Albemarle seeking firms to prepare Rivanna Futures site

Several days after being awarded $9.7 million in state funding, Albemarle officials have moved swiftly to begin the process of finding a firm to prepare a site for the county’s biggest economic development project.

“The vision for Rivanna Futures is to host America’s next globally competitive innovation and technology hub, driving Intelligence and National Security technology dominance that is transferable to broader markets,” reads the notice of invitations for for firms to prequalify for a future request for bids. The notice was posted on August 11. (learn more)

Earlier this month, the Virginia Partnership for Economic Development announced that Albemarle would receive a grant request from the Virginia Business Ready Sites. The funding will be used to prepare county-owned land for the first phase of the future Intelligence and National Security Innovation Acceleration Campus.

“The scope of the project will include but is not limited to installation of environmental and sediment (E&S) controls, clearing & grubbing, storm water facilities, utilities, temporary roads, and mass grading of at least fifty (50) acres to provide a building pad ready site,” the notice continues.

Firms who want to be hired to do the work have until September 19 to respond. A list of those who qualify will be posted on or around October 8. The full set of plans will be posted in March alongside another request for bids.

Meanwhile in Charlottesville, the city will try once again to find a firm to do some work on Preston Avenue.

Among Smart Scale projects canceled by the City of Charlottesville is one for Preston Avenue’s intersection with 10th Street and Grave Avenue.

Council voted 3-2 in July 2020 to make the application but the project was canceled two years later when city officials realized they did not have the resources to implement the work.

Now the city is seeking bids for a firm to make some changes to the intersection as well the junction of Preston Avenue and Harris Street.

“The 10th and Grady project consists of improvements and additions to the pedestrian signals and ADA curb ramp improvements and additions around the intersection,” reads the project description on the city’s procurement page. “The Preston and Harris intersection consists of pedestrian improvements on all four corners of the intersection.”

A pre-bid conference was held yesterday and bids are due on August 29 and will be opened publicly at 2:15 p.m. This project was previously put out to bid on June 26 but no bids were received.

In other procurement happenings:

• Charlottesville is seeking a firm to purchase and install a prefabricated restroom in Riverview Park. There should be options for water fountain as well as electric timer locks. Plans have been developed by the firm Line and Grade. Bids are due on August 22. (learn more)
• Charlottesville also republished a request for quotations for a firm to do exterior maintenance to the McIntire Historic Building. Quotations are due on August 18. (learn more)
• The City of Charlottesville has about 450 retirees collecting a pension and receiving medical and dental insurance. That’s one of the items to be learned in a request for proposals for a firm to provide benefits consulting services. There are 1,100 active benefits eligible employees. Bids are due on August 29. (learn more)

Before you go: This story was first sent out in the August 12, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and then posted here a day later. To learn more about Town Crier Productions, visit this page.