NDRA | North Downtown Residents Association

About NDRA

2007-09-09T23:31:00Z

From South Street and the Downtown Mall to the 250 Bypass, and from McIntire and Birdwood Road in the west to Kelly Avenue in the east, North Downtown is located in the heart of Charlottesville.

The North Downtown Residents Association is our neighborhood’s voice in matters of community and neighborhood concern, uniting the thoughts and concerns of many into one voice that speaks for the neighborhood as a whole. We need your ideas, your suggestions, your help, and we welcome your support.

Unless we make our opinions known on issues of common concern, neighborhood interests can easily be ignored or simply taken for granted. The NDRA serves as a clearinghouse for information, a forum for discussion of neighborhood issues and a vehicle for making our concerns known to those who make decisions. Join us and make your voice heard.

City Budget for Fiscal year 2011

2010-03-10T20:44:00Z

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.

NDRA/ND Neighborhood Meeting Thursday, March 25, 7 PM, Library, 3rd floor

2010-03-10T20:40:00Z

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)

Save McInitre Park Fundraiser

2010-03-08T15:27:00Z

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

Reservoir Dredge Study Report

2010-03-02T20:39:00Z

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.

Neighborhood Advocate

2010-02-25T21:19:00Z

”. . .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 colettehall@embarqmail.com]. . . 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?

City Fire Corps and Smoke Dectectors

2010-02-19T20:12:01Z

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.

Planning & Coordination Council (PACC)

2010-02-07T20:52:00Z

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.

MJH 8K Race & 4K walk

2010-01-30T23:08:00Z

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

Alliance of Neighborhoods

2010-01-21T19:21:01Z

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 colettehall@embarqmail.com or 296-6224.

Car breaks-ins in ND and other neighborhoods

2009-12-21T21:52:00Z

”. . . 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.

Award for Preservation

2009-12-14T16:21:00Z

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.

Need part-time help?

2009-08-29T21:12:00Z

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.

Preserve McIntire Park

2009-04-05T18:26:01Z

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 colettehall@embarqmail.com 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.”

Beautify North Downtown

2009-03-02T21:38:00Z

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 elvirahoskins@gmail.com