UVA construction update: Firms sought to help with transportation planning, Grove Street planning study 

The new Development Code adopted by Charlottesville City Council in December means the city’s Planning Commission will likely have a lot less to do in the future. The code allows for unlimited residential density in some areas where a special use permit or a rezoning would have been required previously. 

But the beginning of the meeting is an opportunity for the various members to update their colleagues on what they are up to. One of them is Michael Joy, the non-voting representative from the University of Virginia’s Office of the Architect. 

“I do not have any specific reports to share today,” Joy said.

Those nine words don’t necessarily mean that nothing is happening at the University of Virginia in terms of land use and construction. But they prompted me to go through the resources I review to see what is going on in order to inform the community.

The following are some updated from UVA that may be relevant to anyone following land use in the city.  UVA’s communications staff did not respond to a request for comment and clarification.

Transportation planning

On March 25, 2024, the UVA Facilities Management Office issued a request for letters and statements of qualifications for transportation planning and engineering services. (download the request)

“The consultant shall provide timely transportation planning, engineering, and demand management services as may be required by the University,” reads the section on General Scope of Services. 

UVA is in the midst of a major construction campaign that will have a dramatic impact on the City of Charlottesville. For instance, the $350 million Paul and Dianne Manning Institute of Biotechnology will be a structure that is much larger than other buildings at the Fontaine Research Park on the city’s western border. 

At the same time, there are several buildings under construction in the Emmet-Ivy corridor that until recently had been on land occupied by private businesses with some residential apartments. These include the School of Data Science and the Karsh Institute of Democracy. 

At some point, UVA will also update the Parking and Transportation Master Plan that was created in July 2019. (read that plan)

Grove Street “Owner’s Representative”

On April 1, 2024, the UVA Facilities Management Office advertised a request for qualifications for firms interested in serving as the “Owner’s Representative” to implement whatever comes out of the planning study for the Grove Street Corridor. 

“UVA owns seven parcels along Grove Street, adjacent to the Cherry Avenue Entrance Corridor – the 999 – 1001 parcel (referred to as Site A) and the adjacent 6 parcels of the 900 block of Grove and King (referred to as Site B,” reads the request. (read the request)

The UVA Rector and Board of Visitors purchased the land director for $8.73 million in August 2016, skipping the step where the University of Virginia Foundation purchases the land first. 

Both this request and a previous one issued last fall for the planning study divides the land into two sites, both of which are designated as Redevelopment Zones in the 2023 Grounds Framework plan. (Grounds Framework Plan points way to future of UVA’s built environment, June 18, 2023)

An “owner’s representative” is a firm that takes on the management of a project on behalf of the property owner. The April 1 letter states that whoever is selected must be willing to engage the public as part of the planning study.

“Since these sites are on the southern edge of Grounds, an important aspect of this planning study will be neighborhood engagement with the Fifeville community early in the process of developing the study,” the request continues. “Another important aspect will be the consideration of program options for the site(s) and are likely to include neighborhood clinics and procedure areas, community uses, and parking in a mixed-use format, although other options will be considered.”

The planning study is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

Construction impact update

The University of Virginia Facilities Management Office periodically updates a Conditions and Impacts Overview with status reports on major construction. Here are some that affect Charlottesville’s public realm:

• UVA is making upgrades to Ruppel Drive at Shumway Hall to increase compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. UVA and the City of Charlottesville have coordinated on periodic traffic controls related to construction traffic as well as major events. This is related to the expansion of the Commerce Complex in the southeast corner of the UVA Lawn. The project website states “this gateway to Grounds will welcome thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors every day and provide a symbolic and important link between the City of Charlottesville and the University.” (learn more on the project website)
• An employee gym is being built at the Battle Building on West Main Street in a retail space which will create “noise and dust.” 
• While no longer a city street, the western lane of Brandon Avenue is closed for construction. The east lane is being used for two-way traffic. This is related to the building of Gaston House and Ramazani House. The two wings will house up 238 students who are not first years. (learn more on the project website)
• A new pedestrian bridge that will span Emmet Street between Newcomb Hall and the new Contemplative Commons is still under construction. There will be “intermittent partial lane closures” while the bridge is painted and guardrails are installed, but two-way traffic will be maintained. 
• Construction of a new endzone scoreboard for Scott Stadium will close Alderman Road and the eastern sidewalk during the weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This won’t apply during move out weekend or graduation or the spring football game planned for April 20, 2024. As I reported in early March, the $13 million scoreboard will be named for Ramon W. Breeder Jr., a major donor. 
• The second phase of the Emmet-Ivy Corridor project is underway requiring sidewalk closures on the north side of Ivy Road between Copeley Road and Rothery Road. Foot traffic is being diverted to the southern side of Ivy Road, which remains a public street. The School of Data Science achieved “substantial completion” in March. 
• There are various sidewalk closures in the area around the new Football Operations Center and the Olympics Sports Center. This area will also be named for Breeden. 
• Blasting is scheduled for May 20 at the site of the Manning Institute of Biotechnology. Traffic on Natural Resources Drive will also be impacted by construction of a retaining wall. Utilities around the area are also being relocated. Site work is also underway for the new parking garage being built there. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the April 10, 2024 edition of the newsletter. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.