Southwood sewer project subject of several public notices

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville purchased the Southwood Mobile Home in October 2007 for $7 million with the purpose of redeveloping the land without displacing residents.

Construction of the first phase began in October 2020 and 335 of 450 approved homes have been constructed as of April 1, 2026 according to the county’s Development Dashboard.

Up to a thousand homes are allowed under the second phase and preparation is underway as can be glimpsed through several recent public notices in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

For instance, one combined notice from Albemarle County in the August 8 edition satisfies requirements from the federal government related to the construction of a new sewer system to replace a failing one that serves several dozen existing homes in a section of Southwood that won’t be redeveloped for some years.

In February, Albemarle County announced a $2 million Community Development Block Grant to help cover some of the costs of the $3.735 million project. According to the notice, the county will formally ask the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to release the funds.

“This project will involve the replacement of failing septic systems serving the existing mobile homes with new sewer infrastructure, which will serve a total of 63 current Southwood resident households with incomes no greater than 80 percent area median income,” reads the notice. “The newly installed infrastructure will be adopted into the public sewer system managed by the Albemarle County Service Authority.”

Albemarle also conducted an “Environmental Review Record” required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and came up with the determination of “Finding of No Significant Impact.” That means no further environmental review is needed. Copies of the document are available in the Office of the Housing at 1600 5th Street Extended and can be reviewed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You might also get a copy by emailing someone who name address is listed in the notice. Take a look here.

Public comments are being taken through August 24 on the FONSI. The notice also states that any legal action will be under federal jurisdiction.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development “will consider objections to its release of funds” through September 7, 2026 but the scope is limited to four topics as you can see in the notice.

The use of CDBG funds means that there must be a notice of the kinds of jobs that might be done.

• Landscaping
• Installation of water line and laterals
• Installation of sewer line and laterals
• Installation of stormwater management systems

“In carrying out this project the County of Albemarle, its contractors and subcontractors will, to the greatest extent feasible, utilize qualified persons who permanently reside within Albemarle County for employment and training positions,” reads that notice. (August 8, 2026, Charlottesville Daily Progress)

A second notice is required to spread awareness to minority or female owned businesses so they may be considered.

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