Current Neighborhood Issues
March 10, 2010
City Budget for Fiscal year 2011
Passing the budget is the most important thing the City Council does all year. Most decisions are based on available funding. There are several opportunities for you to directly participate in the budget process.
Wednesday, March 10, 5-7pm, City Hall basement conference rm --- Council Work Session (Opportunity to speak after session)*
Monday, March 15, 7pm, City Council Chambers --- Public Hearing on Real Estate Tax Rate
Wednesday, March 17, 5-7pm basement conference rm --- Council Work Session *
Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm, City Space --- COMMUNITY BUDGET FORUM (Your chance to speak one-on-one with Councilors.)
Wednesday, March 31, 5-7pm, basement conference rm --- Council Work Session *
Monday, April 5, 7pm, City Council Chambers --- Public Hearing
Wednesday, April 7, 5-7pm--- Council Work Session (Often canceled if work finished in first two work sessions.)
Budget Supplement Notebook – http://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?page=2723 (scroll down the page) - this is the information Council follows during the work sessions. The Table of Contents tells you the topics they will be discussing.
Posted by Colette Hall
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March 10, 2010
NDRA/ND Neighborhood Meeting Thursday, March 25, 7 PM, Library, 3rd floor
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
AGENDA for NDRA/ND MEETING
Thursday, March 25, 2010, 7 pm, central library, 3rd floor
Presenters: Officer Finkel CPD and Ms. DeViney on Fire Corps and smoke detectors, their presentations will be first.
Approval of January 28, 2010 minutes
Treasurer’s report:
Old Business:
A. Recognition of ND businesses – Mark Kavit
B. Update on MCP/250 Interchange
7:30 - NDRA members or ND residents present, we invite you to inform us what agenda issue you came to discuss or hear discussed.
New Business:
A. Presentation by District 3 on crime status in North Downtown
B. Presentation on Fire Corps and smoke detectors
C. Report of latest Alliance of Neighborhood mtg and survey
D. NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCACY
ANNOUNCEMENT: Community Budget Forum, Wednesday, March 24, 7pm, City Space (entire schedule for Budget on web site)
Posted by Colette Hall
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March 8, 2010
Save McInitre Park Fundraiser
Sunday, March 28, 2pm, C’ville Coffee, $15
6 VAUDEVILLE ACTS – featuring “Dr. Levine & the Dreaded Blues Lady” plus three former Mayors, among others.
All proceeds go to Preserve McIntire Park Legal Fund
Posted by Colette Hall
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March 2, 2010
Reservoir Dredge Study Report
Here is the first news about the NEW dredge report and much that the former consultants and the RWSA told us was inaccurate.
1. There are millions of gallons more water than first estimated
2. It is not silting as fast
3. There is only half the amount of sediment reported needed to be remove
4. It will be cheaper to dredge, in the ballpark of $10 million, than based on previous RWSA bids.
Posted by Colette Hall
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February 25, 2010
Neighborhood Advocate
”. . .the City Council heard a report from staff on the idea of hiring what is tentatively being termed a “Neighborhood Advocate”.[For full report email me at ]. . . this position would work with the Assistant City Manager to keep in touch with the neighborhoods on a more regular basis. . .
The position would be responsible for maintaining contact with the neighborhoods, helping to re-invigorate dormant neighborhood associations,. . . developing ways for associations to attract more members and other responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant City Manager. As proposed, a vacant position in NDS would be moved to the City Manager’s Office.
The report also highlights other ways the City can better interact with our residents. The Council and staff see the report as the beginning of a process with all of you. Your feedback on the report and especially the neighborhood advocate position is vitally important
Maurice Jones
Assistant City Manager
http://www.charlottesville.org”
Do we need this $50,000 - 70,000 position?
Posted by Colette Hall
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February 19, 2010
City Fire Corps and Smoke Dectectors
Fire Corps are volunteers that offer the CFD non-operational support. They are now taking applications
The Free Smoke Detector Program is an initiative of the Fire Corps. The purpose is to provide free functional smoke detectors to all City residents.
You must be a City resident. To get a free smoke detector, call the Neighborhood Safety Hotline 970-3245 or use the online form at https://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?recordid=89&page=45 CFD personnel will contact you by telephone to schedule an installation appointment.
