Procurement update: Charlottesville hires three firms to manage right of way negotiations

For the most part, Charlottesville manages its own transportation projects and has done so since the mid-2000’s.

“Typical projects administered by the City include right of way acquisition for the construction of sidewalks, trails, turn lanes, shoulders, additional travel lanes, adjustments to traffic signals, realignment of curves, drainage improvements, new roadway alignments and utility improvements,” reads a request for proposals for engineering services that went out in 2024.

On June 20, the city awarded contracts to three firms to assist with acquiring right of way for transportation projects. They are:

• ERM & Associates of Warrenton
• KDR Real Estate Services of Richmond
• Timmons Group of Richmond

On June 10, the city opened bids on a proposal to produce pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Monticello and 2nd Street north of the Ix Art Park. The sole bid from Curtis Contracting was $1,534,131.32 and that is over the project budget.

Other recent awards include:

• On June 12, the city awarded a contract to Winsuply of Charlottesville to install a leak detection system for City Hall. The winning vendor supplied the only proposal at a cost of $21,563.12. (learn more)
• On June 18, the city awarded a contract to CentiMark / Questmark Flooring to provide floors at offices at Charlottesville High School. They submitted the lowest bid of $47,085. Three other vendors also responded with the highest at $129,887.58. (learn more)

There are currently four open bids:

• The city seeks firms to provide landscaping at the nearly six acre Charlottesville Area Transit headquarters on Avon Street Extended. Bids are due on July 2, 2025. A previous request resulted in one solicitation but the vendor did not include information about how a living wage would be provided. (learn more)
• The city seeks firms to provide fire hydrants and other related products. These are due on July 8, 2025. (learn more)
• There’s also a request for proposals for a firm to provide exterior maintenance on the McIntire Historical Building to fix many issues. These are due on July 11, 2025. (learn more)
• There’s also a request for firms to replace an irrigation system at the McIntire Golf Course. These are due on July 18, 2025. (learn more)

Top photo: The details of the work being sought at the McIntire building (Credit: City of Charlottesville)

Before you go: This story was first published in the June 26, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and then published here two days later. This is definitely the sort of story I can imagine other reporters would say is boring. I’d argue this is the kind of story that helps reporters assemble a bigger picture.