Healing Charlottesville

Explicate, then Renovate

May 26, 2002,

Dear C-ville Weekly

This email serves to correct an inaccuracy in your story “Renovations at Garrett Square are imminent” and to support (former) Mayor Caravati’s opinion that this community “must” and “will” have a discussion about urban renewal in order to improve race relations (WVIR-29 News five days before election).

Vinegar Hill renewal happened before the 1970s. Voter referendum approved the project in 1960 with demolition within a few years. Westhaven (1961 referendum) was built to house the displaced residents. Vinegar Hill was a vacant lot throughout the ‘70s. The Omni Hotel was constructed with public funds in the early ‘80s.

In 1967 voters approved public housing for three sites: Garrett and Sixth, South First, and Ridge-Lane. Because of funding delays and court battles, these areas were not demolished until 1972. Clearance for Garrett Square occurred in 1977. Of these approved sites, only the First and Sixth St. projects are on a street where people thought they would be.

Also, I didn’t know that the renovation grant had been granted. I was concerned because the consideration process requires that the housing project be “in” a revitalization zone. On March 4, City Council said that Garrett Square “is” a revitalization zone. At the council meeting, apparently only Satyendra Huja, city planner when Garrett Square was built, did not know that the area had already been designated. To those with vivid memories of the neighborhood, revitalization sounded an awful lot like renewal. The re-designation seemed to indicate Council’s acknowledgement that this renewal project has not yet been successful.

The pre-renewal history of south downtown beginning in the early 1800s is vital to its revitalization. Historic value adds monetary value to a piece of land. An urban history trail should connect downtown to the Frank Ix building.

I hope Blake Caravati continues to show leadership on this issue of national importance. If ever there were a chance to heal a wound just by talking, now is that time.

Blair Hawkins
Posted and emailed 28 July 2002.
Printed 13 August 2002.

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