County of Albemarle

Friday, September 13 is the start of Welcoming Greater Charlottesville's Welcoming Week (September 13-22, 2024). This annual celebration of our community's diverse residents takes place each September. It includes 20+ events such as film screenings, health screenings, poetry readings, celebrations/festivals of various cultures, children’s programs, cooking lessons, panel discussions and more.

Learn more from our partners at Welcoming Greater Charlottesville and view other Welcoming Week 2024 (September 13-22) events happening now and in the coming days. >>>https://www.wgcville.org/welcoming-week-2024.

starts today! We have a phenomenal line up of events to celebrate the welcoming season here in Charlottesville. Head over to our calendar to learn more! https://www.wgcville.org/welcoming-week-2024
International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville, Brooks Family YMCA, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, Sin Barreras VA,

Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) operates a limited household hazardous waste collection site at the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) location. This fall, upcoming 2024 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Bulky Waste Days for the residents of Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville and Town of Scottsville can bring specific hazardous waste items to the RSWA Ivy Materials Utilization Center, from 9 am - 2pm on Friday, September 20-Saturday, September 21.

Electronic Waste Collection Day (for residents of Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville only) at Ivy MUC is Saturday, September 14 from 9 am – 3-pm and requires pre-registration here >>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/980073685777?aff=oddtdtcreator.

2024 Bulky Waste Amnesty Days will be held on the following Saturday dates from 8:30am-4pm, September 28, October 5, and October 12.

Learn more about which specific items are accepted for each date from our partners Albemarle County Service Authority or visit >>> https://www.rivanna.org/hhw/. Amnesty Days are available only to residents of Albemarle County, Charlottesville and Town of Scottsville.

Do you need to safely dispose of hazardous waste or household items? Fear not: Rivanna Authorities (RWSA) will host its fall Special Collections Events at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center (4576 Dick Woods Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903). ♻

Dates/times are as follows:
🔋 Electronic Waste: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 9am- 3pm
⚠ Household Hazardous Waste: Friday, September 20, 2024, 9am-3pm and Saturday, September 21, 2024 9am-3pm
🪑 Furniture/Mattresses: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 8:30am-4pm
🔩 Appliances: Saturday, October 5, 2024, 8:30am-4pm
🚗 Tires (Max. 12): Saturday, October 12, 2024, 8:30am-4pm

For additional information, please contact Betsy Nemeth at 434-977-2970 (ext.111).

Coming Soon: Join us for the 2024 ACPR Fall Festival and celebrate the fall with flair. Save the date, October 12, 2024!

🎃 Free Trunk or Treat & Games from 4:30-6 pm 🎃 Halloween Skate Night and Prize Raffle from 6-8 pm* (*$5 pp to skate 🛼; $2 pp to attend; Parents with child are FREE. Cash only at the door.)

🍂 Bring your family, friends, and celebrate the season with us at the Greenwood Community Center, in Crozet! Enjoy an evening filled with music, games, a prize raffle between 6-8 pm, and so much more. Costumes are encouraged, and don't miss the chance to Touch-a-Truck from Albemarle County Fire Rescue’s fleet! Parents/guardians are required to always be present with their child(ren).

📅 No registration is required. Visit our Facebook event page > https://www.facebook.com/events/1197648734879384 for updates or to let us know you're coming. Let’s make this fall unforgettable together. Hope to see you there! 🍂✨

Parks and Recreation: 2024 Fall Festival | County Calendar | Albemarle County, VA Parks and Recreation is hosting Fall Festival at Greenwood Community Center, in Crozet on Saturday, October 12. The free Trunk or Treat & Games is from 4:30-6 pm and there is a cost for the Halloween Skate Night and Prize Raffle that takes place from 6-8 pm for $5 per person to skate; $2 per person...

Military-affiliated families: 2024 Seas the Day Veterans’ Outdoor Day will take place at Walnut Creek Park on Sunday, September 22, from 12 pm -3 pm. This is a great event for military-affiliated families hosted by the West Point Society of Monticello, who partnered with Albemarle County Parks and Recreation to sponsor the event.

Outdoor activities at the event will include water activities, spin and fly-fishing instruction, a bounce house, games for children, demonstrations, a 'Touch the Truck' display, and local business organizations that support and provide opportunities to veterans will be on-site. County staff will also be on-site with outreach materials and more community resources!

The event will also feature a picnic catered by Mission BBQ, live music and raffles for gift cards. Seas the Day provides an opportunity to come together, celebrate and seas the day. Registration is required to attend. To learn more and register online >>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cville-seas-the-day-2024-registration-871489637967.

CVille Seas the Day 2024 2024 Seas the Day event! FREE event for all veterans, active-duty military of all Services, active/inactive Reserve and Guard & families.

Albemarle County offices will be closed today, Monday, September 2, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Public safety departments will operate as usual. Offices will reopen Tuesday, September 3, 2024 on a regular schedule.

