Charlottesville planning to clean up Rivanna River trail encampment next week

The City of Charlottesville has hired a firm to clean up a portion of the Rivanna Trail where several people are camping out with work scheduled to begin start on March 24.

“The effort is part of the City’s ongoing work to address public safety, environmental protection, and community health concerns in areas where individuals are currently living outdoors,” reads an information release sent out by the city on March 11.

The firm Signature Property Maintenance LLC of Palmyra has been hired to conduct the work which will include removal of trash and debris. The $2,400 cost will come out of funding Charlottesville has received through various settlements related to over prescription of opioid-based pharmaceuticals.

The intent is not to remove people who are living around the area of the Free Bridge. Instead, the city will install portable restrooms and install secure places where needles can be thrown away without entering the Rivanna River.

Staff will also reach out to people living along the trail to encourage them to take precautions to keep the area safe.

“Outreach efforts will include distributing informational materials and providing fire safety guidance related to heaters, open flames, and carbon monoxide risks, as well as information about available community services,” the release continues.

There will be regular clean-up times going forward.

The release notes that the city is continuing to identify a partner to run a low-barrier shelter at an office building the city paid $6.2 purchased for 2000 Holiday Drive in a deal that closed on January 20.

City Manager Sam Sanders took a moment at the March 16 City Council meeting to explain what will be happening. 

“This effort is focused on public safety,” Sanders said. “There are a number of people who have congregated in the area which has led to some safety risks, some cleaning, some water quality concerns.” 

There are also concerns about fires. 

Sanders said his assistant, Steve King, is working with local service providers to reach out to the people living in the camp. 

“We have some fact sheets and information that we’re sharing with individuals that we come into contact with, and we are coordinating again with the unhoused providers to have a part of this effort,” Sanders said.

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