April 26, 2005
Local business developers pitched ideas to further their possibilities with future construction along U.S. Route 29.
Those developers looked into a crystal ball and talked about options ranging from light rail systems to small residential and shopping districts to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
The developers gathered for an informal kick-off to 'Places 29' which is the title of the upcoming projects for U.S. Route 29. 'Places 29' is a result of Albemarle County's master plan for the northern development area covering Route 250 all the way past the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has partnered with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to come up with and deliver the kind projects people in the community want to see.
"They really have the most to say about what goes on U.S. Route 29. It's not just the roadways, it's the connecting roadways, and places like the Berkmar extension, and the Hillsdale extension," said Harrison Rue, Executive Director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission.
The partners hope to establish a great business environment about one block off of U.S. 29, and create shopping centers and more development opportunities which would bring the local and business traffic off of U.S. 29, and onto the new main streets on either side.
"We'll be looking at transit, and modeling, and measuring its suitability along the corridor as well," Rue added.
If any of these plans are to be implemented, it could take at least a half century for you to notice changes on U.S. 29.
Kick-Off For "Places 29"