December 3, 2024: Charlottesville Planning Commission reviews $187.5M capital improvement program for FY26-FY30
Plus: The Charlottesville Fire Department has details on a November 25 fire in the parking lot at Jackson Via Elementary
One out of seven days is a Tuesday. It’s much more difficult to state with certainty how many Tuesdays there are in a year. In an existence with the possibility of infinite universes, perhaps there is one where every day is a Tuesday. Taco lovers would rejoice! For now, it is December 3, 2024 and this is Charlottesville Community Engagement. I’m Sean Tubbs, and the pico de gallo is on the house!
In today’s installment:
The Charlottesville Fire Department has released a preliminary report on a recent parking lot fire at Jackson-Via Elementary
The University of Virginia’s plans for new residence halls on Ivy Road will go before the Board of Visitors this week
The BOV’s Buildings and Grounds Committee will also take a look at the schematic design for the Center for the Arts
The Charlottesville Planning Commission gets an overview of the draft Capital Improvement Program for FY26 and four years beyond
A very quick attempt to restore the “price drops feature” that didn’t work but I’m leaving it in anyway
First-shout: Charlottesville Jazz Society
One thing about Charlottesville is that there are a lot of places to go out and see live music. The Charlottesville Jazz Society helps get the word out about performers who are advancing the artform in our area. This upcoming weekend is a great time to get out there and hear what it’s all about and the Charlottesville Jazz Society can help you with their calendar. Here’s a sample of what’s coming up to plan accordingly.
Thursday December 5: All level musicians welcome to the Jazz Jam with the Jefferson Jazz Jammers, The Center at Belvedere, 6-8 pm, 757-784-5530
Friday December 6: Vocalist Stephanie Nakasian with bassist Karl Kimmel, 41 Ashlawn Blvd at Lake Monticello, 6-8:30 pm, Call 434-591-0106 for reservations, no cover
Friday December 6: Cecile McLorin Salvant, Camp Concert Hall, 7:30 pm [tickets] (discount code JAZZ20)
Friday December 6: Zuzu’s Hot 5, WTJU’s Offbeat Roadhouse, 8-9 pm, 434-924-5485
Saturday December 7: Vocalist Tina Hashemi, Southwest Mountains Vineyards, 1-4 pm, 434-212-3244
Saturday December 7: Berto & Vincent Latin and Gipsy Rumba Guitar Duo, Glass House Winery, 2:30 pm, 434-975-0094
Saturday December 7: C’ville Jazz Congregation, Albemarle CiderWorks, 2:30-4:30 pm, 434-297-2326
Saturday December 7: Swing Dance with Zuzu’s Hot 5, Potter’s Craft Cider, 4:30-8:30 pm, 434-244-2767
Saturday December 7: Lake Anna Jazz presents Swing-a-Ding-Dong introductory dance class and dinner with Vocalists Tina Hashemi and Roger Reynolds and Swingtopia Big Band, Everleigh Vineyards & Brewing Company, 6-9 pm, Reservations 804-356-0059
Sunday December 8: Beleza Duo with Madeline Holly-Sales/vocals & keys, Berto Sales/guitar, Glass House Winery, 2-5 pm, 434-975-0094
Sunday December 8: Charles Owens Trio, Doyle Hotel, 6-9 pm, 434-365-3890
Thursday December 12: John D’earth and the UVA Jazz Ensemble, Rapture, 8 pm,434-293-9526
Charlottesville Fire Department releases investigation results in Jackson-Via Elementary fire
The Charlottesville Fire Department is warning the public to avoid parking your vehicle on top of piles of leaves after investigating an incident at the Jackson-Via Elementary School. Crews responded to a call at 7:30 a.m. on November 25, 2024 and worked to contain a blaze that spread to four vehicles and patches of grass.
“Based on physical evidence collected at the scene, combined with firefighter and witness statements, the fire was determined to have originated underneath a 2000 Lexus 300,” reads an information release sent out this afternoon. “This conclusion is supported by burn patterns, heat damage to the underside of the vehicle, and debris analysis.”
According to the report, radiant heat from the vehicle came into contact with a pile of leaves which caught them on fire. The incident is being ruled as accidental.
