Thirty-six years after the debate first began, City Council is preparing to vote on a resolution that would transfer McIntire Park to the Virginia Department of Transportation for construction of a new highway.
"The city has had this project on the books for over 30 years and it has been pushed by numerous councils," City Council member Meredith Richards said.
If Council passes the resolution, VDOT will build a highway, called the Meadowcreek Parkway, through the City to connect Rt. 20 North and downtown Charlottesville.
Council may vote on the resolution as early as January, Richards predicted.
Richards is one of three Council members whose votes are needed to finalize the transfer.
"I think the Meadowcreek will be an excellent route for transit, open up a convenient route for transit and open up downtown," Richards added.
Kevin Lynch, one of two Council members opposed to the Meadowcreek Parkway, said he feels the other members have been lobbied by land developers to pass the resolution.
"This road is not in the best interest of the city and not the best use of $25 million," Lynch said. "This road is being portrayed as something that will help with transportation, but the real objective is to open up land for development and there are at least 3,000 units of housing that will be built" next to it.
Although Council member Blake Caravati admitted he has many friends who are developers, he dismissed the notion that he was voting with their interests in mind.
"I am not voting on their behalf, I am voting because I think it is good for the city," Caravati said. "I think the majority of people in the city and the region feel the road is needed. [It] is needed to handle the transportation system."
Lynch said he questions whether the park's namesake would have wanted the park to be turned into a highway.
"The land came to the city as a gift from Paul McIntire, he gave it to the city to be used in perpetuity as a park; he would not want it to be a roadway," Lynch said.
Richards defended her stance on the issue, recalling the manner in which McIntire originally donated the land.
"When Paul Goodloe McIntire essentially gave ownership of the park to the city, he expressed his wishes that this be a whites-only park," Richards said. "Many years ago the park was integrated because City Council believed it to be in the best interest of the city not to follow his mandate. I believe in this case, when it is in the best interest of the city, to use a portion of the park for a transportation corridor."
Lynch, however, questioned the intentions surrounding the parkway proposal.
"This is more about the development community and what they want than what is good for Charlottesville," Lynch said. "It's the development community that is pushing for this."
Caravati said he believes McIntire would be in favor of the transfer.
"I think he would be pleased that this project will greatly enhance the park, it will make the park accessible and the road will improve parts of the park," Caravati said. "Meadowcreek will enable you to get into the park."
Richards added that the planned highway will not only be used for cars and buses, but will be the "first and only direct connection to date between 20 North and the downtown area for bicyclists and pedestrians"
Read More
Board of Visitors ends support for racial diversity goals
By Brendon Bordwine | 3 hours agoThe newly approved resolution, titled “Advancing Free Inquiry and Viewpoint Diversity at U.Va.”, calls for efforts to create a campus environment that supports open political dialogue, constructive debate and respect for differing perspectives.
Student Council unanimously approves Summer 2025 budget
By Lauren Seeliger | 5 hours agoUtilization rates refer to the amount of money actually used within the allocated budget — increasing these rates to prevent wasted money has been a primary goal of Student Council.
Bert Ellis reflects on time as member of Board of Visitors
By Cecilia Mould | 12 hours agoWhile Ellis entered the Board with certain priorities in mind, he said that most had not been accomplished during his term, without a majority of Youngkin appointees on the Board.
