West Main Streetscape: Difference between revisions

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| contact =[[Alexander Ikefuna]], Director, Neighborhood Development Services, Charlottesville
| contact =Neighborhood Development Services, Charlottesville
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The '''West Main Streetscape''' is a multi-year plan intended to make [[West Main Street]] more welcoming to pedestrians and safer for bicycles. <ref name="split">{{cite web|title=Council breaks West Main Street plans into multiple phases|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/28854-west-main-street-update/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 17, 2017|accessdate=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The City of Charlottesville has pursued multiple revenue sources for the project, which now has a cost estimate of over $35 million.
The '''West Main Streetscape''' is a multi-year plan intended to make [[West Main Street]] more welcoming to pedestrians and safer for bicycles. <ref name="split">{{cite web|title=Council breaks West Main Street plans into multiple phases|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/28854-west-main-street-update/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 17, 2017|accessdate=November 25, 2017}}</ref> The City of Charlottesville has pursued multiple revenue sources for the project, which now ballooned from its original estimate of around $30M in 2018 to likely over $50M as of November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://communityengagement.substack.com/p/council-to-discuss-future-of-49-million|title=Council to discuss future of $49 million West Main Streetscape|last=Tubbs|first=Sean|publishdate=|publisher=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|accessdate=}}</ref>


The second phase is now a distinct [[West Main St. Phase II - 6th St NW To 8th St. NW|Smart Scale project]].  
The second phase is now a distinct [[West Main St. Phase II - 6th St NW To 8th St. NW|Smart Scale project]].  


On [[November 15]], [[2019]], [[Charlottesville]] [[City Council]] directs staff to prepare plan to remove [[Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark Statue]]. At this work session it was also stated that the first phase would get under construction in 2021. <ref name="removal">{{cite-progress|title=City Council votes to remove Lewis-Clark-Sacagawea statue|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-council-votes-to-remove-lewis-clark-sacagawea-statue/article_50f35095-a8c9-55b9-98f3-fc6a92c535f6.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=A1|printdate=November 16, 2019|publishdate=November 15, 2019|accessdate=November 17, 2019}}</ref>  
On [[November 15]], [[2019]], [[Charlottesville]] [[City Council]] directed staff to prepare plan to permanently remove the [[Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark Statue]] as part of the first phase of construction in 2021. <ref name="removal">{{cite-progress|title=City Council votes to remove Lewis-Clark-Sacagawea statue|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-council-votes-to-remove-lewis-clark-sacagawea-statue/article_50f35095-a8c9-55b9-98f3-fc6a92c535f6.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=A1|printdate=November 16, 2019|publishdate=November 15, 2019|accessdate=November 17, 2019}}</ref>  


{{current}}
{{current}}
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==Plan development==
==Plan development==
The city has paid nearly $2 million over multiple years to the firm [[Rhodeside & Harwell]] to create the plan. Their work continues at a time when West Main is experiencing rapid transformation. Council approved a concept in March 2016 after much study. <ref name="concept-approved">{{cite web|title=Council chooses path for West Main streetscape, partially approves rezoning|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/23310-west-main-streetscape-approval/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=March 22, 2016|accessdate=December 31, 2016}}</ref> they also readjusted the zoning on the street.  
The city has paid nearly $2 million over multiple years to the firm [[Rhodeside & Harwell]] to create the plan. Their work continues at a time when West Main is experiencing rapid transformation. Council approved a concept in March 2016 after much study. <ref name="concept-approved">{{cite web|title=Council chooses path for West Main streetscape, partially approves rezoning|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/23310-west-main-streetscape-approval/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=March 22, 2016|accessdate=December 31, 2016}}</ref> they also readjusted the zoning on the street.  
The firm is currently working on a schematic drawings to inform the final construction documents. Those will not be ready until the spring of 2018. <ref name="schematics">{{cite web|title=Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25212-west-main-schematics/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 10, 2016|accessdate=October 17, 2016}}</ref>


In October 2017, City Council agreed to split the project into phases and to pursue [[VDOT Revenue Sharing]] to help cover the $31 million cost. The city has allocated $10 million from its Capital Improvement Program for the project. <ref name="split" />
In October 2017, City Council agreed to split the project into phases and to pursue [[VDOT Revenue Sharing]] to help cover the $31 million cost. The city has allocated $10 million from its Capital Improvement Program for the project. <ref name="split" />
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As the study continued throughout the summer of 2014, representatives of churches such as [[First Baptist Church]] wanted their need for on-street parking to be considered. <ref name="parking" /> The process was slightly slowed down to make sure all stakeholders were heard.
As the study continued throughout the summer of 2014, representatives of churches such as [[First Baptist Church]] wanted their need for on-street parking to be considered. <ref name="parking" /> The process was slightly slowed down to make sure all stakeholders were heard.


