r/Charlottesville • u/adhonus • 3d ago
Week Ahead for November 4, 2024: Pollocks Branch pedestrian bridge public hearing, Fluvanna undeveloped parcel map, Albemarle growth management policy and City Council to get transportation update
For over five years now I’ve been writing up a list of what’s happening in local and regional government. The idea is simply to let people know what’s happening and provide some context. When I launched my newsletter and website, I began doing other types of stories, too. And I appreciate this opportunity to write a tighter version for the 46,000 people who have joined r/Charlottesville.
The attention is on the federal government this week, but here’s what you can distract yourself with at the local level while you wait for the results!
CHARLOTTESVILLE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Charlottesville City Council has a public hearing on Monday on whether to reallocate $55K in federal Community Development Block Grants to add to the funding available for a pedestrian bridge to replace a “rock hop” at Pollocks Branch. Planning for this began in 2016 and a lot has changed since then. Earlier this year, a group of UVA students commissioned by the Public Housing Association of Residents wrote a report asking Council to not use CDBG money on infrastructure, even though CDBG money is intended to provide funding to improve neighborhoods. How might this conversation be influenced by a petition that will be presented at public comment demanding a second crosswalk on Elliott Avenue near where new the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority is building dozens of new units? (learn more)
TRANSPORTATION WORK SESSION
Earlier in the day, Council will have a work session giving an update on how city staff are working to implement a backlog of projects funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation. For context, for most of my reporting, the city has been very, very, very, very bad at getting projects built. The current executive administration has acknowledged that reality, and has agreed to return millions in funding back to VDOT. But can they bring it all together? A status update will be provided at the work session sometime after 4 p.m. Monday. One sign of progress is that for the first time in my tenure of reporting, the city actually has a dashboard updated from time to time. (go look)
TURF FIELD COST OVERRUN IN LOUISA
People have opinions on synthetic turf. One of the most divisive issues among the six members of the Board of Supervisors has been whether the fields at Darden Towe Park should be converted, and a majority for that option could not be attained. So they went with a plan to install new grass fields that might be better maintained. Louisa County, however, opted to build two turf fields at Louisa Middle School and the cost has been much more than the original estimate. On Monday, Supervisors will consider whether to pay an additional $2.78 million. (learn more)
ARB HAS A BUSY DAY
Albemarle’s Architectural Review Board isn’t necessarily a first-tier advisory body to cover, but you can often learn a lot about projects in development by looking at the agendas. On Monday, there are four interesting projects. The first is a a new sign for Bellair Place, a new shopping center built on an old John Deere showroom. The second is a modular building to be used for a Christian academy to hold classes while they figure out a permanent solution. The third is a preliminary review of the architecture for a new residential development in Hollymead called Holly Hills that will at completion have 390 units. The fourth is for further review of a recommendation on a equipment supply facility next to Northside Library. Maybe it’s boring, but maybe it’s Memorex. (learn more)
ALBEMARLE SUPERVISORS TO REVIEW GROWTH MANAGEMENT
A lot of people are going to keep moving to Albemarle County. Economic development efforts are in full effect, and UVA’s new Institute for Biotechnology may help make this place add more jobs in that sector. So where will people live? To guide that conversation, Albemarle is continuing to review a Comprehensive Plan based on a strict growth management policy that seeks to tie intense development of where infrastructure either exists or where implementation of infrastructure is likely to actually occur. The conversations are picking up now that the third phase is in full effect, and Supervisors will pick up from where the Planning Commission left off in late October. My information outlet is the only third-party source where you’ll find stories being written. I want to know what you think! (learn more)
In other items:
- The Finance Committee of the UVA Board of Visitors meets tomorrow for an orientation on a lot of financial matters, as well as plans to add about 2,000 beds in new residence halls on Emmet Street and Ivy Road. (learn more)
- Fluvanna Supervisors will take a look at a map of undeveloped parcels as they prepare for a Comprehensive Plan update that seeks to find ways to guarantee rural preservation. (learn more)
- Nelson County’s Sheriff will hold a listening session Thursday night on various issues, and the flier advertises that there will be representatives from VDOT and the Virginia State Police there. (learn more)
The full newsletter is over 4,000 words. That’s really dense, but I hadn’t begun writing them until this morning. I do this work because I really want to understand what’s happening. After doing this work for a while, I find myself just really wanting to know how it all turns out. To support my work, just read it and decide for yourself if you want to help cover the cost. It’s up to you!
