CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Rep. John McGuire wrote a letter to Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders urging him to delay the Sept. 1 opening the emergency homeless shelter at 2000 Holiday Dr., citing concerns of local business owners.

But the Republican who represents the 5th District did not address what to do about the Free Bridge homeless encampment, where deteriorating conditions have prompted public health and safety concerns from city officials and residents alike.

Delaying the opening of the shelter would likely lead to delaying clearing the encampment.

“Despite concerns from local businesses, the City is proceeding without adequately addressing key issues raised by business owners, employees, customers and hotel guests,” McGuire wrote in a letter dated Thursday and shared on the Congressperson’s Facebook page Saturday. “… The fundamental question is whether the City has fully assessed the potential public-safety and economic impacts of placing a large number of individuals at this location and whether sufficient safeguards and resources will be in place from day one.”

McGuire called the city’s response to business owners’ questions about public safety, security and sanitation “inadequate” and questioned whether having outdoor bathroom facilities open during the renovation would be damaging to local hotels and stores.

McGuire wrote that “improvements like lighting and a bus stop are helpful but do not address the fundamental questions from the business community.”

In his Saturday Facebook post, McGuire wrote, “I am confident the city can find a solution that priorities the safety of all citizens,” though he did not propose an alternative solution to the Free Bridge encampment, where about 100 unhoused people have been living in a makeshift camping ground. The city has dealt with crime, fires and general public health issues because of the encampment.

In October 2025, the city purchased the 3.8-acre property, including a two-story office building, at 2000 Holiday Dr. for the purpose of building a low-barrier homeless shelter on the site, one with wrap-around services to help deal with healthcare, job placement and training, addiction counseling and mental health issues.

After months of discussions and planning, it announced in July that it hoped to have the shelter open and the encampment cleared on or around Sept. 1. In August, the City Council allocated $4 million to support the shelter’s opening, including the hiring of an outside agency – Central Arizona Shelter Services – to staff the facility.

But businesses owners who operate locations in the area have expressed concern over the city’s temporary and long-term plans for the site and the impact it could have on their businesses. Questions, including whether or not camping will be allowed on the property, have some opposing the Sept. 1 opening.