ColinC writes: Government officials broke ground yesterday on new renovations to the Court Square district of downtown Charlottesville. The area will take on a more historic look in order to attract tourists, with brick streets and sidewalks guiding visitors from the Downtown Mall to Court Square. Utility lines will be moved underground, and plaques will be set up at the sites of Charlottesville’s original buildings. The project is expected to cost around $3 million. WINA and the Daily Progress have the story. (From 91.9 WNRN.)
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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Moving utility lines underground is always a good idea. Expanding the downtown area to encompass more than one street is also a good idea. Now if only they could find a way to encourage businesses to actually be open more often, that would too be a good idea.
"Now if only they could find a way to encourage businesses to actually be open more often, that would too be a good idea."
More tourists/patrons == More profitable business hours == Longer hours.
Hopefully.
Now you can correct me if I am wrong:
The downtown business owners wanted to have a event weekly to bring traffic to the downtown. Hence the Friday After Fives was born. Soon, the masses of people decided to make the trip to the mall during the summer months on Friday especially. But the downtown business owners do not like the type of people the FAF attracts hence they would close before 5. Or these downtown business owners feeling left out would close thier business to take in FAF.
Also, lets not forget about parking. For those of us not driving a vespa. You have to pay 5 dollars or more to park. Could you imagine Fashion Square getting greedy and charging for parking. You would notice the empty spaces at the mall.
EH, FORGET ABOUT IT!
they should tear down court square and build a target there. that’d bring people downtown.
lol
It’s catch 22, isn’t it? What is the formula for success?
Well, one ingredient I can give is to band together. There’s no obvious coordination between downtown businesses at this time. How many times have we been there and virtually nothing is open, even in the middle of the day! The businesses need to make a coordinated effort to provide a modicum of services, at least from 8 AM to 9PM. For instance, there must be at least a full-menu restaurant open every day of the week during those hours. One of the main reasons people eat at Apple-Bee’s is they know what to expect in terms of open hours and type of fare. You can’t expect people to regularly visit downtown businesses when the days you check them out, they’re *all* closed.
For instance, a diner like the Hardware Store is great, but it’s often closed.
How about a pet store there? Or an athletic outfit? I’m impatient to find out what kind of shows they’ll offer at the Paramount. Right now, we have to go to Richmond for any kind of Broadway show. Perhaps cville could associate with the UVA drama department and split some shows with Culbreth Theatre!?
On the other hand, parking on the downtown mall during FAF is now sooo much easier, since they started charging for admission.
I can’t help but think that this is a bad sign for FAF itself, though.
this own downtown is anal about parking. I remember one night we decided to go to Wild Wings. And there was some guy in a van telling us that it was 4 dollars to park. We told him we were gong to Wild Wings and he told us to park near the bridge. YET YET, that parking lot was like 1/3 full. Great Idea, if people wanted to go out, lets hit them up for some extra.
Cville blows sometimes (noticed I said sometimes)
And where exactly are these tourists going to park?
Every time I read your post I consider you my newest and bestes friend. LOL
The Paramount talks of great billing to come. Let us both hope it comes to pass. Then again……………………………………………….