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.
Jim – You ask… “how can development be allowed to proceed” without funding for road improvements? I have given a little more information on that subject here. Brian Wheeler
If Cox has to wait on an interchange then the project will not happen. The government officials in this area dont know how to make anything but plans and meetings when it comes to road construction.
If they’re planning an interchange at Hydraulic and 29, I’d also like to see one at Rio and 29. It’s what they should’ve done there to begin with.
Otherwise I agree with uva08. Road construction, if it ever passes the planning stages, takes forever and a day to complete. Unless of course you’re U.V.A. funding the project privately and cutting V.D.O.T. out of the loop entirely.
Additionally they better plan in some pedestrian cat-walks if they plan on allowing for foot traffic from the new development to whatever it is they call that shopping center behind K-mart.
While I can’t say I agree 100% I pretty much like how you say it.