According to Jefferson Scholars Foundation President James Wright, plans for the new Jefferson Fellows Center have been submitted to the City of Charlottesville and are awaiting approval. The Foundation hopes to begin building this summer and complete construction in time for the 2009-10 school year, Wright said, adding that his foundation cannot begin the building process until the city provides a building permit.
The site of the proposed center -- which will provide prospective, highly desired graduate students with a "powerful incentive" to attend the University, according to Wright -- is currently occupied by the former residence of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. That building, which in the past has been called a historical landmark by some community leaders, was purchased by the foundation and deemed unfit for further use last year; plans to raze the house moved forward. In its place will stand the new Jefferson Fellows Center, which will come at an estimated cost of $8 million and will feature an environmentally conscious design.
Principal of VMDO Architects Robert W. Moje said there is no set date for getting city approval on the submitted plans.
"In the planning process, there is no defined schedule, no timeline to get the comments [from the city] back; the comments may or may not need a response," he said. "We are hoping that [the approval date] will be soon.
--compiled by Elizabeth Bird
Read More
How Youngkin reshaped Virginia during his term
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoAfter nearly four years in office, here is an overview of how Youngkin changed Virginia.
Spanberger, Callsen and Laufer outline legislative priorities following election victories
By Brendon Bordwine | 2 days agoAs the campaigns drew to a close following sweeping Democratic victories, attention now turns to how Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and Charlottesville-area Dels. Katrina Callsen and Amy Laufer will shape the future of Charlottesville in their upcoming terms, especially for students at the University.
UJC celebrates 70th anniversary, adjudicates 10 cases in case-heavy fall semester
By Grace Little | 2 days agoThe University Judiciary Committee has adjudicated ten cases this semester and has 17 pending cases.
