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.
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A SPECIAL MEETING of CITY COUNCIL will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m in the City Hall Basement Conference Room.
THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: (Closed session as provided by Section 2.2-3712 of the Virginia Code) Interviews: Planning Commission (interviews will be open to the public for observation only)
BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR
“With a clear focus on achieving a cleaner, safer, more environmentally-sustainable and attractive Downtown Mall, the Charlottesville Downtown Pedestrian Mall has been undergoing a community-driven interactive process for a structural and cosmetic update with MMM Design Group since October 2007. The project, slated to begin construction in early 2009, will preserve the current design, work to eliminate structural and safety concerns, update materials and add extended life to the City’s pedestrian-friendly center core.” City staff
“The construction period is 5 months. . . . the first month is December [2008] when much of the material will be ordered and “out of sight” work will be done. The intent is still to start on January 2nd and finish on April 30th at the latest.” City staff
For updates on the project design through the summer and fall, http://www.mydowntownmall.com, or contact Jim Tolbert or Tony Edwards at NDS, 970-3182.
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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.
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.
http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2008/05/22/NEWS-waterPlanCitizensPlanContrasts.aspx
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On May 5, City Council decided to send the applicant back to the BAR on June 17 to see if the front of the building, which appears to alienate itself from the fabric of the neighborhood, can be redesigned. They did not address the issue of mass and scale.
At the June 17th BAR meeting, “. . .with the BAR’s comments overwhelmingly NOT supporting the house.” The issue goes back to City Council on August 18. Are you concerned this may set a neighborhood precedent regarding mass/size? Do we need a zoning change regrading infill, demolition and massing/size to avoid this situation in the future?
Please attend City Council on August 18 and support the appeal.
]]>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.”
Way to go, Colette!
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To insure the survival of the neighborhood, to protect its integrity and maintain its character, residents must educate themselves on the footprint, mass, effect, and longevity of the proposed 250 Interchange.
This project is a monster, folks, and we need to make our voices heard NOW.
Full info at the 250 Interchange website.
]]>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.
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NORTH DOWNTOWN
1. Third Street NE: Now open to pedestrians only.
2. Downtown Mall: Status: Planning stages
The City hosted several meetings in the past months with various stakeholders in the Downtown Mall project. Final plans before Council at July 21 meeting.
3. 301 W. Main Rezoning/Site Plan: Status: Rezoning Approved/Site Plan:
A proposed 9 story mixed use development on the corner of West Main Street and McIntire Road. This development is proposed to have 79 condo units, 4 retail establishments, underground parking and provide streetscape improvements along the 300 block of Main Street. The BAR has given conditional approval, but the project exterior design still needs to be tweaked.
4. First and Main: Status: In Review
The applicant has deferred review of this project in order to address staff comments and make some decisions about how to proceed. This plan will go to the Planning Commission for review prior to approval. No change.
5. Hotel Charlottesville: Status: Planned completion July, 09
6. 600 East Water Street: Status: The plan is for construction to begin soon. This is another nine story called the “Waterhouse” with row-house appearance buildings to face South St. and mixed use facing Water St., at least on the street level,
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You can:
Contact ,
President, NDRA
or call her at 434-296-6224.
OR
send email to our general address:
info@northdowntown.org
and we’ll either answer you or forward it to someone who can assist you.
2008 meeting dates:
January 31
February 28
March 27
April 24
May 29 (annual picnic planning)
June 26
August 28
Articles of Incorporation and NDRA ByLaws (pdf)
March 2008. (pdf)
February 2008 (pdf)
January 2008 (pdf)
December 2007 (pdf)
October 2007 (pdf)
September 2007 (pdf)
August 2007 (pdf)
June 2007 (pdf)
(President)
Robertson Lane
Mike Johnson
Northwood Avenue
Liz Jones
Hillcrest Road
Mark Kavit
Altamont Street
Robert LeHeup (Treasurer)
Jefferson Street
Ernie Reed
Farish Street
Ruth Stornetta (Vice President)
2nd Street N.W.
Debra Weiss
Hedge Street
Burnie Davis (Secretary)
Wine Street
Diane Wilson
Wine Street
Make checks payable to NDRA, and send to:
North Downtown Residents Association
PO Box 1739
Charlottesville VA 22902
OR
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