May 8, 2025: Albemarle County seeks input on draft paperwork seeking a designer for Eastern Avenue extension in Crozet
Plus: Charlottesville City Council votes 3-1 to allow Delta Zeta sorority to demolish 144 Chancellor Street
Somehow we are now into the second week of May and at the time when Charlottesville’s population decreases as thousands of University of Virginia students return home. The trees are mostly filled in and pollen counts are higher. The heat has not yet arrived, but it’s only a matter of time. This is the time in the opening paragraph where you learn that you’re reading Charlottesville Community Engagement. I’m Sean Tubbs, and I’m too blissed out by today’s beauty to look back into the past.
In today’s installment:
Albemarle County Police Department have announced a missing teenager has been found
Governor Glenn Youngkin announces launch of fast-tracking initiative to allow large industrial projects to move faster
Albemarle County wants members of the public to comment on documents seeking a firm to design and build the extension of Eastern Avenue in Crozet
Charlottesville City Council overrules the Board of Architectural Review on denial of request to tear down 144 Chancellor Street
First shout-out: Camp Albemarle
Today’s first subscriber-supported public service announcement goes out to Camp Albemarle, which has for over sixty years been a “wholesome rural, rustic and restful site for youth activities, church groups, civic events and occasional private programs.”
Located on 14 acres on the banks of the Moorman’s River near Free Union, Camp Albemarle continues as a legacy of being a Civilian Conservation Corps project that sought to promote the importance of rural activities. Are you looking to escape and reconnect with nature? Consider holding an event where the natural beauty of the grounds will provide a venue to suit your needs. Visit their website to view the gallery and learn more!
Albemarle County Police Department locates missing teen
A search for a young person has been called off after the Albemarle County Police Department located the individual.
“Kaleigh Waggoner has been located safely and is being evaluated by medical personnel for minor injuries,” reads an information release sent out at 12:01 p.m. today.
Waggoner had been reported missing last night with a last reported location on Greenbrier Drive in Albemarle County. ACPD’s initial email was sent out at 6:55 a.m.
Governor Youngkin launches effort to speed up economic development efforts
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced a new initiative designed to speed up permitting processes for large industrial developments.
“We’re doubling down with the Made in Virginia Investment Accelerator to fast-track game-changing projects, cut red tape, and deliver results that power prosperity across the Commonwealth.”
The idea is being sponsored by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade as well as the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Projects that go through the accelerator program will have permits expedited at the state level. Phrases in the press release include “concierge-style service” and “whole-of-government coordination.”
“A unified approach among state agencies will address investor needs promptly, leveraging unique access to Virginia’s cabinet officials and agency leaders to fast-track opportunities,” reads a portion of the information release.
To qualify a project has to promise to create 500 new jobs and make an investment of at least $250 million. This can be for expansions or for new facilities.
Also today, Youngkin announced that the LEGO Group will build a 2,000,000 square foot warehouse in Prince George County’s Crosspointe Business Center, creating 305 new jobs. The deal was facilitate by a $2.53 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to help Prince George County with some of the associated costs.
Albemarle County seeks firms to design Eastern Avenue in Crozet
One of the components in Albemarle’s master plan for Crozet is a north-south roadway called Eastern Avenue. Portions of the road have been built by developers but a major obstacle has been the cost of building a bridge across Lickinghole Creek.
In August 2023, the Board of Supervisors learned that the Virginia Department of Transportation’s cost estimate to complete the project had jumped to nearly $39.5 million.
Last August, Supervisors were briefed on how the county might be able to use Virginia’s Public Private Transportation Act to move the project along. The firm Kimley-Horn had been hired to play the role of “owner’s representative” to study how a private entity might be brought on board. Albemarle County has not used this mechanism before to build transportation infrastructure.
Today Albemarle County sent out a press release announcing that a draft request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for a firm to provide professional engineering services for roadway’s design and construction. The goal is to get public comments on the document.
“By aligning public and private investments, the County can reduce overall costs, accelerate delivery, and more efficiently complete a critical segment of the Crozet transportation network,” reads the information release sent out at 10:10 a.m.
The draft RFP itself was issued on April 11 and states that the final version will be published on May 26.
“The purpose of the Project is to provide a connection between residential areas on the north side of Lickinghole Creek and Route 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike),” reads the purpose statement in the RFP. “This connection will supersede the approximately 5.5-mile detour currently required for residents to cross Lickinghole Creek and reach Route 250 which is a key minor arterial linking to shopping centers, schools, and providing interstate access.”
There are nine objectives with the fifth stating that the idea is to leverage “available County funds to enhance the financial feasibility of the [public-private partnership (P3)] project.”
“The County anticipates reaching the close of the procurement process in August of 2025 and reaching completion of construction of the Project by June 30, 2028,” the RFP continues. “The County also anticipates a maximum of $14 million of public contribution to the P3 Project by the County, with a focus on the Proposer bringing the greatest value with the least public contribution of funds.”
Several firms are barred from responding due to conflicts of interest, including Kimley-Horn.
Anyone with comments should address them to PPTA@albemarle.org.
Previous stories:
Albemarle Supervisors briefed on transportation projects including cost escalation for Eastern Avenue South in Crozet, August 10, 2023
Albemarle Supervisors briefed on alternate transportation funding mechanism, April 11, 2024
Albemarle Supervisors briefed on procurement mechanism for Eastern Avenue, August 16, 2025
Second shout-out: Charlottesville Community Bikes
In today’s second subscriber supported shout-out, Charlottesville Community Bikes strives to provide wheels to anyone who needs a ride. That includes:
There’s a Kid’s Bike program for people under the age of 12 (learn more)
Several social services organizations refer people to Charlottesville Community Bikes for access to reliable transportation (learn more)
Keep an eye on their calendar for the next mobile repair clinic (learn more)
There’s also a workforce development program that “blends mentorship and comprehensive training in bicycle mechanics” (learn more)
Visit the Charlottesville Community Bikes website today to learn more!\
Charlottesville City Council grants appeal to allow Delta Zeta to demolish 144 Chancellor Street
Charlottesville’s Board of Architectural Review has several powers under the city’s development code including the ability to decide whether to grant requests to demolish buildings in historic and design-control districts.