The plan did not have the support of a majority of City Council as was revealed when Mayor [[Satyendra Huja]] revealed in January 2015 that he felt it was incoherent. <ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19990-west-main-critique/|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19990-west-main-critique/|author=|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 21, 2015|accessdate=December 20, 2015}}</ref>
The plan did not have the support of a majority of City Council as was revealed when Mayor [[Satyendra Huja]] stated in January 2015 that he felt the plan was incoherent. <ref>{{cite web|title=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19990-west-main-critique/|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19990-west-main-critique/|author=|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 21, 2015|accessdate=December 20, 2015}}</ref>


Council approved the plan in March 2016. The Board of Architectural Review was briefed on progress towards the schematic drawings on October 10, 2016. <ref name="schematics" />
Council approved the plan in March 2016. The Board of Architectural Review was briefed on progress towards the schematic drawings on October 10, 2016. <ref name="schematics">{{cite web|title=Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25212-west-main-schematics/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 10, 2016|accessdate=October 17, 2016}}</ref>


The preliminary cost estimate to implement the streetscape has been consistent around $30 million, though that number could change as the construction documents are finalized.
The preliminary cost estimate to implement the streetscape was originally around $30 million, but has since increased to at least $49 million as of November 2020 (the cost for some line items in the preliminary budget have not been assigned).


Council has set aside $10 million for the project in the five-year capital improvement project and applied for $18.3 million in funding through the second round of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Smart Scale process. <ref>{{cite web|title=MPO signs off on area transportation funding requests|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25108-mpo-signs-off-on-area-transportation-requests/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=September 28, 2016|accessdate=October 17, 2016}}</ref> They were unsuccessful. <ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle projects score well in initial steps of VDOT funding process|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/26074-smart-scale-round-two-scores/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 17, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
Council has set aside $10 million for the project in the five-year capital improvement project and unsuccessfully applied for $18.3 million in funding through the second round of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Smart Scale process. <ref>{{cite web|title=MPO signs off on area transportation funding requests|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25108-mpo-signs-off-on-area-transportation-requests/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=September 28, 2016|accessdate=October 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Albemarle projects score well in initial steps of VDOT funding process|url=http://cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/26074-smart-scale-round-two-scores/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 17, 2017|accessdate=December 15, 2017}}</ref>


==Zoning==
==Zoning==
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==Timeline==
==Timeline==
*[[October 17]], [[2013]] &ndash; [[Rhodeside and Harwell]] begin work on study <ref>{{cite web|title=West Main study begins with tour of changing corridor|url=https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/west-main-study|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 17, 2013|accessdate=September 29, 2020}}</ref>
*[[October 17]], [[2013]] &ndash; [[Rhodeside and Harwell]] begin work on study <ref>{{cite web|title=West Main study begins with tour of changing corridor|url=https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/west-main-study|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 17, 2013|accessdate=September 29, 2020}}</ref>
*January 14, 2016: Steering committee shown three concepts being considered <ref>{{cite web|title=West Main group reviews three concepts for streetscape|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/22804-three-west-main-concepts/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 14, 2016|accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref>
*January 14, 2016 Steering committee shown three concepts being considered <ref>{{cite web|title=West Main group reviews three concepts for streetscape|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/22804-three-west-main-concepts/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 14, 2016|accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref>
*February 9, 2016: City Planning Commission passes zoning changes for third time <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville panel recommends West Main rezoning for third time|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/22993-west-main-rezoning/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 9, 2016|accessdate=December 29, 2016}}</ref>
*February 9, 2016 City Planning Commission passes zoning changes for third time <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville panel recommends West Main rezoning for third time|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/22993-west-main-rezoning/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 9, 2016|accessdate=December 29, 2016}}</ref>
*March 7, 2016: Council holds first reading on eliminating special use permits for additional height <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville City Council close to making West Main height change|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/23211-west-main-rezoning/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=March 8, 2016|accessdate=December 31, 2016}}</ref>
*March 7, 2016 Council holds first reading on eliminating special use permits for additional height <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville City Council close to making West Main height change|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/23211-west-main-rezoning/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=March 8, 2016|accessdate=December 31, 2016}}</ref>
 
