Fredericksburg's Visitor Center moving soon to new, nearby location

Fredericksburg's new Visitor Center is expected to open on Nov. 1, city officials announced Wednesday.

City spokeswoman Sonja Cantu said the center, currently at 706 Caroline St., is moving to the first floor of the nearby Executive Plaza at 601 Caroline St. The renovated facility is significantly larger, more modern and provides better accessibility for visitors with physical challenges, Cantu said.

Rita McClenny, the president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, said she was impressed after touring the new location. "It will most assuredly be a top-tier facility," McClenny said. "The city of Fredericksburg is to be commended for their continued efforts to lead in this important segment of Virginia's growing economy."

Discussions regarding the new visitor center began in 2016 and included input from the public, according to Cantu. In 2020, City Council adopted a report from a national consulting firm that included a recommendation to relocate the center, and Executive Plaza was identified as a favorable location. The city Economic Development Authority bought the property in December 2022 for $1.26 million.

Enteros Design was later hired to provide architectural plans for the new center, and in December of last year City Council appropriated funds and awarded a contract to the low bidder, Paddox LLC. A companion project involved a new office for the city's Department of Economic Development and Tourism on the third floor of the building.

Construction on the third floor started early this year and the first floor Visitor Center work began a few months later. The Economic Development and Tourism office has already moved into the building.

The current center will close Oct. 23, Cantu said. A temporary satellite office will operate inside the Courtyard Marriott downtown from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31. The current center was sold on May 31 to Jarrell Properties for $1.337 million.

Cantu said the new location will feature expanded information regarding the city's tourism partners, including the Fredericksburg Nationals, the National Park Service and the University of Mary Washington. Cantu pointed out that there is a large parking deck next to the new facility and the train station is just a block away.

Keith Epps:

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