Location Selection and Traffic Concerns

This section deals with the effects of the Main Event on traffic and parking around Charlottesville. In specific, this page looks at the exact location of the proposed main event, how traffic and busses will be rerouted and how parking will be accomodated.

Location:
The most important component in determining the location for “the Main Event” is that the street be relatively flat.  This is important because this event is encouraging walking, biking and roller-blading which are generally more enjoyable on flat topography for all levels of fitness.  Another concern is that the street should connect a variety of social groups.  West Main Street, between UVA and the downtown mall is the one stretch of road in Charlottesville that can meet both these objectives.  Other routes that were suggested, such as Preston avenue were rejected because of the steep slopes.   The exact starting and end points were ultimately decided based on traffic concerns and result in a stretch of approximately ¾ of a mile.  (See image 1, vehicle barricades in black)

Rerouting Traffic:
A main obstacle in successfully creating this event is allowing traffic to flow smoothly even when the “Main Event” is in progress.  Because West Main street is a major thoroughfare, there were a lot of concerns related to traffic.  Ultimately, it was decided that starting the event after the intersection of JPA was important so that the hospital could be more easily accessed.  In addition the 9th/10th street connector will be the only street with traffic allowed to cross main street during the event.  The other end of the project starts before the intersection of West Main and Ridge, to allow traffic to flow more freely through this intersection.  Vehicles that intended to use West Main Street as a throughway, including ambulances, would be directed to take Cherry avenue, or Preston avenue as a parallel route. 

Rerouting CTS:
CTS route 7 and the Trolley are the two public transit services that operate on Sundays during the event.  Both use the portion of West Main that would be closed to traffic and therefore these routes would have to be rerouted. The routes would use Cherry avenue and Preston to bypass West Main, both crossing it at the 9th/10th street connector.  (See image 2)

Parking:
The City of Charlottesville has expressed a desire for a pedestrian awareness and promotion project or campaign.  We are planning on improving physical, mental and social health through: walking and rolling on Main Street, connecting Charlottesville communities, and enabling pedestrians to reclaim the streets.  Several thousand Charlottesville residents and Albemarle County residents are expected to attend the Main Event and therefore, a need for parking accommodations is necessary. 

Downtown Parking:

• The Charlottesville Parking Center maintains two garages and one lot in the Downtown area.  These include the Market Street Parking Garage and the Water Street Parking Garage and Lot. 
• There are 1800 spaces maintained by the parking center and it costs $2.00/hour with a $16.00 a day max. 
• In addition to these spaces there are about 2000 on and off street parking spots located throughout the Downtown area. 
• The Charlottesville Parking Center provides all businesses downtown with the opportunity to provide their customers and clients with free parking privileges at their two facilities, the Market Street Parking Garage and the Water Street Parking Garage.

Parking along West Main Street:  

• The Corner Parking Lot and the 14th Street Garage.  Between the two parking facilities there are about one hundred spaces for use on Sunday afternoon. 

University of Virginia Parking:

• The University maintains the Central Grounds Garage located on Emmet Street which contains 401 spaces and $0.60 per hour all day for use by the public.  The Central Grounds Garage is maintained by the Facilities, Garage, and Meter Operations of UVA.   
• Parking for patients and visitors to the University Hospital is located on Lee Street across from the Primary Care Center and Emergency Department.  The two garages combine for 770 spaces reserved for patients and visitors.  There is additional patient parking off Jefferson Park Avenue just outside the entrance to the West Complex.  There is also parking along Hospital Drive.  The first hour of parking is free and all additional hours are $4.00 per hour.