May 23, 2024: Preliminary report published for Palmyra plane crash; Local groups get funding for tourism marketing
Plus: Another look at asking-price drops for area homes
There was a break in the continuity in order to go see a different part of the country, but Charlottesville Community Engagement is back with another installment of some but not all information about things occurring in the general area around the zip code 22903. We are now in the summertime even though there are still 28 days left until the solstice. I’m Sean Tubbs, glad to be back at work.
In today’s installment:
The federal agency that investigates vehicular accidents has the first report on a May 5 plane crash in Palmyra that killed two people
A developer of several utility-scale solar sites in Virginia including one in Buckingham County has been fined for multiple stormwater
Charlottesville will be a stop on a new bus service that will connect Harrisonburg with Virginia Beach
The U.S. Census Bureau reports sales of new homes were down nationally in April
Another anecdotal look at price-drops of all homes in Albemarle and Charlottesville
First shout-out: Design Develop
In today’s Patreon-fueled shout-out, architectural firm Design Develop is offering a new service aimed at the development community that the rest of us might want to know about , too — 3D point cloud scanning! This technique uses specialized equipment, such as 3D scanner systems, to gather a large amount of data points that represent the surface of the scanned object or scene. This really comes in handy when working with historic structures, as the firm knows from its experience in Baltimore and Charlottesville. Read their blog post for more information!
The applications of 3D point cloud scanning are extensive and cover various fields, including architecture, construction, cultural heritage preservation, virtual reality, industrial design, manufacturing, and more. These applications require accurate 3D spatial information, and Design Develop’s workflow provides precise and comprehensive results, all while being more cost-effective than traditional methods.
Design Develop has expertise in this workflow for their own needs and now has a dedicated team offering this service in the Charlottesville and Albemarle Area. If you're involved in the real estate, design, or construction industry, contact them for more information or a free quote.
Visit their website for an introductory video that captures the 3D point cloud scanning of the Downtown Transit Center and a booklet that will explain more!
Preliminary report issued in Palmyra plane crash
The first details are in about the May 5 crash of a private airplane in Palymra that killed the pilot and the passenger. The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report that details the final minutes of a flight between Manassas and Georgetown, South Carolina.
“The airplane was in cruise flight at 20,000 ft when it reversed course,” reads the report. “The controller queried the pilot, who replied ‘We have lost…We need to climb.’ When the controller asked the pilot ‘what is your issue?’, the pilot responded, ‘we have lost autopilot.’ There were no further communications from the airplane.”
Investigators interviewed an eye-witness who reported hearing a burst of thunder that grew louder. This person went outside to look and saw at the twin-engine plane flying on its side and on fire from the middle. The vehicle hit the ground across the street.
Debris from the aircraft scattered across a three and a mile long path.
“The left wing, left engine, left propeller and empennage were heavily burnt and located at the main wreckage site, which came to rest inverted,” the report continued.
The right engine and the right propeller were not located. The investigation will continue.
The crash killed pilot John W. Latham, 63, of Haymarket and the passenger, Niiben C.A. Ayivorh, 73, of Burke.
Public comment period open for solar company’s alleged DEQ violations in Buckingham
A company that has installed solar fields across Virginia including Buckingham County is entering into a second consent order with the Department of Environmental Quality due to multiple violations of the State Water Control Law and permits.
A consent order is a set of legally-binding corrective actions that an entity agrees to take if they have broken the terms of a permit. The DEQ and Energix EPC had previously entered into one of these last May for violations at sites in Henry County, Sussex County, Wythe County, and Buckingham County.
In the latter, the DEQ extended authority from an existing stormwater permit to Energix in August 2020.
“The 2019 Permit allows Energix to discharge stormwater associated with construction activities from Site 6 to Buffalo Creek and Payne Creek unnamed tributary, in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of the 2019 Permit,” reads page 7 of the second consent order.
Inspections last May and July found that a stormwater basin was turning into a pond and was not properly stabilized. A consent order was issued for that as well as violations at other Energix sites. Another inspection in December turned up several other violations of the State Water Control Law, a law intended to prevent excess sediment entering the watershed. That can seriously damage water quality and aquatic life.
The consent order lays out several steps that need to be taken to be compliant and also requires a civil charge of $158,000 to be paid to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Members of the public can comment between now and June 21. (view the consent order)
Virginia Breeze to launch new east-west service through Charlottesville
An intercity bus service subsidized by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is adding a new route that will connect the mountains with the ocean.
“Connecting Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach, the Tidewater Current will offer convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike that will provide bi-directional service 365 days a year,” reads a press release sent out on Tuesday.
The DRPT launched the Virginia Breeze in December 2017 with the Valley Flyer service between Blacksburg and Washington D.C. Since then they’ve added three other routes connecting the nation’s capitol with Danville, Bristol, and Martinsville. Service is provided by Megabus.