“The heat from your car’s engine, especially the catalytic converter, can easily ignite a pile of dry leaves, potentially causing a fire,” the release continues. “Always clear away excessive leaf debris before parking.”
While on scene, the CFD’s Hazardous Materials Team prevented any of the fuel from getting into area storm drains.
Plans unveiled for UVA’s new residence halls slated for Ivy Road corridor
The University of Virginia’s Great and Good Strategic Plan adopted in 2019 calls for the institution to house second-year students on Grounds. That idea is being implemented and on Thursday a panel of the Board of Visitors will be asked to clear the way for several hundred new units to be constructed on Ivy Road.
“UVA has committed to expand its on-Grounds undergraduate student housing capacity to accommodate a greater proportion of the student population,” reads the staff report for the December 5 meeting of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
UVA has hired Capstone Development Partners to lead construction of units that will be built on the western end of the Emmet-Ivy Corridor.
“The current design contemplates a three-building facility with 750-800 beds in apartment-style housing, as well as dining, programmatic, and retail spaces,” the report continues.
One specific ask for the committee is to approve the demolition of a former bank building at the intersection of Ivy and Copeland Roads. Two other buildings in the way were approved for demolition in December 2023, as I reported at the time.
The committee will also be asked to approve an amendment to the major capital plan as well as the design guidelines for the site. The cost estimate is projected between $100 million and $150 million. The design team will be Elkus Manfredi Architects.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee will also consider approval of the schematic design for the North Grounds Parking Garage, a project with a $50 million cost estimate.
“In addition to providing parking, the garage will serve multiple UTS routes, bus patrons and commuters with a multi-modal transit hub,” reads the staff report. “The garage will sit back from Massie Road to allow for a dynamic landscape that will serve pedestrians, bus patrons, and JPJ and Athletic events.”
The Buildings and Grounds Committee approved the location at their meeting in February.
Buildings and Grounds Committee to review schematic design for Center for the Arts
In 2018, the University of Virginia Foundation demolished the Cavalier Inn and other nearby structures to make way for what has now become the Emmet Ivy Corridor. A building for the School of Data Science is now being used and construction is well underway on a hotel and convention center called the Virginia Guesthouse.
On Thursday, the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors will have a further review of the schematic design for a new Center for the Arts which will be built on Emmet Street. The project has a preliminary budget of $315 million and will consolidate many existing UVA programs.
“The 5-story, 210,000 [gross square foot] Center for the Arts will include the 1,200-seat Richard and Tessa Ader Performing Arts Center; co-locate the holdings and programs of UVA’s Fralin
Museum and Kluge-Ruhe Gallery; and provide a home for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Music Department,” reads a staff report for the December 5 meeting.
The design team is made up of Diamon Schmitt, Selldorf, and VMDO Architects.
Second-shout out: Get ready for the WTJU Classical Marathon
This time next week we’ll be on the second day of WTJU’s 2024 Classical Marathon. A round-the-clock celebration of classical music kicks off Monday, December 9, connecting centuries of tradition to the very moment you listen. You can help ensure the superb music on WTJU continues to inspire you and our whole music-loving community in 2025.
New this year, WTJU’s Classical Marathon will feature five live performances, Monday through Saturday, 7-8 p.m. The lineup includes professional performers from the Early Music Access Project, as well as tremendously skilled students from Albemarle High School Orchestra and Choir, Western Albemarle High School Chamber Ensembles, and a special showcase of talent from The Music Emporium.
WTJU has lined up 55 original programs for your listening pleasure – from Early Music and Baroque to Classical and Romantic favorites to compositions written this year. Plus a few shows that push the boundaries of “classical,” highlighting this music’s influence on our broader culture.
From inspired playlists to engaging volunteer hosts, WTJU amplifies the depth and diversity of classical music. When we listen and really hear what classical composers are saying, all of us feel the transformational power of music, together.
For more information, visit WTJU.net.
Charlottesville Planning Commission gives more direction on capital improvement program
One week from now, the Charlottesville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a $185.7 million capital improvement program for the next five years. A week ago on November 26, the appointed body gave initial feedback after getting a briefing from budget staff.
