Two UVA projects to go before Virginia review panel

Buildings under the ownership of the state government must get an endorsement from an appointed body in the Virginia Department of General Services.

“The Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) reviews and advises the Governor on the acquisition and design of works of art, buildings and structures on property owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia,” reads a description of the group.

The group next meets on Friday at 10 a.m. in the Patrick Henry Building at 1111 East Broad Street in Richmond. There are two items of interest to the University of Virginia on the consent agenda.

One is final approval of the demolition of the former University Police building on Ivy Road.

“UVA proposes to demolish this building, backfill the slope, and cover the new soil with meadow mix,” reads the agenda. “The agency will also remove several temporary parking spots west of the building and plant that area with meadow mix.”

In June, the University of Virginia’s non-voting representative to the Charlottesville Planning Commission had more information on the project to share with his colleagues.

“That’s that white brick single story building at 2302 Ivy Road,” said Michael Joy, an Associate University Architect. “It’s kind of notoriously served as like the visitor center and the 911 dispatch call center at the same desk. With the [University Police Department]’s recent relocation to Zehmer Hall and the Virginia Guesthouse having a Welcome Center, is sort of not currently occupied, so that will be demolished.”

The second project is the first phase of renovations to an athletic complex in North Grounds called The Park. The Finance Committee of the Board of Visitors took a look in April and learned that the existing facilities have become inadequate.

“We had nearly 2,000 reservations,” said J.J. Davis, UVA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “It has employees, a range of university programs and activities. The facility’s current condition is quite poor. Not only in terms of the structure and use, but also from a safety and security perspective.”

The consent agenda of the AARB has more information about what will be in the first phase of renovations including a 7,200 square foot pre-engineering metal maintenance building.

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