The new service does not yet have a start date but will have stops in Charlottesville, Richmond, New Kent, Williamsburg, Newport News, and Norfolk. Pricing has also not been not been determined but a one way trip between Harrisonburg and Virginia Beach will take six and a half hours.
This will be the first east west service offered by Virginia Breeze and will serve the same function as the proposed Commonwealth Corridor passenger rail service that DRPT and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are working towards.
Second shout-out: Plant Virginia Natives
There are four weeks left in spring, and still time to consider transforming your outdoor spaces One resource to guide your planning is Plant Virginia Natives!
Plant Virginia Natives is part of a partnership with ten regional campaigns for ten different ecosystems across Virginia, from the Northern Piedmont to the Eastern Shore. Take a look at the full map below for the campaign for native species where you are in the Commonwealth. For the Charlottesville area, download a free copy of the handbook: Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens. As I plan for spring, I’m going to take a look because after almost four years of one Patreon supporter selecting this as his shout-out, I’m excited to get to work myself!
Virginia Tourism Corporation awards funding to projects
We are in National Travel and Tourism Week and Governor Glenn Youngkin took the opportunity to announce the award of $3.27 million in grants through the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
“Across the Commonwealth, the tourism industry recognizes the importance of having inventive strategies to showcase all that Virginia has to offer,” Youngkin is quoted in a press release from Monday. “These grants will support those efforts and help draw thousands of additional visitors to the Commonwealth to experience everything that makes Virginia so special.”
The funding is for various partnerships and is intended to leverage other dollars. Several initiatives in the area are slated for funding.
Foxfield Spring Races 2024 will receive $8,920 for event production of this past spring’s event
Foxfield Racing LLC will receive $13,500 to cover the costs of marketing the spring races
The Crozet Fall Arts & Crafts Festival will get $8,000 for the event coming up October 12 and October 13
Blenheim Vineyards has been awarded $6,500 for the Two Up Wine Down Festival which showcases winemakers who are Black, Indigenous or Persons of Color. The most recent event was on October 29, 2023.
The Ix Art Park Foundation has been awarded $9,725 for something called Charlottesville: Above & Below, but their website does not have a description.
The Fae Festival is a Renaissance Faire event held at the Ix Art Park that will receive $4,500. The event is coming up on June 15 and June 16.
The Tom Tom Festival received $22,815 for their recent event and a second award of $20,000.
The Front Porch will get $2,500 for Rivanna Roots Riverfront Concerts this year. These are held at the Rivanna River Company which rents their space along the river from the City of Charlottesville.
The Monticello Wine Trail will get $5,000 for their Wine Week, which concluded earlier this month.
Fluvanna County will receive $13,000 for the campaign Fall in Love with Fluvanna
The Fluvanna County Fair is in line for $9,000. The 9th annual fair will be held August 15 through August 17 at Pleasant Grove Park.
Louisa County’s Parks and Recreation Program has been awarded $16,000 for the Visit Louisa initiative.
Nelson County Tourism will receive $18,000 for the Stars and Spurs festival coming up later this year at Oak Ridge. The three-day event will be held July 4 through July 6.
The Wintergreen Music Festival will receive $10,000 for the month-long series of concerts that take place through July.
An entity called Love Ridge Mountain Lodging in Nelson County will get $10,000 for the launch of their cabins and event space in Montebello near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Price-drop round-up: Units for sale range from $175K to $2.65 million
In recent months, the amount of emails from Realtor.com that contain the phrase “price-drop” have been more plentiful. Many listings in Albemarle and Charlottesville have been set way above the reassessment, and looking at these provides me with another set of data points to look at as I go through property transactions. I’m collecting these here for anecdotal and conversational purposes.
