At an October 20 public hearing on the purchase of 2000 Holiday Dr., business owners expressed concerns over safety. File photo.
Virginia law requires localities to hold a public hearing in certain instances, and City Council’s consideration of spending $6.2 million for a 3.8-acres site at 2000 Holiday Dr. met that threshold after an October 20 meeting.
Council authorized City Manager Sam Sanders to proceed with the purchase on October 6, the third area site associated with a permanent place for people to stay overnight with minimal requirements.
The city bought 405 Levy Ave. from the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority in early 2024 for $4 million. Later in the year, Sanders floated the idea of using the Cherry Avenue Salvation Army thrift store as a low-barrier shelter.
In both cases, neighbors expressed concern about the impact the shelter would have on their property. At the October 20 meeting, residents had the opportunity to comment on the latest idea at a public hearing.
“Our street is comprised entirely of hospitality businesses, two restaurants, four hotels, and a barber shop,” said Angela Spathos, owner of Aberdeen Barn steakhouse, which has operated on Holiday Drive since 1965. “By placing a shelter at the end of our dead-end street, you would be directing shelter residents directly past our entrances and through our parking areas.”
Spathos argued that Emmet Street North, near that location, is not suitable for pedestrians. A man was struck and killed by a vehicle close by on October 1.
Anu Patel of the Econo Lodge on Holiday Drive said thousands of travelers depend on affordable lodging that his business and others provide.
“What security measures will be in place?” Patel asked. “How will the city handle safety-related issues and incidents in this area? There are still too many unanswered questions.”
A man who identified himself only as Leon took issue with characterizations that the unhoused are unsafe.
“I know countless individuals who have experienced homelessness or people who are supporting people who are experiencing homelessness pay for hotel rooms without any issue in that area already,” Leon said.
Alex Joyner, pastor of First United Methodist Church and co-chair of IMPACT, said he supported the purchase but said Charlottesville Area Transit’s route system may need tweaks to make it more useful.
Shayla Washington, executive director of the Blue Ridge Coalition for the Homeless, had not intended to speak but wanted to make sure City Council knew her organization has been working to consider how the site will play a role in what is called the continuum of care.
“We’ve been incredibly thoughtful about this process and while it’s not the perfect location, let’s be real, no place is,” Washington said.
Council agreed unanimously to move forward with the funding as part of a $7.95 million drawdown from a surplus fund.
City Councilor Michael Payne said he supported 2000 Holiday Dr. because it can accommodate more beds than the 50 estimated to be possible at the Cherry Avenue site.
“There’s literally no location in the city that is not going to garner opposition,” Payne said.
The city is still doing its due diligence on the site, and there are no cost estimates yet for what it will take to convert an office building for residential living and support services.
