CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – City Council heard a report from an advisory committee on improvements to the Downtown Mall making it more viable and inclusive.
Deputy City Manager for Operations James Freas outlined a Downtown Mall Action Plan Monday afternoon that includes a better organization structure, improved programming, and better amenities. Freas said one of the recommendations is looking diversifying the use of the outdoor cafe spaces. He says these spaces “serve a lot of value in activating the mall”. But there was also “a fair amount of conversation” about using them differently, maybe used as open public seating when not in use by the restaurant… or available for leasing out for private events.

Other recommendations include incorporating fountains back into the interactive mall landscape and taking a look at lighting both aesthetically and for safety purposes. A recommendation also “creates a consistent presence of staff on the Mall to enhance cleanliness and safety for all users”.

There’s also the longstanding desire included for many of a public restroom facility “centrally located and convenient to Mall visitors”.

Click here for the link to the entire report.

City Councilor Natalie Oschrin joined the WINA Morning News to discuss the plan as well: