Latest News

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  03.20.19 Community Design 3 MIN READ

  Clock Shop building, once slated for demolition, closer to becoming a distillery

  A building near the Downtown Mall that has served many purposes since it was erected in the 1950s once was on the verge of demolition, but a proposed distillery has taken a step toward breathing new life into... More

  

  Charlotte Rene Woods
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  03.15.19 Climate Change 5 MIN READ

  Charlottesville, Albemarle students rally in support of sustainable climate policy

  Amid chants, a group of area youth gathered at the Charlottesville Free Speech Wall at noon Friday to take part in the Global Youth Strike for Climate Change. The local rally was organized by two students, Gudrun Campbell, a sixth... More

  

  Maury Brown

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  03.15.19 Transportation 3 MIN READ

  Street parking is out, trees and bike lanes are in

  Despite heavy use of the 25 on-street spots on Fontaine Avenue, a planned upgrade of the Charlottesville street between U.S. 29 and Jefferson Park Avenue might eliminate parking altogether. Stakeholders and members of the public who have participated in the... More

  

  Emily Hays

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  Mission

  To inform and engage the public by providing clear, non-partisan information and research on land use, transportation, community design and public education issues with the confidence an informed public will make decisions that will protect and build upon the distinctive character of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area.

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  03.14.19 Land Use - Charlottesville 3 MIN READ

  Developers explore redeveloping Artful Lodger building downtown

  The western end of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall is seeing a swelling of development interest as construction of the Center of Developing Entrepreneurs office building begins at the site of the now-demolished Main Street Arena. Jeffrey Levien’s Heirloom Development took an... More

  

  Emily Hays
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  03.13.19 Land Use - Charlottesville 5 MIN READ

  Low density, likely high-priced homes in Belmont get panel’s OK

  After a failed attempt six years ago to add density, Bruce Wardell is close to developing two parcels in Charlottesville’s Belmont neighborhood into three likely-to-be expensive homes. Despite consternation about the probability of a high price point for... More

  

  Elliott Robinson
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  03.12.19 Education 3 MIN READ

  Record-high interest in culturally responsive teaching in Albemarle

  Ten years ago, Bernard Hairston hypothesized that Albemarle County could close achievement gaps between students from different racial and class backgrounds by teaching to their cultural backgrounds. Hairston, who is now an assistant superintendent in the school division, worked with... More

  

  Emily Hays
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  03.10.19 Bicycles 2 MIN READ

  TJPDC OK's bike-pedestrian plan

  After a unanimous vote by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, the updated Jefferson Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is moving forward. “I think there’s a great opportunity to work together as a collective, as one community …... More

  

  Elliott Robinson
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  03.09.19 Affordable Living

  City budget and UVa survey of community needs updates

  On WTJU’s Soundboard this week, Elliott, Giles, and Emily talk with host Eliza Wilson about how much Charlottesville plans to invest in affordable housing and how to pay for it, the new minimum wage at the University of Virginia,... More

  Written by:

  

  Elliott Robinson, Emily Hays, and Giles Morris

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  03.08.19 Affordable Living 3 MIN READ

  UVa raises hourly minimum wage to $15

  After decades of student and community activism, the University of Virginia has raised its base wage for full-time employees from $12.75 to $15 an hour, starting in January 2020. UVa President Jim Ryan made the... More

  

  Emily Hays
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  03.07.19 Budget 11 MIN READ

  City, School Board budgets presented to City Council

  While the Virginia Cavaliers closed out its penultimate game before March Madness, the tipoff of an intensive series of public meetings on Charlottesville’s $188.8 million budget began with a presentation at Monday’s City Council meeting. Interim City Manager Mike Murphy... More

  

  Elliott Robinson