May 15, 2026
I had the opportunity sit in on a zoom this morning where Joe Fore and Lee Cilimberg updated some Charlottesville Realtors on the state of the Downtown Crozet Initiative.
I was a few minutes late, but caught most of the meeting.
Short takeaways:
- Road network is out for bid (I’ve asked VDOT to see the plans and bids as the plans weren’t available during the meeting; I’ll FOIA if I don’t see them soon)
- Crozet Plaza fundraising is under way
- Wayfinding (signage) for downtown Crozet look interesting; they asked to not publish that slide as the signs aren’t ready for primetime. Seeing all the Downtown Crozet signage makes me think Crozet should incorporate.
Notes taken with Granola AI
(this is the first time I’ve used this tool in this manner; I think it’s useful)
Crozet Plaza Development Project
- Major redevelopment of former Barnes lumber yard property
- Barnes lumber operated sawmill for decades, shut down early-mid 2000s
- Property has been abandoned/derelict since closure
- Public-private partnership structure
- Developer (CNTA/Milestone Farmers/Crozet Newtown Associates) donating plaza land to county
- County will own plaza as public park
- Downtown Crozet Initiative (DCI) raising funds and managing programming
- Phase 1 infrastructure already complete
- New streetscape, paving, parking lots, sidewalks, ADA accessibility
- Square Library Avenue, Oak Street improvements around Piedmont Place
- New entrance/exit by Mudhouse on Crozet Avenue
Plaza Design & Features
- Central lawn with concert pavilion and amphitheater seating
- Timber/wood materials reflecting lumber yard history
- Granite elements reflecting Piedmont location
- Railroad Promenade (west side)
- Pergolas, table seating, string lights
- Train-themed design honoring Claudius Crozet heritage
- Family areas on north/south sides
- Rockfish Gap Play yard (north)
- Train-themed play spaces
- Natural boulder climbing areas
- Splash pad water feature (natural stream design)
- Orchard Grove (south)
- Climbing boulders for older kids
- Shade trees, Adirondack chairs
- Passive sitting area
- Rockfish Gap Play yard (north)
- Blue Ridge botanical garden (east side)
- Native Blue Ridge plants and shrubs
- Quiet reading/reflection space
Project Timeline & Funding
- Road network construction currently out for bid
- VDOT approval finally secured after speed limit negotiations
- Construction must complete before vertical building begins
- DCI fundraising progress
- Goal: $1.5 million for plaza amenities
- Current status: 1/3 complete through private donations
- Moving to public campaign phase in next 6-12 months
- Construction sequence: roads ? mixed-use buildings/hotel ? plaza completion
Wayfinding Signage Initiative
- $15,000 Virginia Main Street grant secured for signage plan
- Two-day on-site consultation completed with national experts
- Design concepts incorporate Crozet elements
- Blue Ridge mountains, railroad heritage, natural materials
- Harmonious with existing octagonal street lights
- Fonts matching welcome mural style
- Implementation timeline: after plaza completion to guide visitors to new amenities