{{coord|38.031648|N|78.490813|W|display=title}}
{{coord|38.031648|N|78.490813|W|display=title}}
*March 21, 2016: Council approves streetscape, partially approves zoning changes by eliminating special use permits for height increase. Planning Commission directed to study permits for additional density <ref name="concept-approved" />  
 
*October 10, 2016: Board of Architectural Review gets sneak preview of schematics <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25212-west-main-schematics/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 10, 2016|accessdate=January 11, 2017}}</ref>
*March 21, 2016 Council approves streetscape, partially approves zoning changes by eliminating special use permits for height increase. Planning Commission directed to study permits for additional density <ref name="concept-approved" />  
*May 15, 2017: Council appproves preliminary design schematics for the project <ref>{{cite web|title=Council approves schematic design for West Main|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/27235-council-approves-schematic-design-for-west-main/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=May 16, 2017|accessdate=December 29, 2017}}</ref>
*October 10, 2016 Board of Architectural Review gets sneak preview of schematics <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/25212-west-main-schematics/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=October 10, 2016|accessdate=January 11, 2017}}</ref>
*October 16, 2017: Council agrees to split project into phases in order to apply for revenue-sharing funds from VDOT <ref name="split" />
*May 15, 2017 Council appproves preliminary design schematics for the project <ref>{{cite web|title=Council approves schematic design for West Main|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/27235-council-approves-schematic-design-for-west-main/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=May 16, 2017|accessdate=December 29, 2017}}</ref>
*[[April 11]], [[2018]] BAR presentation [http://gowestmain.com/pdf/BAR_Presentation_0411_2018.pdf (materials)]
*October 16, 2017 Council agrees to split project into phases in order to apply for revenue-sharing funds from VDOT <ref name="split" />
*[[April 11]], [[2018]] BAR presentation [http://gowestmain.com/pdf/BAR_Presentation_0411_2018.pdf (materials)]


==Existing conditions==
==Existing conditions==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://gowestmain.com/ Go West Main site]
*[http://gowestmain.com/ Go West Main site]


[[Category: West Main Street]]
[[Category: West Main Street]]

Revision as of 22:25, 21 November 2020


West Main Streetscape

Planned

Project Overview

1. Preserve and enhance urban qualities
2. Improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation
Cost $49 million
Location Charlottesville
Sponsor Charlottesville, University of Virginia
Next meeting TBA

Status Update

Project to improve streetscape on West Main Street from JPA to Ridge/McIntire. It will include wider sidewalks, street trees, lighting and undergrounding of utilities. Funded portions will include $750,000 to match University of Virginia for portion from JPA to Roosevelt Brown Boulevard, and $300,000 to match developer for portion from Ridge to 4th Street. Kimley-Horn designing portion from JPA to Roosevelt Brown Boulevard.

Contact Neighborhood Development Services, Charlottesville

The West Main Streetscape is a multi-year plan intended to make West Main Street more welcoming to pedestrians and safer for bicycles. [1] The City of Charlottesville has pursued multiple revenue sources for the project, which now ballooned from its original estimate of around $30M in 2018 to likely over $50M as of November 2020.[2]

The second phase is now a distinct Smart Scale project.

On November 15, 2019, Charlottesville City Council directed staff to prepare plan to permanently remove the Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark Statue as part of the first phase of construction in 2021. [3]


Ambox notice.png This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

Plan development

The city has paid nearly $2 million over multiple years to the firm Rhodeside & Harwell to create the plan. Their work continues at a time when West Main is experiencing rapid transformation. Council approved a concept in March 2016 after much study. [4] they also readjusted the zoning on the street.

