The Progress reports that City Council debated the impact of the proposed development of the Sperry Marine property at the 29/Hydraulic intersection. An out-of-state deveoper wants to put in a big theater, some stores, a hotel, and apparently some residences, too. Though development of the property fits into the plans to develop Charlottesville’s urban ring, county supervisors and city councilors dislike the “big-box” stores that would be constructed. Councilor Maurice Cox expressed concerned about traffic, as existing roads would likely be unable to handle the load. Councilor Kevin Lynch, never shy about such things, said that the planned development was “exactly wrong.”
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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Who are these fools that think that there’s room left in this town for another theater? Hey, why not throw in a restaraunt and a few art galleries while you’re at it?
Okay, I can save everyone a lot of time:
Step one-
Developer wants to build something stupid, something inappropriate and nearly everyone agrees it’s a bad idea.
Step two-
People go to meetings, argue about foolishness of building this thing.
Step three-
City Council put their heads together. One of them says, “But there’s MONEY to be made!”
Step four-
Other members slap their foreheads and say, “Oh, right – there’s MONEY to be made! What were we thinking, opposing this?”
Step five-
Stupid, inappropriate development proceeds with the blessing of City Council.
Janis Jaquith
author of “Birdseed Cookies: A Fractured Memoir”
http://www.radioessays.com