PLACE Design Task Force Minutes
September 12, 2019 ‐ 12:00‐ 2:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Services
Conference Room, 2nd Floor City Hall

Members Present: Mike Stoneking, Lena Seville, Rachel Lloyd, Rory Stolzenberg, Andrea Trimble, Mark
Rylander, Cliff Fox, Navarre Bartz, Andrew Mondeschein, Susan Perkins, Emily Wright
Staff Present: Alex Ikefuna, Jeff Werner, Robert Watkins, Carrie Rainey


CALL TO ORDER

Mike Stoneking called the PLACE Design Task Force Meeting to order.


1. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC

   None.


2. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

   Gennie Keller, Rob McGinnis, and Laura Knott were introduced as guests.


3. DOWNTOWN MALL CROSSING DISCUSSION

   The group discussed other cities with successful and unsuccessful pedestrian malls (including those also by
   Lawrence Halprin). Examples include Boulder, CO, which was designed by Halprin and includes no crossings
   but the mall terminates in streets on either end, unlike in Charlottesville.

   The group discussed installing bollards, and the potential expense, or large planters to visually mark vehicular
   boundaries of crossings.

   The group discussed the need for Charlottesville to have wayfinding for mall. People stand at the
   Ridge/Water/South/Main streets intersection and can’t find the mall.



4. CULTURAL LANDSCAPE REPORT DISCUSSION

   The group reached a consensus that before discussion of specific ideas for mall design and programming
   could take place, it is necessary to consider the mall as a historic landscape.

   There was a consensus that a holistic study and plan for mall (with integrated programmatic requirements of
   many different interests involved) are necessary.

   It was noted the PLACE committee wrote a scope for a cultural landscape report two (2) years ago.



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   Jeff Werner noted $50,000 has been allocated for the cultural landscape report, effective July 1, 2018, and
   combined with $100,000 designated for a Parks & Recreation management plan to fund a joint
   comprehensive plan.

   It was noted the mall is significant not just as‐built, but as a master plan. The group discussed whether
   Halprin’s master plan can continue to inform design changes now.

   There was a consensus that a comprehensive plan necessary to avoid thousands of little cuts into the integrity
   of cultural landscape through maintenance practices, ensuring maintenance as preservation. The plan should
   alert City Council of the necessary investments to the mall.

   The group agreed it is critical for qualified consultants to prepare the report; that the project should not be
   advertised in the “lowest bidder” procurement process.

   The group agreed to draft a memorandum of opinion regarding the RFP (request for proposals) to provide the
   City at a later date.



5. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC

   None.




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