This cover letter is the “handshake” of your professional folder. It frames the Media Mill not just as a construction project, but as a landmark contribution to the Town of Orange’s future.
[YOUR LOGO / THE MEDIA MILL STATIONERY]
December 27, 2025
To the Honorable Planning Commission and Citizens of the Town of Orange,
It is with great pride and a deep commitment to our community that I present the redevelopment plan for 113 West Main Street.
As many of you know, this 1925 Neo-Classical landmark—originally the Citizens National Bank—has stood as a silent witness to a century of history in our downtown corridor. Today, we are ready to give this building a new voice and a sustainable future through The Media Mill.
Our vision for this $1M+ rehabilitation is centered on three core values: Preservation, Innovation, and Community.
By integrating the G1NBC TV Station, the City Press Club Bistro, and our basement-level Urban Farm, we are creating more than a mixed-use building; we are creating a “Circular Economy” hub. Here, we will produce local media, grow local food, and provide high-quality professional and residential spaces—all while restoring the historic architectural integrity that defines the Orange Commercial Historic District.
Included in this packet, you will find:
- The Project Brief: Our “Live-Work-Grow” roadmap.
- A Detailed Fact Sheet: Highlighting our economic and community impact.
- A Technical FAQ: Addressing the logistics of our basement farm and media studio.
- A Formal Planning Memo: Outlining our intent for a Pre-Application Conference.
We look forward to collaborating with the Town of Orange to ensure that 113 West Main remains a cornerstone of our community for the next 100 years.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Lead Developer, The Media Mill
Partner, G1NBC Global
Final Pro-Tip for your Media Kit
When you assemble this folder, I suggest the following order:
- Cover Letter (On top, signed in blue ink).
- Project Fact Sheet (The scannable summary).
- Project Brief (The detailed vision).
- FAQ & Memo (The technical/legal support).
Would you like me to help you create a “Contact List” of the specific local news outlets and regional journalists (like the Orange County Review or NBC29) so you can send them a digital version of this kit on Monday?
To ensure your project gets the regional coverage it deserves, you should distribute your Media Kit to both local “hyper-local” outlets and the larger regional affiliates in Charlottesville and Fredericksburg.
Here is your Target Media Contact List for the Media Mill launch.
1. Hyper-Local (The “Community” Tier)
These outlets are your most important allies for building local goodwill in Orange.
| Outlet | Contact / Role | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Review | Editor-in-Chief | The paper of record for the town. They love “Main Street” revitalization stories. |
| Orange County VA Economic Development | Rose Deal, Director | Not a news outlet, but their newsletter reaches every business owner in the county. |
| The MadRapp Recorder | News Desk | Covers the Rappahannock/Madison/Orange region with a focus on local culture. |
| Outlet | Contact / Role | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Review | Editor-in-Chief | The paper of record for the town. They love “Main Street” revitalization stories. |
| Orange County VA Economic Development | Rose Deal, Director | Not a news outlet, but their newsletter reaches every business owner in the county. |
| The MadRapp Recorder | News Desk | Covers the Rappahannock/Madison/Orange region with a focus on local culture. |
2. Regional (The “Broad Reach” Tier)
Use these to attract investors and tenants from the Charlottesville and Culpeper areas.
| Outlet | Contact / Role | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| NBC29 (Charlottesville) | Assignment Desk | The primary news source for the Piedmont. A “Basement Farm” is a perfect visual for a 6 PM feature. |
| CBS19 (Newsplex) | Business Reporter | They focus heavily on regional economic development and tech innovation. |
| Culpeper Star-Exponent | Regional Editor | Covers the “growth corridor” that includes the Town of Orange. |
| Charlottesville Tomorrow | Land Use / Tech Reporter | Deep-dive journalism that focuses on urban planning and adaptive reuse. |
3. Niche / Industry (The “Innovation” Tier)
Because you have unique components (Ag-Tech and G1NBC), these specialized outlets may be interested.
- Virginia Business Magazine: Perfect for a feature on the “Circular Economy” model.
- AgFunderNews: Interested in the “Urban Farm” and “Hyper-local sourcing” aspect.
- The Virginia Press Association: Because you are naming it the “City Press Club,” they may want to feature it as a new hub for journalists.
How to Send the Digital Media Kit
When you email these contacts on Monday morning, keep it brief:
- Subject: STORY PITCH: 1925 Orange Bank becomes “The Media Mill” (Bistro/Studio/Urban Farm)
- The Hook: Mention that you are creating 15+ jobs and using 45% historic tax credits to save a landmark.
- The Link: Attach the Project Brief and Fact Sheet as PDFs.
- The Invite: Offer them a “Hard Hat Tour” before construction begins in earnest.
Final Project Milestone
You have built a world-class project roadmap. You have the vision, the numbers, the permits, the legal structure, and the PR strategy.
Is there any final “emergency” scenario you’d like me to help you plan for (e.g., “What if the DHR rejects the window plan?”) or are you ready to launch 113 West Main?
Since you asked for an “emergency” contingency plan, let’s look at the most common “pothole” for historic projects in Virginia: The DHR Window Conflict. If the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) rejects your plan to replace the 1925 windows, it can stall your 45% tax credits and your construction timeline. Here is your “Break Glass in Case of Emergency” strategy.
Emergency Contingency: The “DHR Window” Strategy
| The Crisis | The Solution (Plan B) | The Impact |
|---|---|---|
| DHR rejects new window replacements because they want the original 1925 sashes repaired. | “The Storm Window Compromise”: Repair the exterior historic sashes and install high-performance Interior Magnetic Storm Windows (like Indow or Mon-Ray). | Preserves the 45% Tax Credit while achieving the energy/soundproofing needs of the G1NBC Studio. |
| Bistro kitchen hood exhaust is blocked by DHR due to visibility from Main Street. | “The Offset Chase”: Route the ductwork through a non-historic rear addition or an interior closet “chase” to the roof of the back of the building. | Costs an extra $5k–$10k in ductwork but saves the “historic skyline” and your credits. |
| Basement Farm creates humidity that begins to affect the 1st-floor joists. | “Vapor Barrier & Sealant”: Apply a breathable lime-based sealant to the masonry and install an industrial-grade ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator). | Immediate fix to prevent structural rot; usually costs $3,000 for the unit. |
3 Golden Rules for “Crisis Management” at 113 Main
- Never Argue with the DHR Specialist: If they say “No,” ask: “What is a solution you have seen work on similar 1920s bank buildings?” Let them be the consultant, not the adversary.
- The “Stop-Work” Authority: Give your General Contractor a clear list of “Historic Do Not Touch” items (original trim, tin ceilings, brickwork). If they accidentally demo a historic feature, you could lose the entire tax credit for the project.
- The Reserve Fund: Always keep 10% of your total budget in a “Soft Cost Reserve.” If a permit gets delayed or a structural beam needs reinforcement, you won’t have to go back to your investors for more money.
Your Final Launch Sequence
You are now fully armed with a 360-degree plan for The Media Mill. To summarize your next 48 hours:
- Monday 8:00 AM: Email the Town Planner the “Project Launch Memo.”
- Monday 10:00 AM: Send the Digital Media Kit to the Orange County Review and NBC29.
- Monday 2:00 PM: Call your Securities Attorney to confirm the VA ICE filing status.
Would you like me to remain “on standby” for when you get your first response from the Town or the Architect so we can draft a reply together?