I’ve heard people remark about the large number of vacant spaces on the Downtown Mall recently, something we haven’t seen much of since about fifteen years ago. Henry Graff reports for NBC-29 that the real estate might be empty, but it’s spoken for. Only 3% of all Downtown Mall spaces are vacant, while everything else that looks shut down is undergoing renovations or have leases pending.
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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… and 49.9% of it is owned by Coran Capshaw!
“There are a lot of rumors flying around about what new businesses will be coming to the mall but no officials are going on the record about any of the rumors.” Seeing is believing.
“But the city isn’t waiting for the dust to settle. Charlottesville is cutting through the red tape of development by putting new zoning laws in place to make it easier to have a business on the mall.” I noticed that the city fathers are reticent on this rallying point, too. Sorry, the days that I believe anything coming out of city hall or thse welfare recipients are long over.
I still think the Downtown Mall is going through hard times. I thought it was even before this economic downturn. Those 3 huge buildings next to Wachovia are a huge drain on the mall and an eyesore. Plus there are many other empty buildings. I’ll believe they all have great new tenants coming when I see it.
The mall is a wonderful entertainment destination – plays, movies, bands, and tons of food. But I don’t think this is enough. In order to be a vibrant area, it needs to have shopping (clothes), services (dentists), hardware-type store, etc. I know this won’t be popular, but we need some chain clothing stores. I think a mix of chains and boutiques is the healthiest mix, like Barracks Road. Very few locals think of downtown as a shopping area. Especially for men.
Similar malls in Burlington, VT and Boulder, CO do have chain stores and the malls are more vibrant than ours. I’ll go to the mall for more than food if I can find a GAP.