The two owners of the Charlottesville Ice Park are arguing over the future of the facility. Lee Danielson wants to shut it down, telling the Progress that “the ice park should have closed down long ago. Economically, it has not worked.” But business partner Colin Rolph said that “the ice park is not going to be closed. It would be a huge loss to downtown. It’s still there, and it’s just fine, and it’s not going to be closed.” Regarding Danielson’s comments, he said that “Lee is basically not part of Charlottesville anymore.” Jack Mooney has an extensive story in today’s Progress.
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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I hate to say I told you so–
Heck, no — I love to! So I love to say I told you so, but, uh, I told you so. Back in 1994, when Danielson was first proposing all of this to City Council, I argued that there was no way that the business could be profitable, and we’d have a big building that would be worthless for anything but running an ice skating rink. It was pointed out (rightly) that the viability of the business had nothing to do with whether they should be permitted to build and operate it, but I couldn’t help but think that the idea seemed simply impossible for our area.
It’s nice to know that I was right. Given what a bummer that it would be to see that building empty, though, I certainly wish that I had been wrong!
-Waldo
It’s too soon to say you’re right. Rolph said the ice park use for the building is viable and Danielson says the building is appropriate for other uses. The city will probably end up buying it :)
Kevin Cox