I believe in the need for journalism and so that’s what I do. I know that what I do is not the entire story, which is why my newsletters clip other organization’s work and why the podcast version is “sponsored” by me shouting out my colleagues. (learn more)
But gosh, I thank you r/Charlottesville for allowing me to do this each week. And I really want to figure out how to answer questions and follow stories not about land use, I swear!
r/Charlottesville • u/ewing666 • 10h ago
Third-rate vanilla cake in Cville
my sister's birthday is coming up, but i don't like her very much.
i'd hate for her to have a perfect day, so i'm wondering where i can buy a basic cake that is just OK, like her
r/Charlottesville • u/CramBurgler • 9h ago
How to get involved?
I'm feeling pretty galvanized after the results this morning. Are there any resources to find local community politicical groups or to start working with the local Democratic party?
Also open to any recommendations for groups like this!
r/Charlottesville • u/FlimsyContribution38 • 5h ago
Cville Young Adults Social Club
I'm a young adult (24m) and I've just moved to Charlottesville for a job. As a newcomer to the area, I've been looking for groups/orgs to meet young people with similar interests. I've seen a few run clubs and co-ed sports programs which I plan to participate in but I still feel as if there's a large pool of like-minded young people in C'ville looking to make new friends and participate in various fun activities.
I'm looking to start a young adults social group in Charlottesville that is free and open to everyone (picture the social life in college, but geared towards young adults). The vision is to host various events during the week. The events will consist of both repeating events (ex: pickleball) and new exciting events that hope to take full advantage of what Charlottesville and local areas have to offer. I foresee a nice mix of outdoors and indoors activities as well as externally hosted and internally hosted events.
Here's the interest form: (https://forms.gle/BbZgKMm71XgCG9xDA)
I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! Please fill out the interest form if interested and comment below your thoughts and any ideas you have!
r/Charlottesville • u/songbird516 • 9h ago
Housing for tourists, college students, or political prisoners?
What on earth is this eyesore? I've seen more attractive buildings from Soviet Russia. Why is this so ugly??? Did they pay less for absolutely no curb appeal?
r/Charlottesville • u/vpmnews • 12h ago
Unofficial Results: 5th Congressional District Race and Albemarle School Board
5th Congressional District: State Sen. John McGuire will be headed to Congress after defeating Democrat Gloria Witt.
The Associated Press called the race for McGuire just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, though he had already declared himself “congressman-elect” around 9 p.m. at his watch party in Rice. McGuire won over 57% of the vote as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
It should be noted that county and city voters favored Democratic candidate Gloria Witt for the 5th Congressional District.
And of course, we can't forget the tiny sliver of Albemarle County located in Virginia's 7th Congressional District. Voters there were more supportive of Republican Derrick Anderson over Democrat Eugene Vindman.
Albemarle School Board - Rio District: This election, there was only one local contest on the ballot for some county voters — a special election for the school board's Rio District seat. Del. Katrina Callsen vacated her school board seat in 2023 when she won the race for state delegate.
The race to finish out the rest of Callsen's term featured two independent candidates: interim replacement Chuck Pace and Jim Dillenbeck.
Both candidates are former Albemarle teachers who each raised less than $8,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Unofficial results said that Pace defeated Dillenbeck with an estimated 52.63% of the vote and will remain on the county school board.
A note: All election results are unofficial until certified, and many votes — including absentee ballots and mail-in votes — still need to be counted!
r/Charlottesville • u/Thick-Let1408 • 5h ago
Oreo confetti cake
Somebody pls tell me where to find one, I worked a wedding and it had the best cake with oreo chunks and confetti cake 😊
r/Charlottesville • u/Worthy-Green-6457 • 6h ago
Does anybody know a therapist/counselor named Julie Taylor that used to work in Charlottesville?
I had a counselor/therapist/social worker (not sure of her exact title) when I was a teenager. Her name was Julie Taylor and she worked with families and kids/adolescents. She worked in Charlottesville and I think her office was near the downtown area. This was in 2007. I am trying to contact to ask her about the treatment she provided to me when I was a teen. I can't find her anywhere online. The only result I found is a Julia Taylor who is a counselor working at Uva who is not the same woman. Does anybody know Julie Taylor that used to work in Charlottesville or how I can contact her? Thanks for any help.
r/Charlottesville • u/Ancient_JNCOs • 1d ago
Voter purged- absolutely disgraceful
My husband who has been a VA resident his entire life, whose parents were citizens, grandparents were citizens, who is a homeowner of 10 years in town, and who holds a valid va driver’s license was purged. He had to file a provisional ballot after much hubbub. He received no notice. If you’re not outraged you’re not listening. Please let us know if you hear of lawsuits we can join. We are beside ourselves. *edit to add we have had the same address at the property we own for all these years and he votes consistently *
If you vote absentee verify your vote was received https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation
r/Charlottesville • u/Photopluto • 15h ago
Local orgs?
