What are your thoughts on building a road through McIntire Park

If you are at all concerned about construction of a road through McIntire Park, you have until February 27, 2009 to send in comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding their granting a permit to allow this construction. The 'Legal Notices' section of the February 12, 2009 edition of the Daily Progress included the public notice copied below. The proposed road project will be constructed in the eastern portion of McIntire Park through part of the McIntire Golf Course and through some of the densely wooded area along the western side of Schenks Branch. If you haven't hiked through this area, I recommend you do so. And, send your thoughts on this proposed project to Kathy Perdue at the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers - the person coordinating the permit review. The address is at the end of the public notice.

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PUBLIC NOTICE
VDOT Project No. U000-104-V02, P101, PPMS 02529
McIntire Road, Extended
Charlottesville, Virginia

Notice is hereby given concerning coordination among the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (VA SHPO), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) regarding effects to historic properties that will occur as a result of the construction of McIntire Road, Extended, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The proposed project involves the construction of two 11-foot travel lanes, two 5-foot bike lanes and a 10-foot-wide enhanced pedestrian trail on new alignment. This new roadway begins 775 feet north of the Route 250 Bypass and runs north approximately 2100 feet to intersect with Melbourne Road. The city of Charlottesville is currently in the process of planning a separate interchange project at the intersection of the Route 250 Bypass and McIntire Road, which will connect the McIntire Road Extended project to the Bypass. As part of the project, a permit will be required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for one road crossing and one utility line crossing of a tributary to Schenks Branch.

In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16USC470), the U.S. Army Corps of engineers is required to take into account the effect of permitted actions on any district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places. A potentially eligible National Register of Historic Places property, McIntire Municipal Park, will be adversely affected by the construction of the new roadway. Contributing elements to the park which may be affected are: McIntire Golf Course, the Old Southern Railroad Bed, the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, and a Springhouse. The VA SHPO, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the VDOT are developing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), to address the adverse effects on this property and to determine treatments to mitigate the effects.

The Virginia Department of Transportation ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For additional information about this project, please contact Randy Lichtenberger, VDOT Preservation Program Coordinator, (434) 941-8488; or Kathy Perdue, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project manager, 201-7218. The hearing impaired can receive additional assistance by calling TTY 771.

Comments on the project must be submitted in writing to Kathy Perdue, Norfolk District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch, 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1096, and must be postmarked no later than 15 days from the date of this notice.

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photo sousrce: www.c-ville.com