Author: Jim

This is the type of information dissemination that this blog is about – Crozet-specific announcements, news, etc. This new library has the potential to invigorate Crozet even more.

We are  pleased to announce that Albemarle County is in final contract negotiations  with the architectural firm of Grimm and Parker for site selection analysis  and design of our new Crozet Library.

Eight  firms responded to the countys request for proposals, submitting credentials,  experience, references, examples of work and design philosophies.  These eight proposals were reviewed and scored by county and  Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL) representatives, and the top three  firms were identified.  These three firms were then invited  to make formal presentations to, and be interviewed by an architect selection  committee, consisting of five county representatives, JMRL library director,  John Halliday, Library Board Representative, Tim Tolson, Building Advisory  Committee representatives, Tom Hurst and William Schrader, and  myself.

Grimm and Parker was voted the committees top choice.  Out of McLean, Virginia, Grimm and Parker will partner with the local firm of Heyward Boyd, and will bring thirty years of library design experience to our  project.  Factors contributing to this firms selection  include the firms dedication to the community input process, creative and  innovative design concepts, and the ability to stay on budget.  John Halliday has spoken with library directors who have worked with  Grimm and Parker, and has heard only praise for this firm. 

This  Friday, library representatives, representatives of the Building Advisory  Committee and county staff will be visiting two Grimm and Parker libraries in  Maryland.
 
Three  building sites are still under consideration, two downtown sites and the old  school site.  Grimm and Parker will be conducting public  forums to gather input and work through the pros and cons of the various  sites. Stay tuned for announcements of these forums!  We want your input!

I feel certain that, with  Grimm and Parker as our design team and the creative input and energies of the  dedicated library community, were headed for a beautiful and dynamic Crozet  Library, a true reflection of our community. 

If you’d like more  information, or have suggestions or concerns, please feel free to  contact:

Building Advisory  Committee Representatives: William Schrader and Thomas Hurst, Library Board Representative Tim Tolson.

The “staying on budget” aspect is exciting – will penalty clauses be written into the Contract?

The semi-annual tradition continues –

This weekend is the Spring Crozet Arts and Crafts Show at Claudius Crozet Park. This serves as the fundraiser for the park and pool. Show hours are 10-5PM on Saturday May 13, and Sunday May 14th. Please come by and support your park!

Come on out to Crozet this weekend!

There will also be a yard sale in Parkside Village.

The PVHOA would like to hold a semi-annual Parkside Village community yard sale. The first would be held on Saturday May 13, 2006. The next would be held on Saturday October 7, 2006. These dates coincide with the Crozet Park’s Arts and Crafts Festival. 

Yard sales will be set up and run by individual households on their property.  If there are students in the neighborhood in need of community service hours we would love to turn the sign making and advertising over to you. It would be a great way to serve your immediate community and fill up some of those service hours.

Crozet is getting two traffic signals! Might they consider making them flashing lights that do not require stopping during non-school hours?

There was a nasty multi-vehicle wreck the other day on Route 240/Crozet Avenue at about 8:45 am – right when everybody was trying to make it to the schools. Some were able to turn around and make their way to the new Old Trail connector road. Others were stuck in the backup. Most surprising was that the police guarding the movie set in Old Trail couldn’t be bothered to leave their posts chit-chatting. I have little doubt that they were off-duty police, but they were in uniform and were driving County police cars – my thought is that public safety should come first. Silly me.

The DP has a good story this morning about the tunnel running under Afton mountain. Soon, it will be part of Nelson County’s tourism business.

“It’s going to be pretty dark,” Gandy said, explaining that the Whitesell Group studied a similar, longer tunnel in Seattle that used only reflectors when it was turned into a trail. “It sort of looked like you’re walking at night under a full moon. … To light it is just a sin. You want that endorphin rush when you’re coming through.”

I’m going to have to go one day soon.

It’s this type of community that makes Crozet a nice place to live.

Dear Members of the Crozet Community,

We wanted to let you know that on Friday, March 31, children at Crozet Elementary School will be walking to school. This event is designed to help kids learn that fitness can be fun and practical. Students have been learning about pedestrian safety and are eager to practice their new skills. 

Supported by the Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation [ACCT] and their Safe Routes to School initiative, this event encourages all families who can walk to school to do so. Children who must ride the bus will have the opportunity to take a walk around the outside of the school before entering the building for the day. Parents who drive their children by car are invited to park at Crozet Baptist Church on St. George Avenue and walk to school from there under the supervision of school staff. A second supervised “Walking School Bus” will walk from the Brookwood neighborhood.

Members of the community are advised to be on the lookout for children walking in the neighborhoods and to be extra careful driving between 7-8am.

If you have questions, please contact the following:

Karen Marcus, Principal
823-4800

Linda Kobert
ACCT Safe Routes to School Coordinator
295-6554

Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation
Safe Routes to School
PO Box 1582
(609 East Market Street, Suite 106)
Charlottesville, VA  22902
tel/fax: 434.295.6554
www.transportationchoice.org

Mark your calendars – the March meeting is this Thursday, March 9, 7:30 at the Crozet Firehouse. The Agenda is below.

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