For those who may be in need of a definition for what a capital plan is, here’s budget director Krisy Hammill.
“A capital budget is a multi year plan [and] we do it for five years,” Hammill said. “It forecasts the spending of both the revenues that will pay for that spending as well as the projects that we intend to undertake over the next five years. It should build on the priorities of the comprehensive plan.”
The CIP also covers maintenance projects as well. Departments have been submitting requests this fall and the Planning Commission’s role is to check the document against the Comprehensive Plan.
Before hearing more details about the CIP, Chair Hosea Mitchell pleaded with his colleagues to avoid micromanaging the budget.
“We don't try to move exact dollar amounts around,” Mitchell said. “We just make recommendations about additional programs that we want to make sure get attention or programs that we think should be deleted so that other programs can get attention.”
The Planning Commission gave broad direction for the CIP in September that included a request for more spending on sidewalks and other transportation infrastructure. There were also questions about City Manager Sam Sanders’ strategy to increase resources for homelessness services and the status to upgrade Walker Upper Elementary into a pre-K center.
Funding for the CIP comes from multiple sources including a transfer of three percent of the city’s general fund as well as transfer from the year-end surplus into a contingency fund. A major source of funding is through the sale of bonds that the city pays back through debt service. Charlottesville’s AAA bond rating helps keep interest payments lower.
“We are one of 87 cities nationwide that maintain the double AAA from both Moody's and S&P,” Hammill said. “And there are only 10 cities in the state of Virginia that have this distinction.”
Charlottesville City Schools can seek their own grant funds that are transferred into the project such as a $17.5 million payment from the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Buford Middle School expansion and renovation project. (Charlottesville awarded over $17.5 M in state funds for Buford renovation, May 23, 2023)
To keep that AAA-bond rating, the city has a policy in place to keep the debt service payment below ten percent of the general fund budget. In years past, the city’s spending plan was close to exceeding that amount but the growth of the city budget has made that less of a problem with this draft CIP.
“Right now our projections are even with this plan where we're in the seven little bit over 7 percent range,” Hammill said. “Part of that is a function because we have had assessment increases, our revenues have done really well. And so as our general fund has grown, 9 percent or 10 percent of that general fund has grown, so our capacity has grown.”
To put that in perspective, the general fund budget in FY2020 was built on $188,863,920 in revenues. There were two more years of incremental growth before revenues increased by around $20 million from FY22 to FY23. The budget for FY24 went up another 7.3 percent to $228,433,246 in revenues. The current fiscal year anticipates revenues of $251,948,630. Much of the increase is due to a dramatic increase in property assessments since 2020.
Hammill said the debt service payment has risen each year from $12 million to about $24 million.
The draft capital plan assumes spending about $186 million over the next five years with about $131 million will be paid for through the sale of bonds. The rest will be paid for with cash.
Hammill gave an overview of the categories for where the money will go in FY26 which anticipates $31,412,635.
“Education comes in first, affordable housing comes in second and transportation and access comes in third,” Hammill said.
There are not too many differences from the current five-year plan so for some background take a look at my November 2024 story from when the Charlottesville Planning Commission had the equivalent meeting for this year.
Some items to point out in the items. Unless otherwise noted, links go to the official project description in the CIP book.
The five-year plan calls for a total of $30 million to convert Walker School into a Pre-K Center with the first $4 million anticipated in FY27
A million a year through FY29 is proposed for “climate action initiatives”
Just under $9.7 million is anticipated for renovations of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s Central branch in FY29
One change is about $2.8 million to replace fire apparatus and another $1.47 million to replace EMS apparatus. These have increased due to higher costs. (learn more)
Another piece of new funding is about $4.7 million spread out over five years in the “new sidewalk” category
One item already known is the $15 million on the redevelopment of Westhaven with $5 million a year through FY28. I wrote about that last October. (learn more)
An item under discussion is the amount to spend on the transition to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The draft CIP plan currently anticipates $2 million a year. (learn more)
“The one big notable addition here is the ADA transition plan,” Hammill said. “That is the first time you'll see that in the CIP. This is a number that we know is going to be an expensive endeavor. This is what we think we can afford at this time.”
