How many Town Centers do we need in CharlAlbemarle?

Just in CharlAlbemarle –

– Hollymead Town Center (archived: 2007) (29 North)
– Old Trail Town Center (archived: 2008) (Crozet, West of Charlottesville)
– Belvedere Town Center (archived: 2023) (North Central Charlottesville) – link not yet live
– Albemarle Place (archived: 2007) (Central Charlottesville)
– North Pointe (29 North)
– The Downtown Mall (City Center)
– Eventually there will be one in or around the Biscuit Run development to the South of the City.

Update 05-02-2007: Here is my first attempt at Google MyMaps; it was too easy.

What are the effects and impacts of the proliferation of town centers? Both short- and long-term?  A loss of identity. A loss of the “Small town” feel that has been so appealing. More shopping.

From a real estate perspective, these may have very different and varied effects:

– One will be that some buyers will want to be as close as possible to the town centers to take advantage of the “walkability” of what these town centers will offer.

– On the flip side, the town centers will drive perhaps an equal number away from these town centers; these people want access to the shopping offered, but don’t want to see or deal with the town centers and the traffic, congestion, sounds, smells, etc. on a daily basis.

– And even further, some will be driven further out in the rural areas so that they can get as far away as possible.

What is the common denominator? The automobile.

I fear that the analogy of Northern Virginia may in fact be coming to fruition, albeit on a much smaller scale. Midtown Reston Town Center (archived: 2008), Reston Town Center, Sterling Town Center or Dulles Town Center, anyone?

Which town centers am I missing in the surrounding Counties?  Might there be any readers from Northern Virginia who live and work in or near their Town Centers? Any transplants to C’Ville who are willing to share their perspective?

Update #2 05/02/2007 – Interesting and relevant article from the WSJ blog today.

Right now, my husband and I are still renting, but we have started to think of making the big purchase. Already issues have come up: I want to be near the small downtown, within walking distance of the grocery store and pharmacy, while my husband prefers a more tranquil neighborhood farther out. I have no problem moving somewhere for a year or two and then trying something different; my husband dreads moving and wants to hold off until we find the perfect place – so we will stay put for a while.