YORKTOWN — Construction work has begun on the new dockmaster building along the Yorktown riverfront.
Last month, the York County Board of Supervisors approved a $1.8 million contract to design and construct a new dockmaster building at 425 Water St. The structure will replace two smaller existing buildings that housed public restrooms and the dockmaster’s office. Some county offices will be moved elsewhere.
The two buildings, which were built in the 1970s, were torn down this week, paving the way for a new 1,874-square-foot, single-story building that will have climate controlled, ADA-accessible facilities, including restrooms and a guest services area where county staff can accommodate waterfront visitors with information and basic needs.
Approval of the contract came years after the county first recommended replacing the two older buildings. The Historic Yorktown Design Committee rejected plans for a large dockmaster building three times before the current plan passed muster with the Board of Supervisors, which said a new modern building was needed to keep up with what has become a waterfront hub.
County Administrator Mark Bellamy has said the new building will be “an important addition to the waterfront.”
Prior to the demolition, preliminary work performed last week included the removal of several decorative trees, which prompted an outcry by some residents on social media who bemoaned the loss of natural shade.
A York County spokeswoman said, however, that the trees had to be removed, along with others that were at risk of impeding underground infrastructure.
“To maintain a symmetrical appearance, the remaining trees located between the Freight Shed and the old bathroom facilities were also removed,” spokeswoman Gail Whittaker said in a news release. “In addition, the trees were impeding the view of the Riverwalk Landing pier, which was a public safety concern.”
Once construction work is completed in late spring/early summer 2025, the county will consider landscaping options, including new trees, Whittaker said.
Whittaker also said that events such as Yorktown Market Days and the outdoor concerts will continue as planned. Fencing erected for the building project includes a small portion of the green lawn near the performance stage, but the remainder of the lawn area is available for public use, she said.
Kim O’Brien Root, kimberly.root@virginiamedia.com
