island to pivot toward tourism just as Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” brought national attention to their wild ponies. Today, those same ponies generate millions in tourism revenue, supporting an economy that hosts over one million visitors annually at the adjacent wildlife refuge and beach. Council member Chris Bott acknowledges the successful transformation while recognizing its ongoing challenges. “A lot of other towns have struggled if they’ve lost their industry or their predominant source of revenue,” he notes.“Chincoteague’s done an excellent job accommodating and changing with the changing industry going into tourism. But along with that, there are a lot of challenges there with infrastructure, basic utilities, even water.” With median home values climbing from $95,900 in 2000 to nearly $350,000 today, the island faces the paradox of success: prosperity that threatens to price out the very workforce sustaining it. REVITALIZING HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Main Street’s transformation is part of a broader strategy to recapture economic vitality in Chincoteague’s historic core. Once home to car dealerships, gas stations, and a commercial dry cleaner, the downtown shifted away from its role as the island’s business center decades ago. Now, armed with new infrastructure capacity, town leaders envision a renaissance. “We are in the process of doing some revitalization on Main Street, and it’s been ongoing for several years,” explains Town Manager Mike Tolbert.“Recently we’ve been able to obtain a sewage plant from a local developer, which is going to allow us to offer some sewage capacity to businesses downtown, which we hope will attract new businesses and allow existing businesses to expand.”The acquisition addresses a fundamental constraint that has limited development for thirty years. Without adequate sewage treatment, potential restaurants, bakeries, and mixed-use developments remained impossible dreams. “We’d like to see businesses downstairs and maybe some apartments upstairs,” Mayor Bowden emphasizes.“I think that really shows encouragement as far as getting people in these areas to live, play, work.” This mixed-use approach follows successful revitalization efforts in other coastal communities, where integrating residential and commercial spaces creates year-round vitality. Tolbert adds that improving pedestrian and bike access forms another crucial component: “It’s more important nowadays than it has been in years past to provide alternatives to transportation by car.” Chamber Executive Director Joanne Moore 21 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 CHINCOTEAGUE, VA
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