Council OKs adding SIA to Comprehensive Plan

City of Charlottesville

“The Charlottesville City Council approved a resolution Monday night to add the Strategic Investment Area to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a move city officials hope will sharpen the idea’s focus. The council approved the resolution 4-1, with Councilor Bob Fenwick being the only no vote. Councilors added language to the resolution to ensure that the move would not keep the city from changing parts of the investment area in the future.

The 330-acre Strategic Investment Area is expected to add 1,300 homes, attract $300 million in investment and bring in $3 million in tax revenue to the city, officials said. The area’s borders are Avon Street, Elliott Avenue, Ridge Street and the railroad tracks north of Garrett Street, said Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services.

The Strategic Investment Area plan includes redeveloping public and low-income housing developments on Sixth Street at Friendship Court and Crescent Hall. City officials have pledged one-to-one replacement of public and low-income housing units in the area.”

~Writes Aaron Richardson of the Daily Progress

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Council to weigh putting Strategic Investment Area into Comprehensive Plan

City of Charlottesville

“Adding a 330-acre redevelopment initiative to Charlottesville’s Comprehensive Plan could sharpen the idea’s focus, but it also could carry a cost, officials said. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the move Monday night. Covering what’s known as the Strategic Investment Area, the redevelopment plan could add 1,300 homes, attract $300 million in downtown investment and generate $3 million in tax money, officials said.

The investment area stretches along Avon Street from the Ix property to the old Martha Jefferson Hospital between Avon and Ridge-McIntire. Including the initiative in the Comprehensive Plan would not cost the city money immediately, said Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services. Instead, it would allow the city to focus on the area’s design and purpose.”

~Writes Aaron Richardson of The Daily Progress

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Bold Redevelopment Plan Features Greenway in Downtown Charlottesville

City of Charlottesville

“Charlottesville now has a bold new plan for the redevelopment of 330 acres around the Ix warehouse complex, Friendship Court and several public-housing sites. Consultants from Cunningham Quill Architects made their final presentation to the City Council and the Planning Commission before an audience of about 30 people at CitySpace last week.

Councilor Kathy Galvin said the city’s first Strategic Investment Area plan would address issues that include economics, transportation, public health, affordable housing and jobs.”

~Writes Brian Wheeler of Charlottesville Tomorrow

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