Posted by Colette Hall
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February 7, 2010
Planning & Coordination Council (PACC)
PACC, a body composed of the City, County and UVA, schedule:
Thursday, May 20, 2 pm, City Space
Thursday, August 19, 2 pm, City Space
Thursday, November 18, 2pm, City Space
Parking is available in the Market St. parking garage.
Meetings are open to the public and a good way to find our how the three entities coordinate (or not) projects and issues.
Posted by Colette Hall
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January 30, 2010
MJH 8K Race & 4K walk
The race/walk is Saturday, March 13, start 8am. It affects these North Downtown streets: North 1st, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Park, E. Jefferson, High, Market and Water. You may have difficulty moving your vehicle from this area once the race has started. For more info go to http://www.mjhfoundation.org/mj8krun-4kwalk
Posted by Colette Hall
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January 21, 2010
Alliance of Neighborhoods
The Alliance of Neighborhoods, a volunteer umbrella organization, of City and County neighbors, is looking for interested persons to sit on its Board and Committees. It’s mission is to enhance the influence and organization of neighborhoods in the City and County urban ring. North Downtown is a member.
Contact: Colette or 296-6224.
Posted by Colette Hall
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December 21, 2009
Car breaks-ins in ND and other neighborhoods
”. . . several vehicles were once again hit. I have spoken to the police. . . advice lock your car and don’t leave any valuables inside.
Every week a map is created from all of the previous week’s police reports. This map highlights the area’s “hot” spots and the police then focus their attention on that area. If we want these perpetrators caught and the break ins to stop we all need to call (970-3280) the police station and file a report EVERY time. Every time we notice a break in, or something just looks off or we notice someone we don’t necessarily recognize acting suspiciously. . . no complaint is to small and that every odd incident should be reported. . . If anything looks amiss err on the side of caution and report it, either by calling or filling out the online reporting form on the police department’s website.
JVNA President [Johnson Village]
We have had recent car break-ins on Lyons Ave, Lyons CT, Cargil and Evergreen. Please heed the above advice.
Posted by Colette Hall
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December 14, 2009
Award for Preservation
On December 6, the Thomas Jefferson Branch of Preservation Virginia presented an “Award for Preservation” to the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park [NDRA is a CPMP member]. The award was in recognition of the group’s efforts to save McIntire Park from a road-building project in the park’s east side.
Posted by Colette Hall
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August 29, 2009
Need part-time help?
Ever need help with clearing an attic, basement, garage or yardwork? Hope Community Center has folks who can work part-time as needed.
Website: http://www.hopecommunitycenter.org or call for Josh Bare, Director, 434-872-0200.
Posted by Colette Hall
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April 5, 2009
Preserve McIntire Park
Have you ever walked the area where the proposed parkway/road will go? The safest way there is to walk across the Park St. Bridge and use the sidewalk along 250, where the sidewalk ends, the east park begins. This is where the road will go. Hundreds of trees will be lost and tons and tons of dirt will be moved. The low areas will be filled and the ridged area to your left—the upper golf course—will be leveled.
The neighborhood requests the city provide a more accessible entrance, walking trails, and bike paths to this gem of a park without destroying it with a road. Our neighborhood is perfectly situated to make daily use of this wonderful green space, but we need safe access to it on foot and bike.
I offer to lead you on a walk through this quiet and beautiful space before it becomes another shadow in the memory that once was McIntire Park. Call me at 296-6224 or email me at so we can get together.
Please consider saving the park.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, write a check to The Sierra Club Foundation and on the memo line “Preserve McIntire Park Litigation” and mail to:
Sierra Club, Piedmont Group
P.O. Box 5531
Charlottesville, VA 22905
Thank you for your support to save our “Central Park.”
Posted by Colette Hall
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March 2, 2009
Beautify North Downtown
The bump-outs on 2nd St/Perry Dr and Park Plaza/Parkway need attention and volunteers. Do you have an urge to garden, but no land, or like to see ND remain beautiful? If so, contact Elvira, coordinator, at
Posted by Colette Hall
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February 16, 2009
US Army Corps of Engineers & Consulting Parties Meeting
The North Downtown neighborhood has been accepted as a Consulting Party to the USACE permitting process regarding McIntire Rd. Extended, that is, 250 to Melbourne Rd./east McIntire Park. Please see “Historic Properties” posting further below.