In October 2017, City Council agreed to split the project into phases and to pursue VDOT Revenue Sharing to help cover the $31 million cost. The city has allocated $10 million from its Capital Improvement Program for the project. [1]


History of the plan

The slip lane for right-bound turns onto Ridge Street would be removed under the plan

In November 2012, the PLACE Design Task Force was asked to weigh in on the project given that construction of the Marriott Residence Inn at 301 West Main was expected to begin in 2013, and that other student housing complexes were planned including the Flats at West Village. [5]

At a meeting in February 2013, Council agreed to spend up to $350,000 on the study. [6]

As the study continued throughout the summer of 2014, representatives of churches such as First Baptist Church wanted their need for on-street parking to be considered. [7] The process was slightly slowed down to make sure all stakeholders were heard.

The plan did not have the support of a majority of City Council as was revealed when Mayor Satyendra Huja stated in January 2015 that he felt the plan was incoherent. [8]

Council approved the plan in March 2016. The Board of Architectural Review was briefed on progress towards the schematic drawings on October 10, 2016. [9]

The preliminary cost estimate to implement the streetscape was originally around $30 million, but has since increased to at least $49 million as of November 2020 (the cost for some line items in the preliminary budget have not been assigned).

Council has set aside $10 million for the project in the five-year capital improvement project and unsuccessfully applied for $18.3 million in funding through the second round of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Smart Scale process. [10][11]

Zoning

A subset of the study was to look at the zoning of the street. The recommendation was made to convert the street's two zoning into western and eastern districts as opposed to south and north districts enacted during the 2003 rezoning.

Timeline

  • October 17, 2013Rhodeside and Harwell begin work on study [12]
  • January 14, 2016 – Steering committee shown three concepts being considered [13]
  • February 9, 2016 – City Planning Commission passes zoning changes for third time [14]
  • March 7, 2016 – Council holds first reading on eliminating special use permits for additional height [15]

Coordinates:Erioll world.svg.png 38°01′54″N 78°29′27″W / 38.031648°N 78.490813°W / 38.031648; -78.490813

  • March 21, 2016 – Council approves streetscape, partially approves zoning changes by eliminating special use permits for height increase. Planning Commission directed to study permits for additional density [4]
  • October 10, 2016 – Board of Architectural Review gets sneak preview of schematics [16]
  • May 15, 2017 – Council appproves preliminary design schematics for the project [17]
  • October 16, 2017 – Council agrees to split project into phases in order to apply for revenue-sharing funds from VDOT [1]
  • April 11, 2018 – BAR presentation (materials)

Existing conditions

On-street parking

There are approximately 90 on-street parking spaces on the road between JPA and Ridge-McIntire. [7] Dena Rhodeside identified the potential for as many as 4,000 new and existing parking spaces within 600 feet of West Main.


Photo gallery


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Web. Council breaks West Main Street plans into multiple phases, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 17, 2017, retrieved November 25, 2017.
  2. Web. Council to discuss future of $49 million West Main Streetscape
  3. Web. City Council votes to remove Lewis-Clark-Sacagawea statue, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 15, 2019, retrieved November 17, 2019. Print. November 16, 2019 page A1.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Web. Council chooses path for West Main streetscape, partially approves rezoning, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 22, 2016, retrieved December 31, 2016.
  5. Web. PLACE task force considers West Main and Belmont Bridge, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, November 9, 2012, retrieved November 12, 2012.
  6. Web. City to jumpstart West Main improvements, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 24, 2013, retrieved October 27, 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Web. West Main church, businesses want their needs considered in study, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 6, 2014, retrieved October 27, 2014.
  8. Web. http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/19990-west-main-critique/, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 21, 2015, retrieved December 20, 2015.
  9. Web. Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 10, 2016, retrieved October 17, 2016.
  10. Web. MPO signs off on area transportation funding requests, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, September 28, 2016, retrieved October 17, 2016.
  11. Web. Albemarle projects score well in initial steps of VDOT funding process, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 17, 2017, retrieved December 15, 2017.
  12. Web. West Main study begins with tour of changing corridor, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 17, 2013, retrieved September 29, 2020.
  13. Web. West Main group reviews three concepts for streetscape, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 14, 2016, retrieved December 27, 2016.
  14. Web. Charlottesville panel recommends West Main rezoning for third time, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 9, 2016, retrieved December 29, 2016.
  15. Web. Charlottesville City Council close to making West Main height change, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 8, 2016, retrieved December 31, 2016.
  16. Web. Charlottesville architecture panel gets peek at West Main schematics, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, October 10, 2016, retrieved January 11, 2017.
  17. Web. Council approves schematic design for West Main, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 16, 2017, retrieved December 29, 2017.

External links