Albemarle County has received a $23,450 grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program to fund the installation of a green roof on the county office building. (The structure need to be re-roofed, anyhow.) Rather than using traditional roofing materials, the new roof will essentially be a lawn on top of the standard rooftop. Green roofs have become popular for environmentally-friendly construction, because they keep the structures cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and handle runoff that would otherwise have to be dealt with through channelling. It won’t be whole roof, just 20%. Replacement will be done next summer. Liesel Nowak has the story in today’s Progress.
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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Very impressive move on the county’s part. Properly designed and installed green roofs pay for themselves in little time (though it’s better with new construction; still, I understand that the county is trying to set an example here), require very little maintenance, and are totally nonintrusive. Charlottesville would be a better place if every big-box store chose to install a green roof.
well they match the big rocks that protect them from terrorists?
I agree. This is an example of government encouraging a good trend. Bravo.
On a somewhat related note…. I own a house with American-style shingles and ever since I visited Italy I’ve been wondering why we use such crappy materials for roofs over here. Although spanish tile doesn’t fit with the Georgian architectural theme of the area, I do believe that slate roofs are an excellent choice.