In just over a week, the City of Charlottesville plans to move people from encampments along the Rivanna River with residents being offered a place to stay at a low-barrier shelter at 2000 Holiday Drive.
City Council agreed last October to use $6.2 million from the city’s surplus fund to purchase the site and agreed earlier this month to use another $4 million from the fund to hire Central Arizona Shelter Services and others “for homeless intervention services to include emergency sheltering and direct to housing supports.”
Charlottesville’s representative in the United States House of Representatives sent a letter to City Manager Sam Sanders on August 20 asking to delay opening the shelter citing concerns of local business-owners.
“While it would be unfair to assume that every shelter resident will engage in criminal or disruptive behavior, the City should not dismiss legitimate concerns about the potential for theft, trespassing, harassment, disorderly conduct, or other public-safety issues,” McGuire wrote.
The letter also notes that the emergency shelter will initially begin with restrooms and showers in trailers outside the building. Holiday Drive is a cul-de-sac lined with hotels and restaurants with the city-owned building at the end.
“Guests and customers should not be exposed to outdoor bathroom use or public changing,” McGuire continued.
McGuire called on the shelter opening to be delayed until after a comprehensive safety plan is created and the city picks up the tab for additional security patrols. The letter suggests no alternatives but McGuire’s official Facebook page had this further information.
“Compassion does not mean turning a blind eye to public safety or the concerns of local businesses,” McGuire said. “The city has a responsibility to protect taxpayers, families, and property owners, not force businesses to pay for private security because of failure to plan properly. I am confident the city can find a solution that priorities the safety of all citizens.”
In a promotional video produced by Charlottesville’s Communications and Public Engagement department, Charlottesville City Manager said on August 24 that there will be no delaying the opening of an emergency shelter at 2000 Holiday Drive.
In the video, Director Afton Schneider indirectly refers to a letter U.S. Representative John McGuire (R-5) sent to Sander seeking a pause while a safety plan is developed. An image of the letter is briefly posted on the screen.
“We were made aware of a letter yesterday that’s floating around social media,” Schneider said. “What do you have to say about that?”
“I can basically respond to what I understand the contents of it being about delaying this facility,” Sanders said. “We’re not doing that. It is important for us to continue the priority that we have to serve our unhoused individuals.”
Sanders said a safety plan is in place for when Central Arizona Shelter Services begins operating the site on behalf of the city. The exact amount they are being paid has not yet been disclosed but City Council agreed on August 3 to spend up to $4 million for assistance in removing people at the encampments along the Rivanna River with 2000 Holiday Drive being one option for a place for them to go. The deadline is around September 1.
“So we don’t have any concerns regarding public safety when it comes to 2000 Holiday Drive?” Schneider asked.
“Not at all,” Sanders responded. “I mean, I think we have actually focused on this facility way more than we have any other facility in town. We are looking forward to the facility finally becoming open and available to the public.”
Sanders also said furniture has begun to arrive at the site.
“We have beds and mattresses coming,” Sanders said. “We have tables and chairs that are needing to be put together and put in place.”
Follow-up questions are being asked and answers will be included in a future edition of the newsletter and this website.
Before you go: The goal of Town Crier Productions is to increase awareness about what is happening at the local, regional, state, and federal government levels. Please share the work with others if you want people to know things. Paid subscribers cover the cost of conducting research for this article which was originally published in both the August 24, 2026 and August 25, 2026 editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement. You can either subscribe through Substack or make a charitable contribution.
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