Groundbreaking was held yesterday for a 42-unit condominium being built in Belmont, near downtown. The location isn’t clear in the Progress story, but based on the sketch, it’s pretty close to the coal tower. The project is being headed by mega-developers Frank Stoner and Robert Hauser, known mostly for their extensive contributions to development of the suburban ring around Charlottesville. The three-story apartments are scheduled for completion by next spring. Jake Mooney has the 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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Here’s how 29 reported the story over the weekend:
Bill Duvall, WVIR 29 Morning Anchor: “It took 12 years, but developers, the City of Charlottesville and Belmont residents broke ground on a new development for the old CSX railroad property. This site was once the railroad’s fueling station and a loading depot. Soon 42 loft style apartments will sit beside the railway tracks. Developers say the two buildings merge industrial character of the railroad and the character of the Belmont neighborhood.”
Frank Stoner, Stonehaus Development: “This was sort of a logical extension of a pre-existing development pattern, and one which maximized the open space — which the community was very concerned about — and accomplished the objective of providing residential housing.”
Blake Caravati, Charlottesville Mayor: “We are a small city and we have to grow in order to prosper, and they way that we grow is in fill and up and greater densities. And this is a really creative answer to dealing with a property that nobody wanted.”
Bill Duvall: “Left over coal, limestone, and diesel remain in the soil as reminders of the old railroad. The City of Charlottesville covered the 180 thousand dollars clean-up cost.”