After nearly five years of continuous effort by Market Plaza LLC to build and launch the West2nd project in Downtown Charlottesville, Keith O. Woodard of Woodard Properties has made the hard decision to immediately end the development.
“I hope that someone else can move this project forward. In early 2014 when we responded to the City RFP to develop this project, it was a different City Council and different circumstances. The last straw for us was yet another unexpected delay by the City Board of Architectural Review (BAR) on August 21st” said Keith Woodard.
The Charlottesville community, including the City Market, neighbors, businesses, members of the City Council, and many Charlottesville City staff have put a great deal of time, energy and emotion into West2nd. In early 2014, the City encouraged investment in the downtown area with an RFP selection process to create a mixed-use development and a permanent home for the City Market with improved facilities, restrooms, and utility connections on a level plaza. New residential, retail, and office spaces would have added vitality to Downtown Charlottesville, increased the overall housing supply at all levels, and generated substantial tax revenues for the City. The project was a tremendous undertaking, and over time the process of obtaining the necessary approvals became very difficult and at times adversarial, causing continual delays and uncertainty.
West 2nd has received strong support from the community, and most reluctantly will be cancelling the many condominium contracts and reservations it has received. This is a very difficult choice, but the team at Woodard Properties has with great regret decided they must focus their efforts on other opportunities. Keith O. Woodard, says “we have tried to make a new home for the City Market, for businesses wanting to locate downtown and for people who wanted to live close to the Downtown Mall. I am disappointed that this project will not become a reality. We appreciate those who have been supportive along the way.”
West 2nd Development Brought to an End
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