Posted by Colette Hall
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January 15, 2009
NDRA/ND membership
We welcome you to NDRA, to strengthen your voice in City matters and to encourage your input into what NDRA says and does on behalf of our neighborhood. Therefore, we request that you become/renew your membership by either sending a check for $10 (per household) to PO Box 1739, Charlottesville, 22902 or making a payment via Paypal at the “renew your NDRA membership online” link in the right-hand column of this webpage.
Thank you for supporting your neighborhood association.
Posted by Colette Hall
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November 5, 2008
Future Water Plan
City Council recently expressed concerns about the Water Plan. The land for a pipe-line is where? How much will it cost? To spend money on a new 112 foot dam may be a waste of ratepayers money. A bigger new dam requires a pipeline. We do need to repair the present Ragged Mt. Dam, but a bigger dam?
Dredging is a viable option to spending hundreds of millions of dollars, at this time
Please e-mail the Council ( ) and BOS () and encourage them to avoid spending more money needlessly, especially in these tough economic times.
Posted by Colette Hall
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June 6, 2008
Report on CC 250 Interchange Design work session
Council held a work session on June 4, 08 to sort out what ideas need to be modified: to keep costs within the Federal earmark, to decrease the size/mass, to maintain bike/pedestrian access, to solve the Hillcrest closure dilemma, to fit this structure into the historic landscape, to avoid cut-through traffic on ND residential streets, and to redesign Nelson/Perry Drs. intersections.
Results: modified G 1 Alternative (250 Interchange web site- right sidebar - for G1 photo), signalized intersection, flat bridge rather than arches, move trail closer to road (these four will result in smaller footprint and hopefully project will come in within earmark)
Possible - only have trail on McIntire Rd. to 250 on the west side of McIntire which means one has to enter /cross at Harris St.area.
Hillcrest St. closure not addressed other than consultant said, it has to close due to ramp
No additional attempt made to mitigate the effects on the historic surroundings.
Redesign Nelson & Perry intersections is under review . . . by traffic engineer.
Posted by Colette Hall
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May 14, 2008
Regardless of whom you are owner, renter, socioeconomic level, employed, or student the water/sewer rates are increasing and you will be paying more. Water/sewer treatment centers are/will undergo renovation.
The RWSA’s 50 Year Water Supply Plan proposal will have huge implications for our community. All city residents and those in the urban county will see drastically increased water/sewer bills for years to come, far into the future.
Whatever plan is chosen to provide enough water for 50 years, the money for that must be in any plan that our elected officials approve. The money will also go toward sewer infrastructure and water/sewer treatment center renovations.
1. The dam has escalated in price from $37.2 million to a minimum of $85 million and more likely over $100 million
2. A major portion of the pipe-line route is not viable and so there is neither a route, design or cost assumption of any kind available for this necessary component of the 50 year plan.
3. There has been a collapse of the world’s financial markets putting the economy in a tailspin, bringing about ever increasing deficits in the national, state and local budgets, and creating the need to re-examine all local expenditures including education.
Read more.
Posted by Colette Hall
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February 25, 2008
NDRA President Awarded “2008 Citizen Planner of the Year”
NDRA President Colette Hall was the recipient of the Charlottesville’s 2008 Citizen Planner of the Year award!
The award states:
“Colette is recognized for keeping track and staying in tune with a multitude of issues affecting the North Downtown area including the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange and traffic and zoning concerns in her neighborhood. She is neighborhood president and has made a point to attend countless public meetings in the past year.”
Posted by NDRA Administrator
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December 12, 2007
Historic Properties/ 250 Interchange Design PH was held 10 29 09
Final public hearing for the 250 Interchange design was held
“Historic Properties” eligible for the National Registry: 501 and 502 Park Hill, Rock Hill Landscape garden (now MACAA), McIntire Park, and the McIntire Golf Course. The Vietnam Memorial is ineligible although it appears to be the first Vietnam Memorial in the USA.
NDRA was granted “consulting party” status by the FHWA regarding the 250 Interchange effects on “historic properties.” The Neighborhood will be now be able to attend the previous “private” meetings and add its voice regarding “historic properties” that are located in the North Downtown Neighborhood. These properties may be negatively affected by the proposed 250 Interchange Project.
Posted by Colette Hall
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