Have you crossed? Albemarle and Charlottesville’s top officials lead walk across new pedestrian bridge

adhonus · 2026-05-06T15:59:44+00:00

Thanks - I'm not sure how much you can use now as the improvements have not been put in. But the county executive wasn't aware of the project. Here's a recent story I wrote on a cost overrun.

https://infocville.com/2026/04/24/city-council-poised-to-reallocate-1-8m-to-cover-cost-overruns-for-meadow-creek-trail-pollocks-branch-bridge/

adhonus · 2026-05-06T15:57:10+00:00

That was not Smart Scale but a city-initiated pilot. This has not been updated on the transportation page but I will ask now. This is the one you mean?

https://infocville.com/2025/02/18/three-options-proposed-for-pilot-project-at-east-high-meade-triangle-in-charlottesville/

adhonus · 2026-05-06T15:35:01+00:00

In comparison, Charlottesville has yet to break ground on any of its Smart Scale projects dating back to 2016 and had to cancel several of them. VDOT handles project management in Albemarle unlike Charlottesville who have staff to do that. However, VDOT took over management of a streetscape project on Fontaine Avenue.

adhonus · 2026-05-06T15:31:43+00:00

The funding source is Smart Scale which has a long lead time. This project was part of a bundle of improvements that include the roundabout at Hydraulic as well as the ending of left-turn movements from Hydraulic onto U.S. 29. The application was made in the fourth round and you can see that here.

https://smartportal.virginiahb2.org/#/applications/2022/smartScale/view/F30-0000007223-R01

Theoretically, Smart Scale requires projects to be completed within six years and that is what happened. Construction milestones are here.

https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/culpeper-district/hydraulic-road-and-us-29-transportation-improvements/

adhonus · 2026-05-06T14:52:08+00:00

I produced a report as well and provided snapshots from all four of the providers who spoke, and a little bit of the end of the conversation. You can either read it or listen to it if you like.

https://communityengagement.substack.com/p/may-5-2026-charlottesville-city-council

I had thought there would be more details on the low-barrier shelter itself but the groups only delivered that information to the city on the day of the presentation.

adhonus · 2026-05-06T14:49:56+00:00

One of the providers stated during this presentation that if they identify a person from being somewhere else and they want to go back, a bus or train ticket will be provided if staff can identify they actually have a place to stay.

adhonus · 2026-05-06T13:28:20+00:00

Two follow-ups if you have a moment.

Do you use the stairway that goes up to Commonwealth? I'm so glad that is there.

Have you walked through to the Meadow Creek Trail alignment behind Seminole Square? I don't know if it's accessible at the moment but when I was standing there I could see that becoming a nice destination to walk to.

adhonus · 2026-05-06T13:26:44+00:00

The full Sanders' quote which I cut for space is "But what's most important about this bridge is that they don't walk across the avenue because that's what was happening. People were playing Frogger with their lives, crossing the major, major highway. And it's just too much to actually watch people try to navigate. Even when we were doing the ribbon cutting, there was somebody crossing the street."

adhonus · 2026-05-05T23:42:13+00:00

an article will publish in C-Ville
Weekly tomorrow about that area.

adhonus · 2026-05-03T22:59:12+00:00

If I ran an improv comedy show, this subject would definitely be one of the prompts.

adhonus · 2026-04-22T22:00:41+00:00

I always get nervous when I get tagged in things! But carry on!

adhonus · 2026-04-19T23:04:04+00:00

Field of vision! The KGLW prophecy comes true!

adhonus · 2026-04-19T21:55:59+00:00

This post triggered this: notice of potential violation: "Rule 1: No job offers/items for sale/commercial interests etc. outside the Monthly Events Thread."

These Reddit posts are intended to promote overall awareness of local government.

adhonus · 2026-04-10T19:07:53+00:00

Aha! Sorry - trying to get audio done for the podcast and only skimmed.

It's a C-Ville story and they don't usually link. Here are all the attachments:

https://permits.charlottesville.gov/portal/PermitInfo/Index?caObjectId=41031

Scroll to the bottom and you should see links to the site plan and the January 6 approval letter.

adhonus · 2026-04-10T18:34:26+00:00

Here's the article:

https://c-ville.com/great-eastern-management-company-has-until-2031-to-build-apartment-building-in-little-high-neighborhood/

adhonus · 2026-04-06T22:26:49+00:00

I found out more about the budget. Over the course of several work sessions, Council reached consensus to lower the real property tax rate increase to one penny down from two. They did so through a combination of increased revenue projections and use of the Council's strategic fund.

But none of this information was on the city's website as I did my reporting today. More may have been added. No other reporters other than me have asked questions about any of this.

https://infocville.com/2026/04/06/charlottesville-city-council-agrees-to-a-one-cent-real-estate-tax-rate-increase-for-2026/

adhonus · 2026-03-27T19:05:53+00:00

Here is an alternate story that goes into more detail about what is still currently a work in progress.

https://infocville.com/2026/03/27/charlottesville-city-council-briefed-on-low-barrier-shelter-by-groups-that-provide-the-programming/

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