On April 26, 2024, a two bedroom house at 700 Merion Greene in the River Run subdivision in Albemarle had its listing price dropped $10,900 to $349,000. The 2024 assessment is $289,600. (view listing)
On May 4, 2024, a three bedroom house built in 1967 at 109 Denice Lane had its asking price drop $15,000 to $485,000. The 2024 assessment is $453,600. This property is now zoned Residential-B. realtor.com now lists the property as being off-market. (view listing)
On May 6, 2024, a three bedroom house at 1722 Yorktown Drive dropped in asking price $35,000 to $815,000. The 0.4 acre property has a 2024 assessment of $561,800. The asking price has further dropped another $20,000 to $795,000. (view listing)
On May 6, 2024, a three bedroom townhouse in Wickham Pond on Painted Terrace had its price dropped $15,000 to $434,000. The property has a 2024 assessment of $424,700. realtor.com now lists the status as pending. (view listing)
A three bedroom house on Tarleton Drive in the Greenbrier neighborhood had its asking price dropped $49,100 to $529,900. That’s only $3,000 above the 2024 assessment. (view listing)
A four bedroom townhouse on Sawgrass Court in the Dunlora Forest development had its asking price drop $10,000 to $599,000. The 2024 assessment is $617,500. (view listing)
On May 7, 2024, a four bedroom house at 1805 Meadowbrook Heights Road dropped $15,000 to $685,000. The 2024 assessment is $628,900. (view listing)
On May 8, 2024, a four bedroom single family detached house at 1095 Towne Lane dropped $10,000 to $499,000. The 2024 assessment is $466,000. (view listing)
On May 10, 2024, a four bedroom house at 1401 Melbourne Road dropped $40,000 to $590,000. The 2024 assessment is $502,700. This property is now zoned Residential-B. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a one bedroom apartment in Turtle Creek dropped $10,000 to $174,900. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a seven bedroom, 12 bathroom, 8,575 square foot mansion on nearly 23 acres had its price drop $300,000 to $2.65 million. Some of this property on Horseshoe Bend Road is taxed at a lower rate due to it being in the land use taxation program for agricultural use. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a four bedroom house on Old Farm Road in the Bellair neighborhood had its price drop $275,000 to $2,875,000. The 2024 assessment is significantly lower at $1,196,400. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a four bedroom house on Monticello Avenue in Belmont had its asking price drop $25,100 to $749,900. The 2024 assessment is $642,800. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a three bedroom house on Altamont Street had its asking price dropped $50,000 to $700,000. The 2024 assessment is $474,800. (view listing)
On May 17, 2024, a six bedroom house on Michie Tavern Lane had its asking price drop $50,000 to $1.6 million. The 2024 assessment is $912,100. (view listing)
On May 21, 2024, a two bedroom house on Belleview Avenue in Locust Grove had its asking price drop $24,000 to $350,000. The 2024 assessment is $374,400. (view listing)
On May 21, 2024, a three bedroom house on Park Street had its asking price drop $25,000 to $570,000. The 2024 assessment is $515,300. (view listing)
On May 21, 2024, a four bedroom house on Rose Hill Drive had its asking price drop $100,000 to $995,000. Under the new zoning, this 0.44 acre property is Residential-B. The 2024 assessment is $726,000. (view listing)
On May 22, 2024, a three bedroom townhouse on Koch Court in the Brookhill neighborhood had its asking price drop $6,000 to $529,365. This is new construction. (view listing)
On May 22, 2024, a six bedroom house on Morgantown Road in Ivy had its asking price drop $70,000 to $1,275,000. The 2024 assessment is $891,400. (view listing)
Census Bureau: Sales of new homes nationally dropped in April
Charlottesville is just one of thousands of communities in the United States and real estate transactions that take place here are part of a national picture. Today the United Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released figures for new homes across the country.
An estimated 634,000 new single family homes sold in April 2024 compared to an estimated 665,000 in March 2024. That’s a 4.7 percent drop. In April 2023 there were an estimated 687,000 new houses sold making the year-to-year decline 7.7 percent.
“The median sales price of new houses sold in April 2024 was $433,500,” reads a press release sent out today. “The average sales price was $505,700.”
This particular piece of information comes from the Survey of Construction.
Reading material:
The waiting game isn't working for Charlottesville homebuyers, Emily Hemphill, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), May 18, 2024
Charlottesville City Council hears plan to improve the Downtown Mall, Gretchen Stenger, May 20, 2024
Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe, Sharon Lerner, Pro-Publica / New Yorker
New Charlottesville High School principal gives priorities for next school year, Bria Stih, WVIR 29NBC, May 21, 2024
Will Virginia’s residential solar market survive the coming year?, Ivy Main, Virginia Mercury (commentary), May 21, 2024
Elementary school students in Louisa County become published authors, Marysa Tuttle, WRIC, May 22, 2024
6 shots on Market Street: Details of 2023 Charlottesville killing revealed in court, Hawes Spencer, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), May 22, 2024
RGGI officially removed from Virginia state budget, Lauren Hines-Acosta, Bay Journal, May 22, 2024
#680 has broken from the Escape Room
I’m back in Charlottesville and ready to get back to work. Part of that work involves writing up the trip to the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, a story that is not as easy to write as much of what shows up in this newsletter. When will it be ready? Hopefully by Monday.
All of this work is in an experiment and I’m glad to see the total audience nearing 3,000 subscribers. Over a fifth of you have paid for a subscription thanks to Substack and I thank you for that! I do also hope you know that I dislike the days when I’m not publishing because I feel you’re all fueling my desire to publish as much as I can!
While paid subscriptions aren’t mandatory for people to read the material, the material can’t be written if there aren’t enough paid subscribers. So, maybe today’s the day to support detailed information what’s happening?
And if you join those paid subscribers, Ting will match your initial subscription. That can be at the $5 a month level, the $50 a year level, or the $200 a year level. If you have any questions, drop me a line.
Ting can help you with your high speed Internet needs. If service is available in your area and you sign up for service, enter the promo code COMMUNITY and you will get:
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A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall
