There’s a lot going on at the University of Virginia, the region’s largest and most influential employer and developer. On February 29, the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Visitors took action on several projects including conceptual approval for a North Grounds Parking Garage.
“In 2019, the Parking and Transportation Study projected a near-term parking shortfall which was deferred due to the pandemic but is now materializing,” said Alice Raucher, the University of Virginia Architect.
A site has been identified at the northwest corner of Massie Road and Copeley Road and will require the demolition of eight buildings in the Copeley Apartments complex which provide housing for graduate students.
“But at the same time, we’re continuing to study providing more student housing on Grounds,” Raucher said.
The committee approved the concept. The garage will support both commuters as well as people attending events at John Paul Jones arena and other nearby venues.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee also approved the schematic design for student housing at Darden after having a preliminary look in December. There will be a total of 218 units and 348 bedrooms built across two buildings. The larger structure will be between the parking garage and the Darden campus and the smaller one will be built to the north of the Abbot Center.
“The architect took your comments from the last meeting, studied the existing Darden building, and lightened up the details of the facade adding a lot of focus around the main entry,” Raucher said.
The project has a construction cost estimate of $165 million.
The committee also agreed to demolish a pedestrian bridge that crosses Emmet Street from the Curry School of Education. Another bridge is under construction that will land at Newcomb Plaza.
“It’s been there since 1970 and now that we have the new bridge associated with Contemplative Commons, the Walker Bridge, we really don’t need this one any longer,” said Colette Sheehy, UVA’s Senior Vice President for Operations and State Government Relations.
The old bridge was built in 1970 and is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new one is.
Several namings were made as well.
- The panel formally approved the naming of the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the Fontaine Research Park.
- The McIntire School of Commerce’s expansion will be known as the Ramon W. Breeden Jr. Commerce Grounds after a man who has recently donated $50 million to UVA. Additionally a roadway owned by Albemarle County that passes the southeast corner of the complex will be called Breeden Way. Additionally, the new video scoreboard at Scott Stadium will be named after Breeden as well as the new athletic grounds where the Football Operations Center and Olympic Sports Center are being built.
- The Japanese Garden at the Darden Arboretum will be named for Charles G. Duffy III.
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