Charlottesville City Council passed a $400,000 appropriation last night to support a $900,000 University construction project to improve the intersection at Emmet and Ivy roads.
David Neuman, head architect for the University, said the University wants to improve safety at the intersection and create a more aesthetically pleasing entrance for visitors. For example, the University plans to demolish a closed gas station at the intersection to make room for a park alongside Carr's Hill Field, Neuman said.
The University also plans to make safety improvements, including the construction of new sidewalks, curbs and lighting as well as new bike lanes and wider traffic lanes, Neuman said.
The improvements will focus on opening up "a vista to the University ... so you'll be able to take in a perspective of the University," Neuman said. "There's no intention to ever build another building" at that location. The City is focusing on improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and drainage, said Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services for the City.
"Bike and [pedestrian] issues are one of the primary concerns of our city council," Tolbert said, adding that "this area has been a drainage problem for years" and the City has only been able to make small improvements to the storm drainage system to this point.
The appropriation had already been thoroughly reviewed by both the mayor and City manager before it was placed on the agenda at last night's meeting since it was likely to pass, Council Member David Brown said.
Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris said all the funds for the project will be taken from savings on other improvement projects.
The University must both acquire the land and pay for the costs of the improvements, Neuman said, adding that the University will start the project in the near future.
"We're going to get demolition permits this month," Neuman said. The University will clear the area next month and the project "should be finished before spring," weather permitting, Neuman said.
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