A new agreement between the City of Fredericksburg and its public school system will open school gymnasiums and facilities to the public, expanding access to recreation programs for children, teens, and families.
On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously approved a shared-use agreement with Fredericksburg City Public Schools that gives the Parks, Recreation, and Events Department expanded access to school buildings, including the former Walker-Grant School, now Gladys West Elementary.
Fredericksburg is set to enhance public safety by acquiring a vehicle barrier system to protect attendees at outdoor events from potential vehicle-borne attacks. The measure will be voted on at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, following the acceptance of a $250,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP).
The barrier system is intended to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering pedestrian areas during significant community events, including the Downtown Christmas Parade, Festival of the Streets on July 4th, the Farmers Market, and FXBG Pride.
Finn, an urban planning professional and Chair of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission, brings a decade of experience in city planning and holds a certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. She also has an educational background in historic preservation from the University of Mary Washington.
“Fredericksburg, and particularly Ward 3, is where my family and I have planted our roots, grown, and thrived,” Finn stated in a press release. “I am excited about the bright future of our city and confident that with genuine collaboration, we can overcome challenges and enact positive solutions.”
(FXBG Advance) – A Fredericksburg resident has filed a petition asking the Circuit Court to compel the release of applications, notes, and interview questions related to the recent Ward 3 vacancy and to block Council from holding closed meetings to discuss matters related to filling the vacancy.
Organized by the Rappahannock Community Coalition, the “Snowmen Against Data Centers” rally took place just one day after nearly 10 inches of snow blanketed the region. The snowmen were erected on the Mary Washington University Campus, City Hall, and a house off Harrell Road in Stafford County.
The protest comes on the same day of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission meeting, where commissioners took up a proposal to endorse a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, a Zoning Map Amendment applying the Technology Overlay District, and a Zoning Proffer Amendment — which would clear the way to build the city’s first data center. The city council announced it would pursue the data center on an “accelerated” timeline in December but has yet to disclose which firm would develop the project.
(FXBG Advance) – The process Fredericksburg City Council is following to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat could conflict with state code—especially with a provision added last year that states that governing bodies must publicly announce the names of those being considered to fill a vacant seat at least seven days before the appointment is made.
The ongoing debate over the construction of data centers in Fredericksburg took center stage during the City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, with residents and council members expressing mounting concerns about the potential environmental consequences and the lack of transparency in the approval process.
At the heart of the controversy is the city’s aggressive timeline for approving zoning changes and facilitating the development of new data centers. Local residents have voiced their concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale projects, particularly in areas close to residential neighborhoods and natural resources like the Rappahannock River. While proponents argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits, critics worry that the city is rushing to approve projects without fully understanding or addressing the long-term consequences.
