A central corner

With a new zoning code on the horizon, Charlottesville’s built environment is poised to continue its transformation into a slightly larger urban community. There are many corners that could change in the near future due to the possibility of new ownership, as well as public investment.   Consider the intersection of Ridge and West Main […]

Devil in the details

Don Polonis has opinions. Some may consider them divisive. So on June 2, Polonis did what anyone with a controversial opinion might do: He posted his thoughts on the internet. “Imagine that!” Polonis wrote in a public Facebook group. “Satan fuc*ed up when he stole Noah’s covenant to create LGBTQ+ pride flag.” Alongside his thoughts, […]

Planning for people

The July 27 community meeting about the proposed Dairy Market expansion quickly turned heated when residents of the 10th and Page neighborhood expressed their concerns and frustrations about the project. Held at Old Trinity Church on the corner of Grady Avenue and 10th Street, the meeting included several easels, set up by Stony Point Development […]

Siren song

After months of financial turmoil, Siren restaurant has closed its doors. Since taking sole ownership of the business in December of 2022, restaurateur Laura Fonner has been fighting to keep Siren solvent. “I had a big investor meeting with new people [recently], and there was potential to get money to save us,” says Fonner. “But […]

Expanding growth areas?

For decades Albemarle has put a premium on protecting rural land by concentrating development in about 5 percent of the county’s 726 square miles. But as the review of the Comprehensive Plan continues, community members are being asked to weigh in on where future development might go.  “There will be places that we recognize it’s […]

In the smoking section

Canada is burning, and we’re all inhaling the smoke. The worst wildfire season in our northern neighbor’s history began in the spring and has raged into summer, with winds carrying smoke down the northeastern United States, along the East Coast, and into the Midwest. New York City took on a horrid red Martian hue as […]

Building secure connections

On July 19 and 20, the University of Virginia hosted the Virginia Cybersecurity Education Conference, which brought cybersecurity educators together from across the state.   “It’s just good to connect these educators together to share resources and lots of interesting talks,” says David Raymond, director of U.S. Cyber Range, the event’s creator and organizer. “They […]

In brief

Diving in Local swimming star Thomas Heilman has qualified for the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The 16-year-old qualified for the competition earlier this summer at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis, where he also broke two national age group records, including one set by Olympian Michael Phelps. Since stepping (er, swimming) […]

Stepping up

New Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders was sworn in at the July 17 City Council meeting. Sanders, whose first day on the job is August 1, has served as the deputy city manager of operations since July 2021, and succeeds interim city manager Michael Rogers.  “When we launched the search for our next city manager, […]

Smooth landing

The Department of Parks and Recreation will meet with Charlottesville City Council in August for the final approval of the purchase of the Moore’s Creek Farm property, the current location of International Rescue Committee’s New Roots Farm. The New Roots program’s mission is to support refugee food security, and aid refugees’ transition to the community […]