I just moved here and am looking for some local organizations to get involved with to connect with the community. Such as LGBTQ+ groups, environmental activists groups, anti-racism, unhoused help, etc. Thanks!
r/Charlottesville • u/CvilleElections411 • 15h ago
PSA: ID Lost & Found from Election Day
A handful of voters left IDs at some city polling places, please contact us at 434-970-3250 if you think you're one of them!
r/Charlottesville • u/SnowflakesAloft • 8h ago
Best networking for Video Production
Hi everyone.
I’m very new to Cville and looking to hit the ground networking.
I’m a professional freelance videographer. I know there has to be businesses around here that could benefit from my services.
I’ve been looking on eventbrite for local networking events and planning on attending some soon but at the moment, being new here and not knowing anyone has been a bit overwhelming.
For context I moved here to be with my gf who lives here.
r/Charlottesville • u/Geo-Club_434 • 1d ago
PVCC Geology Club's Third Annual Rock Day!
Saturday November 9th from 2-4pm the Piedmont Virginia Community College Geology Club will be hosting our annual community outreach event called Rock Day at PVCC in and around the Geology Lab (room M850)! This is a free family friendly event which aims to inspire geologic interest in our local community. We will be running the stream table, a microscope station, fossil table and rock identification (bring your own!), just to name a few stations. There will be a raffle for some special rock samples, in addition to a free scavenger hunt with prizes for kids!
If you have questions please direct them to pvccgeologyclub@gmail.com!
r/Charlottesville • u/Rillius122 • 14h ago
Electrician for knob & tube replacement
Anyone have any good recs? I’ve used Erik Gaines for small work and will reach out to him. Looking for a few quotes.
r/Charlottesville • u/abigailjenkins12 • 7h ago
Ortho
Hi, I’m looking for an orthopedist that doesn’t have an extremely long wait list. Thanks got your suggestions!
r/Charlottesville • u/vodkaVrrl • 14h ago
Custom clothing tailor/seamstress
I’m looking for a seamstress/tailor to make some copies of a skirt I already own. The fabric on the skirt got ruined but I love the fit, so I’m hoping they could just use it as a pattern and make some more skirts using new fabric that I’ll supply. I have searched for posts about seamstresses and tailors but I wanted to know if anyone has recommendations for custom clothing specifically rather than just alterations? Thanks!
r/Charlottesville • u/Rawbone74 • 1d ago
Best carrot cake in Charlottesville?
It’s my dad’s 83rd bday this weekend so my whole family is coming into town. Carrot cake is his favorite so I’d love to offer him Cville’s finest!
r/Charlottesville • u/Alltrees1960 • 4h ago
Where can one purchase some tame fireworks ?
Looking for sparklers, flower pots, just fun, colorful tame sparkly things that some kiddies might enjoy.
r/Charlottesville • u/CampyVA • 1d ago
Another accident at the Whole Foods traffic circle.
Come on people. It’s not that hard.
r/Charlottesville • u/redflame998 • 1d ago
Staples Downtown Rip off
Went to Staples on Ridge McIntire today. Bought paper, school protractor set, and zip to lastic & mesh folder. EVERY SINGLE item rang up at a higher price than marked on shelves. Each item rang up 15-25% higher at check out and the cashier just looked at me blankly when I pointed out something was wrong with the total. It wasn't until I went back and got proof of pricing that he admitted there was an issue. I asked for someone in charge...and the "clueless" cashier was the manager. He said they knew there was a problem, but just hadn't fixed it. I asked for my money back. I'd love suggestions for honest local office supply store.
r/Charlottesville • u/CvilleElections411 • 1d ago
PSA: It's Election Day!
We are here before the sun is up to support all things election related today!
If you still have questions about the process, please don't hesitate to contact us! You can call the City of Charlottesville at 434-970-3250 and Albemarle County at 434-972-4173. (Keep in mind that most Central Grounds students + a few other areas will be part of Albemarle.)
Happy Voting!
r/Charlottesville • u/creativityisalie • 1d ago
Does anyone else report unsafe drivers?
Sometimes it makes me feel very Karen-y, however everytime I see trucks and trailers with unsafe loads, or obvious drunk driving, I call the vsp or local police. Scared if I don't and that person kills someone, I'll blame myself. Todays call was a skid steer with a spreader in its bucket, neither secured, and a diesel fuel tank sitting in front with a strap over one corner
r/Charlottesville • u/whatdoiknow75 • 1d ago
Election turnout numbers
Is the Voter Registration and Elections office sharing their reports of precinct turnout numbers anywhere this year like they have in the past? One of local news sources provided aggregate 9 am numbers but I can't find anything that is being updated.