Development of Ford’s Village Retirement Community Paused After Partner Withdrawal
Work has come to a halt on Ford’s Village, a proposed 55-plus community near Ford’s Colony, following the withdrawal of Retirement Unlimited Inc. (RUI), the developer responsible for the care facility central to the project.
The original plans for Ford’s Village were approved by James City County’s Board of Supervisors in September 2022, with a scaled-down proposal of 470 units and a continuing care facility. The development was set to include 200 units in a large complex known as The Morgan and 270 single-family and multifamily homes, along with recreation facilities tailored to older adults. Amenities were to include a fitness center, outdoor pool, pickleball courts, walking and biking paths, and pocket parks.
This past summer, site preparation began with tree removal and land clearing. However, RUI recently pulled out of the project, citing concerns about rising construction costs and potential economic instability. Their decision has left the future of Ford’s Village uncertain, as Frye Properties Inc., the Norfolk-based co-developer, cannot proceed with residential construction until the care facility is completed.
Despite this setback, Frye remains optimistic. “At Ford’s Village, we envision creating a vibrant and thriving community that will stand as a testament to excellence and quality within James City County,” said Rock Bell, Frye’s vice president for development. He confirmed that the company is in “active discussions” with new potential partners.
“While this will affect our timeline, it also brings an opportunity to embrace fresh ideas and perspectives that will enhance the community’s long-term success,” Bell said. “We are eager to collaborate with new partners and look forward to bringing this vision to life.”
The development has faced challenges over the years. Originally proposed in 2007, the project was approved in 2008 with plans for 741 units but stalled during the recession. RUI took over the project and scaled it down to address community concerns, including traffic congestion on News Road. The Board of Supervisors ultimately approved the revised plan in a 3-2 vote.
Board member Jim Icenhour, who voted against the project, expressed concern about the impact of RUI’s withdrawal, noting that Frye cannot move forward with construction until another partner is secured. He also worries the site could remain inactive if delays persist.
“We understand the project has been paused for the time being, but we don’t have any information about how long,” said Susan Istenes, James City County’s planning director. “Our role is to ensure that the site is stabilized.”
While the pause is disappointing, I am confident that a new partner will be found and that Ford’s Village will move forward. These types of delays are not uncommon in large-scale developments, and this is just a temporary pause in what will ultimately become a thriving addition to our community.
As more information becomes available, I will provide updates on the progress of Ford’s Village. For now, I remain optimistic that this vision for an active and engaging community for older adults will come to fruition.