CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – They need an apology, and a place at the creative table, for Dairy Market neighbors to be okay with a Phase 2 and 3 expansion of the development. 10th & Page Neighborhood Association President Vizena Howard and Respect the Neighborhood Facilitator Zyahna Bryant told Charlottesville Right Now promises were made to residents in 10th & Page and Grady & Venable neighborhoods that have not been kept that were made before the current Dairy Market version was constructed.

Howard says, for instance, they were assured residents would be able to park on West Street with no problem. However, she says West Street residents are now crowded out with parkers at the facility, and vehicles can only go one at a time on the narrow street. She and Bryant both say Old Trinity Church was supposed to be available for neighborhood residents’ events, but tables and chairs have been removed and Howard says neighborhood residents would have to pay to hold anything there. She says they’re able to hold neighborhood association meetings in the Dairy Market building itself, but that’s it.

They also have a hard time with the proposed apartments which would not be realistically priced for residents in those neighborhoods if they wished to live there. Bryant says the going affordable housing rate is 60% AMI. However, with an average income in Charlottesville pretty high, Bryant says that’s still not affordable for those who live in 10th & Page and Grady & Venable. She says 30-to-40% is more reasonable for Section 8 and other affordable housing initiatives.