The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors dealt a devastating blow to Scottsville town leaders at their October 4 meeting, denying $500,000 in requested funding for a street beautification project—a move Scottsville officials say effectively kills their Main Street development plan.
The town council for Scottsville—the small tourist destination nestled in the southern part of Albemarle County along the James River—had been riding high after securing nearly $1 million in State and federal funding, which would go toward burying electrical lines, adding streetlamps and generally “improving” the aesthetics for Main Street and Valley Road, the main thoroughfare of the 550-resident town.
But in July came the bad news: Project bids were over budget by about $750,000. Even after scaling back beautification ambitions, the project was still projected to cost $500,000 more than budgeted.
Chairman Dennis Rooker proposed the County fund half the request if the town council would levy a one-time property tax to pay the rest. His offer came after a somewhat tedious back-and-forth with Scottsville District board member Lindsay Dorrier, during which Dorrier touted a forecasted economic improvement.
Rooker, however, noted the detriment of losing half a million dollars already earmarked for other projects. “This is a capital project that didn’t come through the capital funding process,” said Rooker.
Concerning Rooker’s proposal, Scottsville town councilman Jim Hogan said that, with a bid deadline of October 22, it’s too late to begin discussing a property tax. “Residents would not be in favor of a tax increase, nor could we afford to borrow the money [from the county],” said Hogan. Added Scottsville Mayor R. Stephen Phipps, “Now, I just don’t see how we can do it.”
Along with Dorrier, supervisors David Wyant and Kenneth Boyd were in favor of the funding, in part due to the town’s character and history. Scottsville is called “the birthplace of the county,” and was established in 1744.
Scottsville leaders claim that the project would be too costly at a later date due to rising costs, and so will proceed with restoration work on Valley Road, scheduled to begin later this month.—Burke Speaker
