Charlottesville Tomorrow has an excellent update on the status of the proposed/pending/possible Albemarle Place development.
The impact that this development will have on its immediate surroundings is not insignificant. Adding thousands of vehicle trips every day to this area, with no substantial infrastructure improvements will be a “bad thing.” This project has been in development for an unreasonable and unfair amount of time – unfair and unreasonable to all involved – the developer, the residents, possible tenants …
On the question of a long-term grade-separated interchange for US 29 and Hydraulic (i.e. Hydraulic road traffic would pass over US 29), Frank Cox says he has come to an agreement with VDOT and the County to fund the preliminary engineering for a design. This interchange design would then become part of the “official map” and thus a clearly defined transportation project. That, however, does not guarantee any funding or a specific timeline for construction. An interchange plan would allow Mr. Cox to move ahead with development of Albemarle Place as the right-of-way line would be designated allowing him to finalize building locations.
Without funding, how can development be allowed to proceed? Rather than provide snips of pertinent pieces, read the whole thing; it’s all pertinent. This is, in my opinion, another example of the need for a regional transportation authority that is able to make decisions rather than offer opinions and studies. Something has to be done rather than study possible solutions.
