Sean Tubbs, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

News

JMRL Board of Trustees votes to end most fines on overdue materials

Next July, the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system—which comprises eight library locations—will join programs around the United States in doing away with charging fines for missed return deadlines. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously on September 22 to direct staff to plan to stop doing so for most items. In January 2019, the Council of the […]

Sean Tubbs | September 26, 2025

News

Manning Institute of Biotechnology director outlines hope for creating new medicines

The skyline above the Fontaine Research Park temporarily includes two cranes as construction continues on projects such as the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. Last spring, the institute’s first director was hired after a career in the pharmaceutical industry that he now hopes will have a new chapter in Virginia. “When I joined […]

Sean Tubbs | September 24, 2025

News Real Estate

Former Bamboo House on U.S. 29 in north Albemarle up for sale

Albemarle County and the University of Virginia are both betting that properties on U.S. 29 north of Airport Road will yield an economic development bonanza. Now a development company representing the owners of the now-closed Bamboo House restaurant at 4831 Seminole Trail are hoping to capitalize on investment in both the Rivanna Futures project and […]

Sean Tubbs | September 19, 2025

News Real Estate

Concerns over traffic, density, and scope stall vote on major Albemarle rezoning

For decades, Albemarle County’s Comprehensive Plan has placed a portion of land near the intersection of U.S. 29 and Interstate 64 in the growth area. Riverbend Development filed for a rezoning for the property in early 2022, and the Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 9. “We do think that there are lots […]

Sean Tubbs | September 17, 2025

News Real Estate

UVA Board of Visitors signs off on lease of Oak Lawn to Charlottesville City Schools

A new chapter is about to begin for a historic property in Charlottesville’s neighborhood Fifeville that for many years served as the home of two city mayors. The University of Virginia Board of Visitors has agreed to lease the 5.2-acre Oak Lawn property to Charlottesville City Schools with an option for the city to buy. […]

Sean Tubbs | September 12, 2025

News Real Estate

Council upholds BAR’s decision to deny request to demolish historic house

An attorney for the owner of 1301 Wertland St. told Charlottesville City Council on September 2 that tearing down the structure for new apartments would outweigh any historic preservation goals. “We believe the prevailing factors are the policies prioritized in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and implemented through the [new zoning ordinance] to increase housing opportunities […]

Sean Tubbs | September 10, 2025

News

Unhoused support groups call on Charlottesville to designate campsites on city property

Those who packed Charlottesville City Council chambers Tuesday, September 2, to protest a draft ordinance that would criminalize camping and storing personal items on public property had a strong message. “This is not the time to be adhering to draconian Trump-like policies on some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Shayla Washington, executive director […]

Sean Tubbs | September 5, 2025

News

Charlottesville City Council declines to move forward with anti-camping ordinance

The chambers of Charlottesville City Council were full Tuesday night as people showed up to express strong opinions on two hot issues, including a proposed ban on camping on public property. “I have lived on these streets, not once, but multiple times and I know what it’s like to face long cold dark nights with […]

Sean Tubbs | September 3, 2025

News Real Estate

Will Albemarle land an AstraZeneca pharmaceutical factory?

In July, officials with the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced they would be investing $50 billion in the United States for new factories and research centers. According to a press release, this would include a new “multi-billion dollar drug substance manufacturing centre focused on chronic diseases” to be located in Virginia. However, no official announcement […]

Sean Tubbs | September 3, 2025

News Real Estate

PHAR resists West Main student housing

When Charlottesville City Council adopted a new zoning code in December 2023, a key idea was to reduce the role elected and appointed officials play in determining what can be built where. The idea was to improve certainty for developers. Under those rules, the LV Collective has the right to build an 11-story building at […]

Sean Tubbs | August 27, 2025