December 6, 2024: UVA planning to build road connection between Copeley Road and Millmont Street; panel approves design for North Grounds Parking Garage with one vote against
Plus: More information about yesterday's finding that a dam in Greene County is a "significant hazard"
Did Susanna Bolling really save the Marquis de Lafayette from being captured by the British in 1781? One reader of yesterday’s newsletter questioned whether the story enshrined in a 2019 General Assembly resolution is actually true, and there’s a recent article on Cardinal News that digs into the story. There’s no time for that in this or any other edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and Saturday podcast that wonders if anyone in the year 2257 will know anything of this time. I’m Sean Tubbs, looking ahead to writing as much of that journey as I can.
In today’s installment:
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has classified a Greene County dam as being a significant hazard, though no immediate threat has been determined
Two incumbents on Charlottesville City Council are set to announce their re-election campaign on Monday
Tomorrow is the 83rd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has moved out of the downtown headquarters used for decades
The latest RGGI auction provided $320 million in proceeds to states that participate
The Charlottesville Police Department has been reaccredited
The University of Virginia Buildings and Grounds Committee approves design for North Grounds Parking Garage and amends major capital plan to make way for student housing project on Ivy Road
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!
Virginia officials monitoring potential dam failure in Stanardsville, no imminent risk
In Virginia, dam safety is the responsibility of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Yesterday personnel from the government agency inspected the Greene Mountain Lake Dam just south of Stanardsville.
“This is a Significant Hazard, privately owned dam and its embankment is poor condition, but DCR staff (after on-site inspection) have determined that it is NOT currently an imminent risk for failure,” said Dave Neudeck, public communications and marketing director for the DCR. “We are following up with the dam owner on appropriate next steps.”
The phrase “significant hazard” refers to the dam safety provisions in the Virginia Administrative Code and is the middle of three classifications rating potential threats posed by aging structures that are built to hold back water. Significant hazard means that a dam failure “may cause loss of life” as well as costly impacts to infrastructure.
A “high hazard potential” is one where there is “probable loss of life” if the structure suddenly fails. There’s also “low hazard potential” which anticipates no threat to human life and minimal economic damage.
According to Neudeck, there are 507 high hazard dams, 226 significant hazard dams, and 355 low hazard dams.
On Thursday afternoon, Greene County sent out a press release warning of a “level 2 emergency.”
“There is not an immediate threat to safety, but that could change rapidly,” reads an email sent out at 4:12 p.m. “All residents downstream need to make preparations in the event that emergency evacuations become necessary.”
The DCR’s website has a lengthy explanation of how the classifications work to coordinate land use planning. These categories can change over time even if the structure itself is still secure.
“Downstream conditions, including land use, can and often do change,” reads the website. “Although a dam itself may remain relatively stable, it is subject to reclassification if a change occurs in the downstream inundation zone.”
According to the National Dam Safety Program, the dam at Greene Mountain Lake is an earthen structure.
“Based upon the possibility of a dam breach caused by overtopping during the SDF, the dam is assessed unsafe, non-emergency,” reads an inspection report from 1981. “It is recommended that a qualified engineering firm be retained to perform a detailed hydrologic / hydraulic analysis of the dam and downstream damage reach.”
Today Greene County provided more details on what they describe as a Stage 2 Dam Hazard.
“The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) issued the emergency on Thursday, December 5, 2024, after a site visit confirmed unpermitted excavation which has resulted in erosion and concerns for further sloughing of the earthen dam on Pine Bluff Road,” reads that release. “The County of Greene issued a local emergency declaration and activated the Emergency Operations Plan based on the Stage 2 classification.”
The release notes that Greene County has no authority over privately owned dams such as the one at Greene Mountain Lake. The county also notes that if the dam failed, properties on Amicus Road and Beazley Road would be impacted.
To find out if you’re in the threat zone for a dam failure, take a look at the Virginia Flood Risk Information System.
Wade and Pinkston to kick off re-election campaign for City Council
There are 193 days left until the next primary election in Virginia and that will include at least one local race.
Incumbent City Councilors Brian Pinkston and Juandiego Wade will seek re-election, according to an email one of them sent to supporters on December 1.
“Mayor Wade and I will be kicking off our campaign for reelection to Charlottesville City Council on Monday, December 9th at Noon at the Free Speech Wall Downtown,” reads the email.
They will enter a race for two nominations for the November General Election ballot for terms that begin in January 2026. The Charlottesville Democratic Committee will organize that process according to their by-laws.
“Whenever candidates for Democratic nomination to public office are to be selected, either by primary, convention, or mass meeting, the Chair(s) will cause timely public notice to be made of the time, place and method of nomination and of filing requirements, if any,” reads Article 14.
This will be the first time the ranked-choice system is available for use in Charlottesville after City Council authorized.
