In many communities around America, non-profits like Habitat for Humanity play vital roles in the development of residential or public spaces and re-use of development parcels or lots in a complicated local landscape that need to be revitalized or altered for long-term use.
In Charlottesville, the organization is looking at changes to areas like the Southwood Mobile Home Park which would extend biking and walking trails down into urban areas to the south to Albermarle County’s Biscuit Run State Park. This is a welcomed change that would bring alternative transportation corridors through a wooded area toward Rt. 631/Old Lynchburg Rd. which feeds onto Interstate Rt. 64 and urban area directly above the highway. The project would be a great improvement because of the area’s proximity to downtown. For instance, the park and mobile home area are less than three miles from areas of the UVA campus.
Habitat for Humanity has owned the mobile home park since 2007 and has plans to replace hundreds of old mobile homes with new permanent housing. This will require re-zoning and other planning. Reports in CVille Tomorrow shows Habitat has invested a lot of money and staffing resources on the project, cleaning up areas and preparing for a big renovation around 2016.
Long-Term Results
Those arguing for this project contend that in the future, this network of trails could not only provide better recreation solutions for residents, but even boost the economy. Experts speak of it as a vital “transportation corridor” and a great resource for the community, for example, where some aspects of the trail system could deliver proximity to busy areas like the Charlottesville downtown mall.
Dealing with Big Community Changes
When something of this magnitude happens in the local area, nearby businesses often get involved.
Business leaders may look at changes in visibility for business locations, infrastructure needs such as parking, or ways to get involved and become partners in these kind of ambitious projects.
Through it all, Charlottesville business lawyers and other legal professionals provide vital support for this sort of planning. Local attorneys may advise their clients on aspects of public safety related to partnership work they do with either non-profits like Habitat for Humanity, or local government boards.
They may help the business expand strategically as these new projects come online, or they might provide assistance on all kinds of labor or volunteer issues related to how workers are deployed to participate in community projects or anything else beyond the normal scope of day-to-day business operations.
In Charlottesville, Virginia, MartinWren P.C. helps business clients expand and evolve along with the local community. We are excited about providing crucial legal support to local businesses as the downtown Charlottesville area continues to grow and feed the needs of the larger Albermarle County community. Talk to us about practical legal partnerships for the future.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form