City Manager Sam Sanders said the city is often challenged by members of the public who point out the deficiencies in the sidewalk system. She He said work continues on creation of a transition plan and the amount suggested in the fund will help pay for improvements.
“We have a plan that's dated 2013, we'll get a new plan and then we will begin immediate implementation,” Sanders said. “The thought behind this is that we're expecting a huge number associated with that plan.”
Sanders suggested that money to invest in addressing compliance issues could save the city in the future if anyone ever decides to sue. He also added he will suggest using some of the year-end surplus from FY24 to pay for immediate improvements at areas identified as being high-risk for pedestrians. Sanders held back on providing a number.
“We have a few sources that we can consider pulling that from, but I haven't set a target yet because I'm actually preferring to get the list back and then determine if we have enough to cover what portion of that list,” Sanders said.
Over the last several years, Council has stepped in to assist with housing situations such as the $8.7 million forgivable loan to allow Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville and Piedmont Housing Alliance buy the Carlton Mobile Home Park or the $5 million given to the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority to cover half the cost of purchasing the 74-unit Dogwood Housing portfolio.
“We have been able to do a lot or multiple kinds of these arrangements over the last couple of years because we’ve had federal one-time money, we’ve had year-end surpluses, and the federal money is drying up and we won’t have those one-time sources,” Hammill said.
The Affordable Housing Plan adopted by City Council in March 2021 called for the investment of $10 million a year in affordable housing projects. Hammill said the FY26 capital improvement plan includes $12.7 million in that category, but that’s not the total amount the city is spending.
“This does not include the tax assistance programs and other things that are also funded in the operational budget,” Hammill said. “In addition, the City Manager has been leading discussions with council and on community interventions, which will include some homelessness and other potential uses of [American Rescue Plan Act funds]
One of those interventions would be to invest in a low-barrier shelter to be housed at a property the Salvation Army owns on Cherry Avenue that is currently used as a thrift store. One Commissioner said one question he received was whether the agency would let in people who lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
While it has not yet been determined who would actually run the low-barrier shelter, Deputy City Manager Ashley Marshall said this branch of the Salvation Army is more progressive than others.
“This Salvation Army has always had space, even in their high barrier shelter, specifically for our LGBTQIA neighbors, who may, for example, be transitioning so they can have a private, comfortable space. I do know that's unusual for a Salvation Army,” Marshall said.
Marshall said the city has a 100 percent rating from the Municipality Equity Index from the Human Rights Campaign.
“I'm not going to let that number slip away,” Marshall said. “I worked really hard for that.”
Members of the Planning Commission had additional feedback at the end of the presentation.
“I really appreciate all the affordable housing, homelessness, money being spent there,” said Betsy Roettger, a former member of the CRHA Board of Commissioners.
Danny Yoder, the newest member of the Planning Commission, said he wanted the city public works department to have the capacity to build projects quickly.
“You know, we saw this on, you know, Elliott Avenue and in other places and I've seen city crews building sidewalks,” Yoder said. “It's great. I think members of the public see that the city is, is getting something done that positively affects their lives.”
At least two Commissioners mentioned that there is a possibility that one apartment complex that provides low-income housing may soon lose their subsidy. They had been alerted by Emily Dreyfus of the Legal Aid Justice Center in a November 25 email.
“One thing that does worry me a little bit, gives me a little bit of heartburn, is in fact Hearthwood,” said Mitchell said. “It looms large and I just want us to be certain that we're thinking about that because we don't want to revisit the mobile home crisis that we faced a few months back.”
Hearthwood Apartments on Michie Drive was built in 1972 and renovated in 2012 according to a market study conducted in 2022 for the CRHA’s Sixth Street Phase One project. According to this market study and eight others available on Virginia Housing, the mechanism that restricts rents is through the sale of bonds.
According to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development database on low-income housing tax credits, Hearthwood received credits in 1996 for both new construction and rehabilitation.
Mitchell said 200 residents might lose an affordable place to live when the subsidy expires in 2026, but provided no additional information.
I’ve requested more information and will add more to the story as it gets posted to Information Charlottesville.
