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Resident urges return of Winter Garden patio as council clarifies ownership
Summary
At Jamestown's meeting a longtime resident, Geraldine O'Connor, praised downtown culture and asked why the Winter Garden Plaza patio was removed; council clarified the plaza is owned by Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and the change was a business decision, not a city closure.
Geraldine O'Connor, a downtown resident, used her public-comment time to praise Jamestown’s music, culture and outdoor-adventure tourism and to urge continued support for downtown events.
O'Connor said she missed the small outdoor patio at Winter Garden Plaza, where she used to sit and listen to bands during Third Thursdays. She singled out Joel Peterson, the owner of the nearby wine seller, as a major contributor to downtown events and asked why customers can no longer use the patio area.
Council leadership responded that Winter Garden Plaza is owned by Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and that changes to the patio were a business decision by that organization during a reorganization, not a direct action by the city. President Brown (presiding) confirmed the plaza property is not city-owned.
O'Connor said she hoped downtown businesses would continue to sponsor community activities and suggested promoting the 'downtowner' publication to raise local awareness. The council also confirmed that Third Thursday events will continue, while noting that private-property patio access may be subject to the owner’s decisions.
The exchange concluded with thanks to O'Connor for speaking; no formal agenda action on the plaza was recorded in the meeting minutes.
