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BAR approves Downtown Mall crossings repairs with conditions; seeks historic landscape input
Summary
The Board approved repairs to two Downtown Mall vehicle crossings at 4th Street E and 2nd Street W with conditions including continued soldier course to tactile strips, employment of a historic landscape architect, BAR review of material/color samples and a workmanship mock-up.
The Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review approved a City Parks & Recreation plan to repair and reconfigure vehicle crossings at 4th Street East and 2nd Street West on the Downtown Mall, imposing conditions to protect the mall’s historic character.
Parks & Rec Director Rian Anthony (S14) and the city’s engineer explained the plan calls for narrowing the vehicle travel lanes, installing thickened 4x8 herringbone brick pavers in the travel lane, carrying granite or color‑matched banding through the crossing, improving edge restraints and drainage, and providing sample panels for BAR approval. The aim is to reduce the stop/start vehicle damage that has degraded the existing crossings and to create a more durable, interlocked paving assembly.
BAR members asked for visible sample panels and a workmanship mock‑up, and recommended continuing the soldier course border up to tactile strips (but not across the vehicular lane) so that the crossings tie visually into adjacent paving. The board also required that a qualified historic landscape architect be involved in the design and that the BAR be included in final material and color selection.
The BAR motion found the design compatible with the Downtown Mall ADC district and approved the COA with the stated conditions.
What’s next: Parks & Rec will provide sample panels and a mock‑up for BAR review; procurement language will require contractors with experience in pedestrian brick paving systems.