Price drops: A brief attempt to get caught up with a regular segment
It has been some time since I’ve reported on “price drop” emails sent out by realtor.com. The last installment was in the October 15 edition of the newsletter. In the interest of unclogging my inbox, here’s a partial report that I view as more of a housekeeping effort than anything else.
On October 15, the asking price for 31 Horse Path in Fluvanna County was lowered $4,000 to $391,789. This is in the Essence at Colonial Circle Community built by Stanley Martin Homes. (view the listing)
On October 15, the asking price for 112 5th Street SE, Apartment 3D, was lowered $22,000 to $1,178,000. This is a two bedroom condominium unit in the Holsinger Building built in 2006. The 2024 assessment is $966,600. (see the listing)
On October 18, the asking price for 1013 Linden Avenue, Apartment E, was lowered $6,000 to $329,000. The property has a 2024 assessment of $278,000. The listing has been further reduced to $319,900. (look at the listing)
On October 20, the desired price for 103 Linden Street was reduced $10,000 to $575,000. This is a four bedroom house with four bathrooms. The 2024 assessment is $467,900. (gaze at the listing)
On October 22, the asking price for 1001 Altavista Avenue was lowered another $4,000 to $349,000. The 2024 assessment is $257,300. The property has since been taken off the market. (read the listing anyway)
On October 22, the asking price for 748 Lexington Avenue was dropped $75,000 to $1,895,000. The 2024 assessment is $1,215,700. This property has also been taken off the market since. (go look anyway)
On October 22, the asking price for 218 Camellia Drive in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood was lowered $25,000 to $550,000. A sale is pending. The 2024 assessment is $374,000. (go to the listing)
I should have probably waited until tomorrow to post this, but I want to get this out of the way so I can get caught up!
Reading material for #771
Supervisors strike rural cluster subdivisions from county code, Heather Michon, Fluvanna Review, November 26, 2024
Campbell County Planning Commission public hearing set Monday for controversial landfill expansion, Connor Dietrich, WSLS10, December 2, 2024
Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail renovations make next steps, Gabby Womack, 29NBC WVIR, December 2, 2024
Tighter parking restrictions may be coming to Charlottesville streets, Maggie Glass, 29NBC WVIR, December 2, 2024
What to do if immigration agents come to your jobsite, Zachary Phillips, Construction Dive, December 3, 2024
Ron Smith wins another term as mayor of Scottsville, Erin O’Hare, Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 3, 2024
Previewing the December meeting of the Board of Visitors, Thomas Baxter, Cavalier Daily, December 3, 2024
Goodbye, #772
Well, that escalated quickly. Since posting the BlueSky account for Information Charlottesville, I picked up 81 followers. This account is going to be broadcast only as I do not want to be checking social media all day.
Back in the day, I would use Twitter to keep myself interested while being on location at meetings. Over time, I realized I was likely getting information wrong by trying to get it out quickly. So I will not be doing any sort of live posts because that would take me off of the rhythm of writing this newsletter.
Most of my time is spent doing the research, writing, and production. I have not put very much into advertising and I’ve never sent out a general fund-raising letter. I want my work to stand for itself and if you like it, you might pay for it. Because hundreds of you pay, I have an editorial independence and have developed a body of work that adds to previous work I did that I do not own.
If Facebook is your thing, check out the Town Crier Productions account. This is mostly automated and I am certain the algorithm throttles it. I also post pictures through Instagram, but I suspect this is throttled, too. I’m not going to bother with Threads.
The reason for the newsletter is to have a single source each day where all of my work is contained. I like working toward one product that goes out to thousands of people and then taking the segments and moving them to Information Charlottesville.
For now, consider a paid subscription through Substack. If you want to contribute but would prefer a different mechanism, contact me! I’m hoping to have something new in place relatively soon.
For one more month, Ting will match your initial subscription through Substack. I’m grateful for their support over the years and there is room for a new sponsor who might like the same opportunity to support this work. But for now, I’m so happy to tell you more about Ting.
If you sign up for service and you are within Ting’s service area, enter the promo code COMMUNITY you’re going to get:
Free installation
A second month for free
A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
I added a small amount about Hearthwood after publication, but still need to add more context. Aside from being partially financed through low-income housing tax credits, Hearthwood has never received a direct subsidy from the City of Charlottesville.