In an effort to delay construction of the proposed 1,200 car parking garage behind the Cavalier Inn, Charlottesville officials have appealed to top University administrators to postpone the project until the two parties can reach an agreement on the issue.
Area residents are hoping to block the project, contending that the parking garage will add to the already crowded intersection at Ivy Road and Emmett Street. They also claimed that the influx of 1,200 more vehicles will expand problems to outlying areas, including Jefferson Park Avenue, Barrack's Road, University Avenue and Ivy Road near the 250 bypass, Charlottesville Mayor Blake Caravati said.
Homeowners in the adjacent Lewis Mountain neighborhood also expressed concern for damage to the neighborhood itself resulting from problems with cut-through traffic. Residents have objected to using valuable real estate property for a large parking lot, which will serve the proposed Massie Road arena in addition to use for student parking.
According to a University-commissioned study, the project will not add to current congestion problems.
"It's counterintuitive to most people that you can put 1,200 cars in an intersection and not have negative results," Caravati said.
City officials have written several letters to University administrators including President John T. Casteen III and Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, requesting to be part of the garage's plans as part of a 1986 Three Party Agreement, which requires cooperation among the University, city and Albemarle County with land-use issues.
"The city first expressed concerns about any issue involving the garage in a letter dated April 24, 2002, and even since that date city officials have continued working with our people to determine how best to control and direct traffic," Casteen said.
Charlottesville officials have asked the University to reconsider either relocating the garage or reducing the lot's capacity by 250 to 500 cars.
While University administrators have offered to include city officials in the planning process, they will not discuss either the size or location of the structure, Caravati said.
"That's perceived as very arrogant on the part of Lewis Mountain residents," Caravati said.
The University has been working with Charlottesville officials to minimize problems, including plans to synchronize traffic lights, control area access and modify traffic plans during peak hours, Casteen said.
Caravati also has submitted a letter to Casteen, asking that the University submit to an arbitrator to settle the dispute in hopes of maintaining the long-standing cooperation between the University and the city.
"Charlottesville needs the University and the University needs Charlottesville," Caravati said. "It's important to get this over in a way that promotes cooperation."
In addition, an archeologist discovered a possible 19th century unmarked grave on the proposed construction site. As part of pre-construction procedures, University officials conducted the land survey, which uncovered the grave located along the site's north section, adjacent to the railroad tracks.
University consultant Benjamin Ford will conduct further site exploration to determine whether the found remains are human and whether there are other shafts in the area.
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