Month: August 2014

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Steetscape Update 30 August 2014 – Crosswalks & Native Plants

via email:

PROJECT UPDATE:   

TRAFFIC NOTICE:

Please note that we are in the process of installing crosswalks, which requires the installation of temporary “bumps” at each crosswalk. “Bump Ahead” signs have been posted to warn motoristsof the changing road conditions. Please drive slowly over these temporary bumps. Please remain alert and drive/walk carefully when traveling through the construction area. Thank you for your patience and courtesy to motorists, pedestrians and workers during this difficult phase of construction.   

The following progress was made this past week:

– Installation of crosswalk base slabs at the Library Avenue and Jarman’s Gap Road intersections.
– A preliminary inspection occurred this past Wednesday.   

The following items are scheduled through the end of the project:

– Base slabs for all crosswalks are scheduled to be completed next week, which will require several more days of metal plates covering the crosswalks while the concrete cures. Please drive slowly over the metal plates. “Steel Plate” signs will be posted to warn motorist of the changing road conditions.
– Final connection of light poles on the west side of Crozet Avenue to be completed in the next two weeks.
– Final project finishes include milling, final paving and striping to be completed in the next 2-4 weeks. Crosswalk paver installation will occur at the very end following final paving. Final paving will result in a smooth driving surface.
– Landscaping is scheduled to begin the week of September 22nd and will take approximately 2 weeks to complete.   

As part of the County’s native landscaping initiative, 100% of the plantings on this project will be native plants. The use of native plants can result in the following benefits:

· Reduce long term maintenance costs
· Reduce water usage
· Protect and enhance county biodiversity
· Improve urban habitat for non-urban birds and other important wildlife
· Reduce number of ‘urban bird vectors’ that carry the West Nile Virus, through increasing overall bird diversity, thus reducing West Nile Virus.
· Increase native pollinators for both agriculture and gardening
· Improve soil quality
· Promote the regional economic vitality through the production of local eco-types of our native plant varieties
· Meet LEED requirements
· Carry on the important historic legacy of Thomas Jefferson’s use of native plants For more information on native plants of Albemarle County, please visit www.albemarle.org/nativeplants.

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Week ending 30 August on RealCrozetVA Facebook

I do these summaries because:

1) I post useful things on Facebook and not everyone follows the RealCrozetVA Facebook or Twitter.

2) I want these posts to be search- and find-able; Facebook doesn’t allow that.

– 30 August 2014 – “Downtown Crozet is a bit of a mess right now … being nice to each other wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

– 30 August 2014 –

“@realcrozetva are there bike racks @henleyhornets ? Easy to take jarmans gap to #oldtrail to get there now.”

– 28 August –

Reason #379 that I love Crozet:

A friend called me asking me about the safety/placement of one of the steel plates. I emailed someone at the county about it who also happens to live in Crozet.

Got a call within 20 minutes saying that he had gone over and looked at it and was having the contractor look at it and one of the other ones.

So, thank you, Crozet.

Continue reading “Week ending 30 August on RealCrozetVA Facebook”

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Streetscape Update – 26 August 2014

via email:

As previously advised, crosswalk installation across Crozet Avenue and Jarmans Gap Road started this week. This work requires the use of steel plates to cover the newly poured base slabs until the slabs cure in approximately one day. After the concrete cures the steel plates will be removed and asphalt wedges will be installed at each crosswalk, which will make travel through the area bumpy and slower than usual.

?Signage will be posted where steel plates are being used.

?This work should be complete within 2 to 3 weeks.  
 
Please use caution and reduce your speed when driving through the area. Thank you for your patience during this last but important phase of construction. 
 
For more information on the Crozet Streetscape project, visit www.albemarle.org/crozetstreetscape. 

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Streetscape Update 24 August 2014

Crozet Streetscape 8-24-14

via email:

The following progress was made over the past two weeks:

• Installation of the remaining paver sidewalks.

• Wall installation at Morningside.

• Curb and sidewalk at The Square intersection.

• Base paving of the Library Avenue extension.

• Hand railing on the Pediatric building.

• Installation of crosswalk base slab at Library Avenue.