“On January 22, 2025, the BAR, by a vote of 6 to nothing, denied a [Certificate of Appropriateness] to allow demolition of an approximately 20 foot by 56 foot single story wood frame structure constructed circa 1905 as a schoolhouse,” said Jeff Werner, the city’s preservation and design planner.
The property is a contributing structure in the Corner Architectural Design Control District.
The Delta Zeta sorority purchased the property in 1979 and have used it for storage. Their argument was that the building is structurally unsound and at the end of its useful life.
The BAR’s scope is to consider the historic value of the house. Werner said the Corner District was recognized by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 1983, the federal government in 1984, and City Council in 2003. However, the BAR does not have the final say and an appeal can be made to Council.
“In appealing the bar's action, the appellant also asserts demolition is considered the most practical path forward,” Werner said. “Citing expert analyses showing the building is unsafe and would be costly to repair, the appellant asserts that despite maintenance, maintenance efforts, structural issues make rehabilitation unfeasible and even if feasible, the building has limited value as a usable structure.”
Kevin Blair represented the Delta Zeta National Housing Corporation. He took the opportunity to refute claims made by BAR members that the sorority intentionally allowed the building to fall into disrepair.
“This is patently untrue as evidence shows we have made efforts to maintain the exterior weather tight envelope of the building,” Blair said. “We have chosen not to invest assets internally in the building as it was a smaller structure on the property when purchased that has never had a specific use or purpose to us.”
Blair said there are no plans to build a structure but to instead provide green space for the residents of the 16-room sorority house next door.
David Timmerman chaired the BAR the night of their hearing and so he represented his body’s interest.
“The house does represent an unusual building type in the Corner District,” Timmerman said. “The simple design of the schoolhouse has been retained, has not been modified very much through the years. So that in and of itself I think has value. According to our evaluation and the school is the schoolhouse is linked or is linked historically and aesthetically to the other structures on the street.”
To support that point, Timmerman read from the ADC District guidelines.
“Historic buildings are irreplaceable community assets and once they are gone, they are gone forever,” Timmerman said. “With each successive demolition or removal, the integrity of a historic district is further eroded.”
There were only four Councilors present on May 5 and Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston expressed his opinion first.
“My own reaction is to let it be demolished,” Pinkston said. “I don't really see the point of having this ugly brownish box on that road.”
Councilor Natalie Oschrin said she felt the structure did not fit in with the rest of the street pointing out that it’s a different size. She said historic preservation is important, but Council also has to think of the highest and best use of the land.
“In this area where maybe it will be a parklet for a little bit, maybe it will become additional housing in a couple of years, I think those are probably both better uses than a building that has served its purpose and is no longer being used for anything else,” Oschrin said.
City Councilor Michael Payne said he supported the BAR’s position.
“I do think that given, you know, it's the last remaining structure of a one room schoolhouse in the city, I think given the history of the building, the fact that it's intact, given the uniqueness of that specific area, I do support upholding the decision that the BAR made,” Payne said.
City Councilor Lloyd Snook was in favor of allowing the demolition to proceed.
This is the second time in three years that Council has overruled the BAR’s decision on a demolition. The appointed body in February 2023 declined to grant a certificate of appropriateness to remove a structure that was in the way of the Verve Charlottesville project. Council later overruled that decision.
On May 20, the BAR will take up a request to demolish a historic house at 1301 Wertland Street.
Reading material:
Charlottesville looks to increase accessibility of Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, Gabby Womack, WVIR 29 News, May 6, 2025
Albemarle County Supervisors approve budget, including tax increase, Maggie Glass, WVIR 29News, May 7, 2025
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump's transit and homelessness grant conditions, Gene Johnson, Associated Press, May 7, 2025
Early voting begins for June 17 primaries, Heather Michon, Fluvanna Review, May 8, 2025
How many more words are left in #861?
It is a beautiful day. I went out to Biscuit Run Park for the first time today to take a picture of the sign for a story I’m writing for C-Ville Weekly. In addition to this newsletter and Fifth District Community Engagement, I’ve added a second story each week. I’m very glad to have that partnership in place.
How do I manage to do it? I don’t know sometimes, but I can say that I love the challenge. There is so much to write about in this community I’ve lived in now for nearly 23 years, and somehow I don’t seem to ever get bored.
I put the windows down when I drove from downtown to the end of Avon Street. The weather felt so crisp and amazing. However, I neglected to remember that this would mean speed the delivery of pollen directly into my eyes. I arrived home in agony, took a small break, and then got to work on today’s edition.
This is one of those smaller editions, something many people might appreciate. And now it is time to end it and get to work on the audio version. I have a suspicion I’m going to have to cobble together a new segment or two, which may mean I put out a full newsletter tomorrow as well as a podcast.
I manage to do this because this is the work I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve built internal systems to help me process information. I know my weaknesses and I’m trying to address them. I’m fortunate to have found a line of work that fuels me, and I’m hopeful my stories fuel the community’s knowledge about itself.
If you’d like to support this, there are many ways. I refer you to this page on Information Charlottesville which I updated yesterday. One weakness is a certain vagueness in my responses to people when they ask: How can I support you?
The main thing? Keep reading! And, let’s have a little They Might Be Giants covering Chumbawumba to conclude the show today!