2008-02-11 (5 pm) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2 Dr. Brown said he largely agrees with Mr. Huja. He said the simplicity of the Mall is one reason it works. He said he worries about trying to make it do too much. He said he agrees we should think twice about the water amenities. He said we should talk through the brick issue. He said there is no question that the bricks need to be replaced. He said the sidestreets are a separate issue. Mr. Huja said he thinks that in the long run it is better to use granite rather than concrete. Ms. Edwards echoed comments made about the fountains. She said that rather than just a fountain for children, she would prefer to see an interactive toddler area. She said we should make the Mall welcoming for diverse people, and this provides an opportunity to do that. Mr. Norris said he also agrees with most of what Mr. Huja has said, and feels the Mall should not be cluttered. He said he is not sold on the fountains because of the cost and because he does not think parents take their children to the Mall for water activities. He suggested that there be other kinds of interactive spaces for children, and referred to a play area on the Mall in Boulder, Colorado. Redevelopment of Martha Jefferson Hospital Mr. Steve Bowers with Martha Jefferson Hospital gave a status report on the relocation of Martha Jefferson Hospital to Peter Jefferson Parkway and the subsequent redevelopment opportunities for the current Hospital on Locust Avenue. Mr. Bowers said that the property will not be put out to the highest bidder. He said a market and demand analysis is being done and should be completed in the next two weeks. He said there is an opportunity for mixed use development on the site, with higher density along High Street, stepping down as you go north and along Locust Avenue. He said that MJH has committed to preserving specific houses on Locust Avenue as a condition with the developer, regardless of their eventual use. Mr. Huja said he thinks MJH is using the right process. Mr. Taliaferro thanked MJH for working with the neighborhood and maintaining the structures on Locust Avenue. Ms. Edwards said she would like to see the houses return to residential. She said she would also like to see diversity in the redevelopment. Mr. Huja said he would like to see affordable housing as part of the diversity. Dr. Brown said he thinks the involvement by U. Va. students is positive, and asked for Mr. Bowers’ thoughts about an advisory committee. Mr. Bowers said the neighborhood’s idea is to create a community council. He said he thinks that is a great idea and he invited suggestion for members. Dr. Brown said there are a number of other properties that the neighborhood is interested in preserving. Mr. Norris noted that the original core of the Hospital is historic. Mr. Bowers said a policy conversation should happen about the other structures. He said some could be traded off for another use. He said there are historic, economic and demographic components. Mr. Norris asked if the analysis will include the feasibility of a hotel/conference center on the site. Mr. Bowers said the analysis was done of existing hotel/conference centers in town, and said it may be good to dive deeper into a study of that.