The following progress is anticipated in the next two weeks:

• Completion of base slabs for all crosswalks.

• Final connection of light poles on the west side of Crozet Avenue.

Crozet Avenue will be paved with the final surface course of asphalt after the crosswalk base slabs are completed. Crosswalk pavers will then be installed after final paving. It is anticipated that milling and installation of the surface asphalt layer will begin in the next 3-4 weeks and crosswalk pavers will be installed in the next 4-6 weeks.

?Landscaping is scheduled to begin within the next 4-6 weeks.?

?Please note that trash cans are for public use and that businesses should refrain from using the receptacles for business refuse.?

Please remain alert and drive/walk carefully when traveling through the construction zone. Thank you for your patience during this time of construction to improve the downtown Crozet area.

For more information on the Crozet Streetscape project, visit www.albemarle.org/crozetstreetscape.

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CCAC Meeting – 21 August 2014 Recap

Lots of interesting news, as usual, at last night’s CCAC meeting. Really, more should go, listen, learn and get involved. This group has immense influence, and this meeting is where one can learn a lot about the current state of Crozet.

– CCAC Meeting location changes next month

– Flag and basket holders for the new light poles on Crozet Ave

– Someone stole the “Welcome to Crozet” sign on 240. Jerk.

– Harris Teeter pedestrian crossing delayed. Complain about it here.

– Crozet School crossing delayed. That this has been in the works for 4+ years is absurd.

– Read all of the tweets about Frank Stoner’s comments (starting at 19:50); they’re on point and interesting – wind energy, hotel, apartments. Notably, “Private money expects some return.” – an understanding of which has seemingly proved elusive thus far.

– The Lodge’s 3rd Annual Crozet Culinary Competition is 18 September.

– Re Store n Station has applied for an ABC Off license; rumors of the license application (currently Off) to be an on as well.

As always, click through and scroll to the bottom and work your way up.

Read all of the CCAC stories. Continue reading “CCAC Meeting – 21 August 2014 Recap”

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A Few Break ins in Crozet

There have been several Crozet break-ins recently …

“Since July 24, there have been 4 daytime burglaries in the Crozet area. In all of these incidents, the homes were unlocked, and the stolen items were easily visible through windows. All incidents involved the theft of electronic equipment. Two of the incidents occurred in Old Trail, one in Bargamin Loop (across from Old Trail), and one 1.4 miles away on Railroad Ave. There have been no incidents reported to have occurred since August 8. Please be mindful to lock your doors when you leave, and report any suspicious activity to the police.”

You can see reported crimes on Crimemapping.com.

This is the bulletin from the Albemarle County Police Department.(pdf)

via Crozet Safety Corps and CPT Jenkins.

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CCAC Meeting Tonight – 21 August

Anyone available to tweet the meeting? Please? (bolding below is mine)

CROZET COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL The Meadows, Crozet (5735 Meadows Dr.)
Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Agenda

Agenda Review. (Meg Holden – CCAC chair)

Approval of Minutes.

Project Updates/Information:

Library updates– Bill Schrader

Meeting date and location change

Streetscape updates/issues if there are any – will invite Trevor Henry

Crozet Safety Corps update – Tom Loach

Harris Teeter Crossing and Crozet School Crossing

Brief update of Barnes Lumber Property – an indefinite deferral was granted with a 5 – 0 vote of the Planning Commission 4. Items not listed on the agenda.

Announcements.

Future Agenda Items.

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Musictoday bought by Delivery Agent

The Daily Progress reports:

Fitzsimmons said his company — with 375 employees in its San Francisco headquarters and offices in Denver, New York and London — will keep Musictoday’s nearly 150 employees and its 200,000-square-foot office-and-warehouse space in Crozet, with plans to expand.

“We’re committed to the Virginia space and to the employees,” he said. “We have a great team there — tenured and loyal. We’re committed to expand the operation there.”

The company already has contracted for space for about 50 more employees in another facility in Charlottesville, he said.

Good news that they’re not moving from Crozet (which would be a tremendous loss) but I wonder why they’re adding to another facility rather than Crozet?