The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of its third round of Strengthening Systems grants. Piedmont Environmental Council and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission received a two-year grant of $179,804 to complete plans and generate active community support for a regional bike and pedestrian trail network and begin implementation.
Albemarle County & the City of Charlottesville
The staff in PEC's Charlottesville office works with citizens to solve the many land use and conservation challenges facing the Charlottesville and Albemarle area.
City of Charlottesville — 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update Kickoff
Over the next year Charlottesville will be undertaking an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This Plan is the City’s vision as a community that guides decision making processes for such matters as Land Use (development and growth), Housing (affordability and access) and Transportation (all modes of transit and parking).
Albemarle’s Mountain Heritage: An Open House at Mount Fair
On September 29, 2018 PEC held its 7th annual mountain heritage day at historic Mount Fair Farm in western Albemarle County. The property’s owners, John and Dudley Macfarlane, generously opened up their property to the public so that the entire community could take a trip back in time to learn about the mountain culture of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Over the course of the day, more than 300 visitors joined us.
Trail Blazing
Pedestrian and bicycle trail systems can improve our health, increase property value, provide sustainable transportation choices and even strengthen a community’s economy — especially in an urban area.
Something not everyone may know about PEC is that we’ve been working to increase public access to parks, historic sites and a number of different trail networks. This type of work helps provide more options for people in the region to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and connect with the land. Trails in urban settings can also provide a more sustainable and healthy way of traveling in and around neighborhoods. These benefits are why we have raised funds for the extension of the Warrenton Branch Greenway in Fauquier County and partnered with James Madison’s Montpelier and Grelen Market to facilitate the creation of the Montpelier-Grelen trail, to name a few.
Dominion’s Proposed Transmission Tower Choice Causes Controversy in Albemarle
The following email alert was sent out August 2016 regarding Dominion’s plans to rebuild the Cunningham-Dooms line and the upcoming SCC public hearing:
Transportation Board Awards Route 29 Solutions Contract
The Commonwealth Transportation Board has awarded Lane/Corman Joint Venture the $116.7 million design-build contract to improve the Route 29 corridor in Albemarle County. Lane/Corman will widen Route 29 between Polo Grounds Road and Towncenter Drive, extend Berkmar Drive from Hilton Heights Road to Towncenter Drive, and construct a grade-separated intersection at Route 29 and Rio Road.
“Governor McAuliffe and his administration are focused on building the right transportation projects for the right reasons,” said Secretary of Transportation Aubrey L. Layne Jr. “These projects, and the rest of the Route 29 Solutions projects, will provide real safety improvements and real congestion relief for everyone who uses this corridor. The award of this contract is a major step toward delivery of these critical highway improvements.”
Read the rest of the VDOT Press Release
Email Alert: Almost There
A year ago, it seemed impossible to believe that VDOT would put the brakes on the Western Bypass, or start moving forward with more effective, environmentally sound transportation solutions for Rt. 29.
Albemarle & Cville Update — Dec 2014
Text from our Dec 2014 Member Newsletter:
The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter as VDOT continues to move forward with real solutions for Route 29 just north of Charlottesville. VDOT has received approval to release all of the property acquired to build the proposed Western Bypass, and they are taking steps to sell the land.
Design Matters – VDOT Accepting Comments on Rt. 29 Projects
While momentum has shifted towards positive, effective improvements to Rt. 29, it’s now critical for the public to weigh in on something important — design.
Albemarle Supervisors Host Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Route 29 Solutions
Albemarle County Supervisors are hosting town hall meetings to discuss the Route 29 Solutions Package. The intent of these meetings is to provide the public with an understanding of the projects, the impact they will have on the larger transportation network, and an opportunity to ask questions. Details on the concept recommendation package can be found on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s website.