Belle writes: Bob Gibson’s column in this weekend’s Progress describes the brakes former Governor Gilmore put on UVa’s plans for the Blue Ridge Hospital property. Gibson describes these restrictions as wise, given the University’s increasingly grandiose plans for expansion – on that property, and elsewhere in the City and Albemarle Co. – all to be done up in a architectural style one critic describes as “Jefferson on steroids”.
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
four six 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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Gibson’s article is here . . . at least for the next few days.
Can’t get enough Belle-linked articles!
I think Governor Gilmore was simply trying to make sure that on a property which is classified as historical does not become a commercial office park. He recognizes that the role of the University is to educate the citizens of Virginia and that turning a historical property into another North Fork does not improve the education of anyone. Gilmore was right on this one.
So Gilmore, who had dealt extensively with the University, was unwilling to deed over the Blue Ridge property without any limitations. The Governor simply did not trust Casteen, Sandridge & Company to engage in good land use planning of the kind that would respect the historic structures on the site and the University’s core mission. It saddens me to say that Gilmore’s judgment was sound.