In a statement to this publication, Pinkston said serving for the past three years has been an honor and he wants another four years alongside Wade to keep a stable government going.
“We've worked together with our Council colleagues -- Lloyd Snook, Michael Payne, Sena Magill, Leah Puryear, and Natalie Oschrin -- to rebuild a culture of mutual respect, forward-thinking, and professionalism on Council,” Pinkston wrote today.
Pinkston said the hiring of Sam Sanders has provided leadership that can implement what the city needs.
“I feel like I've now hit my stride and can make additional contributions to the City by serving a second term,” Pinkston said. “We have a lot left to do -- especially to continue to advance on the Strategic Plan.”
In an email to this publication, Wade said he looks forward to the announcement on Monday.
Youngkin orders flag at half-mast for Pearl Harbor recognition
Tomorrow is the 83rd anniversary of the event that caused the United States of America to enter the Second World War. Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an order this morning to mark the occasion.
“I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia are to be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth in solemn memory and respect for the nearly 4,000 American service men and women killed or wounded in the early morning of December 7, 1941, at the United States Navy Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,” reads the order.
The December 8, 1941 edition of the Charlottesville Daily Progress has a story that authorities in the Hampton Roads area immediately began arresting Japanese nationals. The paper also reported that Civilian Defense Headquarters would be open for volunteers who wanted to register with the Civilian Defense Corps.
A further report on page nine stated that the University of Virginia announced there were no Japanese students. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had sent out a query asking for information. Charlottesville police reported no Japanese residents in the city.
Final RGGI auction of 2024 raises $320 million for participants
In November, a Floyd County Circuit Court Judge ruled that Governor Glenn Youngkin acted unlawfully by directing executive action to remove Virginia from an interstate compact related to carbon emissions.
However, the action does not immediately restore Virginia to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The non-profit just conducted its final auction of carbon allowances for the calendar year.
“The auction generated $319.7 million for states to reinvest in strategic programs, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, direct bill assistance, beneficial electrification, and [greenhouse gas] abatement programs,” reads an information release sent out this morning.
More on this story in future editions of the newsletter.
Charlottesville Police Department reaccredited
The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission has awarded reaccredited status to the Charlottesville Police Department.
According to a release, the assessment found that the department remains in compliance with 192 required standards.
”I am incredibly proud of our staff who work tirelessly each and every day to ensure we uphold the highest of standards; our community should expect nothing less,” said Police Chief Michael Kochis.
The 192 standards are grouped into the four categories of administration, operations, personnel, and training. Take a deeper look in the program manual.
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce prepared for sale of building
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has had its headquarters in downtown Charlottesville for decades, but they’ve closed their doors there for the last time.
Earlier this year, the Chamber put 415 East Market up for sale as I reported for C-Ville Weekly.
“With the sale of our downtown building, we are poised to invest in a new era of business advocacy for Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the surrounding region,” said Sasha Tripp, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Information on where the Chamber will move will be released after the sale closes.
Tripp stepped into the Board Chair position after Rebecca Ivins stepped down to serve as the interim CEO after Natalie Masri resigned earlier this year. Andrea Copeland is the chief operating officer.
The Chamber is still seeking a new president and CEO.
Second shout-out: Supporting the Keswick Heritage Fund’s Love Better Project
The Keswick Heritage Fund is a partnership of several churches in Albemarle County that provides education support and opportunities for professional development. One of their outreach programs is the Love Better Project, which provides scholarships to Black students in the Keswick area. The fund was created soon after the inaugural scholarship was awarded in 2020.
Grace Episcopal Church, Union Grove Baptist, Union Run Baptist, Zion Hill Baptist and St. John Church are united for growth through community partnership and education. To learn more about the fund, the scholarships, and the churches themselves, visit their website at keswickheritagefund.com.
More details on UVA’s new urban area from the Buildings and Grounds Committee
Construction at the University of Virginia does not depend on getting approvals from the city of Charlottesville or Albemarle County. Instead, the Board of Visitors has to sign off on the budgets and design of major capital projects.
At their meeting on December 5, 2024, the Buildings and Grounds Committee reviewed several projects including new student housing on Ivy Road, a future Center for the Arts, and a new road connection between Copeley Road and Milmont Street.
But first the group approved the schematic design for the North Grounds Parking Garage they last saw in June but stopped short of giving a blessing. Since June, the project has gone out to big under a design-build contract and Raucher said bids came in under budget.
“The garage is proposed for the intersection of Massey and Copley Roads as shown on the site plan just across the street from Palmer park, our softball stadium and parking for the JPJ arena to the east of it,” Raucher said. “It will provide 1030 parking spaces, spaces much needed for both the events in this area as well as for commuter parking.”
