Community Meeting on Crozet Streetscape

Come out to this community meeting to obtain information on the contractor’s plan of action for construction of the streetscape project from south of Tabor Street to The Square.

The Crozet Master Plan describes the focus of Crozet’s future development will be in the downtown area.  One of the critical elements of imlementation of the Crozet Master Plan is developing needed transportation infrastructure.  This network includes the creation of new Main Street and improvements to Crozet Avenue within the downtown area.  The Streetscape Project Phase 2 is an essential step in achieving the goals of the master plan by improving pedestrian connectivity within downtown Crozet providing economic benefits and increased vitality for business owners, balancing the needs of all users including vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, and aesthetically enhancing the netry way and main thoroughfare of downtown.  Construction is expected to start in December and last through early Fall 2014.

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The public is invited to a community meeting to discuss details of the second phase of the streetscape project that will bring enhancements along Crozet Avenue in downtown Crozet scheduled for Tuesday evening, December 3, beginning at 7:00 pm at the Western Albemarle High School cafeteria.  The streetscape project is one of the projects in the Crozet master plan focused on preserving downtown as the focal point and community center of Crozet as well as fostering economic vitality and accentuating historic character.  A contractor has been selected for construction of the streetscape improvements, and construction is scheduled to begin later in December.

Streetscape enhancements will take place along Crozet Avenue to Tabor Street, including sidewalks, street trees, pedestrian/street lighting, crosswalks, benches and other street amenities, bio-filters, and bike lanes. Drainage improvements will include curbs, gutters and a new stormwater drainage system. With so much construction activity planned for downtown Crozet, the coordination and timing of these projects is crucial to maintain traffic and pedestrian movements.  Plans for this coordination will be discussed at the December 3 meeting.

In 2007, the County completed the Downtown Crozet Streetscape Project, Phase 1 that encompassed streetscape, aesthetic, crosswalk and storm drainage improvements at the intersection of Crozet Avenue and Three Notch’d Road.  In 2010, the County completed the Downtown Crozet Streetscape Project, Phase 2A that encompassed the construction of Library Avenue and the 20’ and 10’ alleys.  In 2013, the County completed the new Downtown Crozet Library on the corner of Crozet Avenue and the Library.  The Downtown Crozet Streetscape Project, Phase 2 is the final project to construct streetscape improvements to Crozet Avenue from Tabor Street to the Square.

The streetscape project is an essential step in achieving the goals of the Crozet Master Plan by improving pedestrian connectivity within downtown Crozet, providing economic benefits and increased vitality for business owners, balancing the needs of all users including vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and aesthetically enhancing the entry way and main thoroughfare of downtown. This phase of the project is being funded in part by a Transportation Enhancement Program grant through the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The public is invited to stay up to date on the streetscape project following the December 3 meeting via the following options:

• ·         Crozet Streetscape website – www.albemarle.org/crozetstreetscape
• ·         Streetscape update enews service – sign up by selecting “Crozet Projects” at www.albemarle.org/crozetamail