gabe writes: I’ve gotten three calls today from people complaining about the design of Barbara Shifflett’s new restaurant, Estatione on West Main Street. Is it really the place of city officials to question the aesthetics of an entrepreneur bringing new life and vitality to an area neglected by those same people.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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That depends — is it really, really ugly?
;)
I think the landscaping looks great. There’s a good number of different kinds of trees/shrubs that look very Dr. Seuss.
As for the fountain, I know I mocked the Rapture sculpture, but that was because it was uninteresting and poorly constructed. I haven’t seen this fountain, so I haven’t anything to say.
Is there a photo of this thing online?
I could see questioning the aesthetics of, say, another suburban nightmare concoction of cinder block. Or that monstrosity on Grady Ave, ‘Striper John’s.’
And I’ve wanted to take a bulldozer to the ‘Brown’s Cleaners’ box since I first laid eyes on it.