Raucher talked about how the design of the garage seeks to create a multimodal hub and how it has been set back from the roadway to allow the possibility of buildings being constructed to the street as the area becomes more urban.
When it came time to make a motion to approve the schematic design, BOV member Bert Ellis said he would be voting against this design and all other construction projects.
“ I'm going to vote no on any expenditures to be brought to this board until I have seen a 25/26 budget for this university that includes significant cuts in administrative expense,” Ellis said. “I am on record and personally believe that we can take $200 million out of our budget and in the process, we can eliminate a lot of duplicative and counterproductive programs and services that have crept into our organization through, I think, lack of budgetary discipline by this board.”
Ellis said the cuts could allow UVA to reduce tuition and provide more funds for athletic programs.
The budget for this project is $50 million and that will be paid for in a mixture of cash, debt, and auxiliary reserves.
One member of the committee said the appropriate venue to discuss the financial merits for the project would be the Board of Visitors’ Finance Committee.
“This is not about the financing,” said John Nau, the chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. “It's totally about design. Is it needed design? Is it appropriate and location?”
Before taking a vote there was discussion about who the parking garage would serve. The idea is to move some UVA employees who commute to this new garage to free up space in the Lewis Mountain garage for programs in the Emmet Ivy Corridor.
UVA is also in the midst of planning to build a new road connection that would extend Copeley Road to Millmont Street. President Jim Ryan asked for an update.
“We're actually doing a study, Jim, to determine the actual drawings and what the relative cost would be,” Raucher said. “So the idea is that we would come back to you and to the board with that plan. So I think we just need to know what the cost of that would be. But it would be very helpful in terms of unlocking what is really a large cul-de-sac of North Grounds.”
The UVA Foundation appears to be doing its part as well. Earlier this year, the real estate entity purchased three properties on Arlington Boulevard for $10.5 million. Looking at a map, all three would appear to be in between the northernmost section of Copeley Road and Millmont Street.
When it came time for the vote, Ellis followed through with his no vote.
The next item was to approve an amendment to the major capital plan for new student housing on Ivy Road.
“This has its roots in the 2030 strategic plan,” said Colette Sheehy, senior vice president for operations and state government relations. “The idea being that we should try to house more of our own undergraduate students on grounds, particularly second year students.”
Sheehy said the student experience can be improved if first-years know there is enough space for them to stay on Grounds a second year. This will be the first time UVA will enter into a public-private partnership with Capstone Development Partners taking the lead.
“We're currently estimating somewhere between 750 and 800 beds on this site in three different buildings,” Sheehy said.
The goal is to bring the buildings online by the summer of 2027 at a cost of between 150 million and 160 million. That’s why the Major Capital Plan has to be amended.
Sheehy said this location is moving ahead before a similar project on Emmet Street because construction is already underway on other projects in the Emmet Ivy Corridor including Hourigan’s work on the Karsh Institute of Democracy. They’ll be part of this project as well.
One member of the Board of Visitors who is not a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee said UVA should have purchased the site across the street at 2117 Ivy Road which is being development by the private sector. Sheehy addressed the comment.
“Well, that property, we probably should be talking about this in executive session, but we have tried to purchase that property and it was not available to us,” Sheehy said.
It is not currently mandatory for second year students to live on Grounds, but President Ryan said a goal is to build enough units to make that possible.
“At a certain point, once we have enough inventory, the idea is if you come to UVA, you'll be living on Grounds for the first and second year,” Ryan said.
After some discussion, the Buildings and Grounds Committee voted to approve the amendment as well as demolition of remaining buildings on the site. Ellis was again the lone vote against.
The panel also had a preliminary discussion on the schematic design of the proposed Center for the Arts. More on that in a future edition of the newsletter.
Reading material for #775
ACPS selects contractor for Mountain View Upper Elementary, CBS19 News, December 5, 2024
Legislation supports emergency road construction for Wintergreen residents, Mark Gad, CBS19 News, December 5, 2024
As population and revenues slide, and controversies mount, the Giles County town of Glen Lyn will vote Tuesday on whether to disband, Michael Hemphill, Cardinal News, December 6, 2024
Bon voyage, #775!
This is the eighth day in a row that something has been sent out in the feed. I’m only writing that out because I don’t think I imagined that I’d actually be at this space when I began this work four and a half years ago. I’m grateful for paid subscribers and for the various entities that pay me.
I’m keeping this short because I have plans this evening and I still need to get the radio version for WTJU produced. I got up at 4 a.m. this morning to record the narration because I live next to a construction site and I knew I had to get all of this information out today.
You have one more month to take advantage of a sponsorship I’ve had with Ting since April 2021. Ting will match your first contribution and I’m grateful for the additional fuel they have provided. 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
This edition originally went out with a November 6, 2024 headline. I'm scratching my head to understand how I managed that. I regret the error.