The Charlottesville City Council has unanimously voted to authorize the purchase of an office building at 2000 Holiday Drive for $6.2 million. The city intends to convert the property into a low-barrier shelter to address a significant need for services for its unhoused population.
The decision marks a major step in the city's ongoing efforts to find a suitable location for a shelter with fewer entry requirements. However, several procedural and logistical hurdles remain before the building can be operational.
Key Takeaways
- The Charlottesville City Council voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of 2000 Holiday Drive for $6.2 million.
- The plan is to convert the former office building into a large-capacity, low-barrier homeless shelter.
- The project requires further steps, including a public hearing, a second vote to allocate funds, and extensive renovations.
- Service providers and community members have expressed both cautious optimism and concerns about the location's accessibility.
Council Authorizes Major Step in Shelter Plan
In a decisive move on Monday night, all five members of the Charlottesville City Council voted in favor of a resolution to purchase the property at 2000 Holiday Drive. The acquisition is central to the city's strategy to establish a low-barrier shelter, which would offer services to individuals without strict requirements regarding substance use or identification.
Mayor Juandiego Wade described the vote as a significant moment for the city. "This is a tremendous step and opportunity for the community, and I’m looking forward to making it a reality," Wade stated during the meeting.
The decision comes after months of searching for a viable location and follows the council's recent tabling of a controversial ordinance that would have prohibited homeless encampments within city limits.
Background on the Shelter Search
For months, Charlottesville officials and service providers have been working to identify a site for a low-barrier shelter. The primary location under consideration was previously the Salvation Army’s Thrift Store on Cherry Avenue, a more residential area. The selection of the Holiday Drive property represents a strategic shift in the city's approach.
Details of the Proposed Facility
The property at 2000 Holiday Drive is a former office building that has been vacant for approximately two years. Located off Route 29, it sits on a 3.8-acre lot, providing substantial space for the proposed facility and potential future services.
City Manager Sam Sanders highlighted the advantages of the site. "We have successfully found an opportunity to acquire a substantial piece of property," Sanders said. "Not just the building itself but the land that is available as well allows us to attack this issue from multiple angles."
Property at a Glance
- Location: 2000 Holiday Drive, near Route 29
- Purchase Price: $6.2 million
- Property Size: Approximately 3.8 acres
- Transit Access: Around 1,000 feet from a Charlottesville Area Transit bus stop
- Potential Capacity: Estimated to hold over 200 beds
Councilor Michael Payne emphasized the importance of the building's potential size. "This site also just provides the space... to build a large enough shelter for 200 plus people, which I think is a really important point," he noted.
Next Steps and Remaining Challenges
While the initial authorization is a key milestone, the process is far from complete. The city must conduct a due diligence study of the property, which will continue until October 30, to identify any major structural or environmental issues.
A public hearing is scheduled for October 20, followed by a required second reading and vote to officially allocate the $6.2 million from city funds. If these steps proceed without issue, the transaction is expected to close on November 20.
Conversion and Renovation Work
A significant challenge will be converting the office building into a residential facility. City Manager Sanders acknowledged the extensive work required. "There is a lot of work that has to be done to figure out how to activate the space," he explained. "Because it is an office building today, it is not meant for people to sleep in it overnight."
The city plans to collaborate with local service providers, such as the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRACH), to design and operate the shelter effectively.
Community and Advocate Responses
The proposal has generated a range of reactions from community stakeholders. Service providers have expressed cautious support but also raised questions about the planning process.
"We’re cautiously optimistic and want to learn more, but we definitely need a lot more information before we make a decision," said Shayla Washington, Executive Director of BRACH. She noted concerns about transportation and the building's layout, adding that earlier involvement would have been helpful.
Some members of the unhoused community have voiced concerns about the location. Christopher Hall, who is currently homeless, shared feedback he gathered from others. "A lot of them feel like the proposed location is segregation," Hall said. "Putting us out there, out of sight out of mind, I don’t feel is like the solution."
Council members addressed this concern, with Michael Payne noting the site's proximity to a bus line and grocery stores. Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston called the project "a great opportunity."
The city has put down a $100,000 deposit, which, according to Director of Economic Development Chris Engel, is refundable if the city decides to back out of the deal before the study period ends on October 30. Sanders also clarified that this project does not rule out future use of other sites, including the Cherry Avenue property, to address the broader homelessness crisis.