfred.com) will be filled with live music, activities and delicious foods! Be sure to come and support our efforts to offer Conservation Districts citywide by signing the petition at the HFFI booth from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Please contact Julie at collegeterrace@yahoo.com to sign up for Earth Day to gather signatures in support of Conservation Districts for a one-hour block of time.
On May 17th from 8:30 – 11 a.m. we will be holding our first neighborhood Plant Swap! Bring a plant, get a plant!
- The swap will be held on the driveway between 1614 and 1616 Franklin Street. Join the national effort to include native plants in as many gardens as possible to help insects and birds thrive, but any healthy, pest-free plants are welcome.
- Information sessions including a Bee City USA presentation by Marian Matthews at 10 a.m. will be offered.
- Want a plant, but don’t have one to swap? We will accept donations for the Bee City USA signage and our neighborhood association efforts.
A committee is going to be formed with Tina as the lead to address issues such as noise ordinances, the need for an animal control officer, and parking. If interested in being on that committee, write us at collegeterrace@yahoo.com
Our next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 19, 2025.
Questions? Write us at collegeterrace@yahoo.com!