🏊‍♀️🌅 Dive into summer one last time! This weekend is your final chance to splash, relax, and enjoy the lake before it’s time to say goodbye for the season. Bring your friends, family, and floaties for an epic end-of-season celebration! Cool down with us. 😎 🎉

>>> Summer Swim Hours Update:
-Chris Greene Lake Park and Mint Springs Valley Park swimming beaches will be open for summer swim, Saturday, August 31 - Monday, September 2 from 10 am - 6 pm. Chris Greene and Mint Springs lakes will be open on Monday for Labor Day from 10 am – 6 pm.

⚠Reminder for Walnut Creek Park swimming beach: Due to staffing, Walnut Creek swimming beach will be closed for the remainder of swim season and will not be open for swimming. Walnut Creek Park will still be open with no entry fees, but the swimming beaches there will be closed. The Walnut Creek swimming beach will NOT be open on September 2, Labor Day.

Fees for Albemarle County residents are $3 for adults, $2 for children (ages 4-12), and free for swimmers under 4 and over 62. Fees for non-Albemarle County residents are $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 4-12), and free for swimmers under 4. All fees are cash or check only. Come on out and enjoy the last weekend of summer swim with us! ⛱️☀️

🛟Chris Greene Lake Park and Mint Springs Valley Park swimming beaches will be open for the remainder of summer swim season this Saturday and Sunday (August 24-25) from 10 am – 6pm and these swimming beaches will also be open, Saturday, August 31 - Monday, September 2 from 10 am-6 pm. Chris Greene and Mint Springs beaches will be open on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day from 10 am – 6 pm.

⚠️Walnut Creek Park swimming beach update: ⚠️ Due to staffing, Walnut Creek swimming beach will be closed for the remainder of swim season and will not be open for swimming. Walnut Creek Park will still be open, but the swimming beaches there will be closed. We appreciate our awesome community and hope you’ve had a great time enjoying the outside with us!

💲Fees for Albemarle County residents are $3 for adults, $2 for children (ages 4-12), and free for swimmers under 4 and over 62. Fees for non-Albemarle County residents are $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 4-12), and free for swimmers under 4. All fees are cash or check only. 😎⛱️☀️

We're excited to announce a partnership between Albemarle County and Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. to revitalize the former Sears site at Fashion Square Mall. This public-private collaboration is a key step in our long-term vision for the Rio29 area, transforming it into a vibrant urban hub.

Together, we're investing in our community's future, with Home Depot bringing over $26 million in redevelopment and new job opportunities. Plus, this partnership ensures important infrastructure improvements like the Hillsdale Drive realignment, with Home Depot committing to transfer the necessary right of way.

🔗 Learn more at https://www.albemarle.org/Home/Components/News/News/933/1681

🌊 Dive into Some Summer Fun at one of our Swimming Beaches 🌞💦

Hey everyone! 🌟 Looking to beat the heat this summer? Join us at one at one of our swimming beaches at Chris Greene Lake Park, Walnut Creek Park or Mint Springs Valley Park for a splashing good time! Whether you want to swim or just want to lounge by the water, there's something for everyone:

🏊‍♂️ Cool waters perfect for swimming
🛟Lifeguards on duty, to keep everyone safe
🌳 Scenic nearby trails for a leisurely stroll
🌅 Breathtaking views of our beautiful county
🛶Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals at Walnut creek and Chris Greene

We’re open this summer 7 days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm - through August 18. After August 18, we will transition to being open only on weekends until Labor Day, September 2.

What are you waiting for? Bring your friends, family, swimsuits, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure! Tag your friends and let's make this summer unforgettable. See you there! 😎👙☀️

On Saturday, August 17, we'll be participating in the Soul of Cville from 3-8 pm, which is a free event with family festivities, recognizing black culture in City of Charlottesville/Albemarle County that invites you to come and to get to know your neighbors, engage in arts, culture and activities and open for all to attend, it’s a great opportunity that invites local partners/businesses in connection to the event mission. Come engage with staff from the County and we hope to see you there!

Learn more about the Soul of Cville >>https://www.ixartpark.org/soul-of-cville

🔔Mint Springs Valley Park and Swimming Beach Will Resume Normal Operating Hours on August 14🔔

Repairs have been completed on the culvert pipe and pavement at the main entrance to Mint Springs Valley Park. Normal operating hours for the park will resume on Wednesday, August 14 from 7 am to dark.

Normal operating hours for the Mint Springs Valley Park swimming beach will also resume tomorrow on August 14, 7-days a week from 10 am – 6 pm - through August 18. After August 18, we will transition all swimming beaches to being open only on weekends until Labor Day, September 2. View additional information on fees and more >>> https://www.albemarle.org/government/parks-recreation/parks/swimming.

Thank you for your patience.

Chris Greene Lake Park and Walnut Creek Park swimming beaches are now open and available for swimming 7 days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm - through August 18. After August 18, we will transition to being open only on weekends until Labor Day, September 2. View additional information on fees and more >>> https://www.albemarle.org/government/parks-recreation/parks/swimming.

⭐ As a reminder, Mint Springs Valley Park will be closed until further notice due to a failed culvert pipe breaking through pavement at the main entrance at the park. No park entry is permitted at Mint Springs Valley Park at this time and we appreciate your cooperation. ⭐

UPDATE 8/13/2024:

Mint Springs Valley Park and Swimming Beach Will Resume Normal Operating Hours on August 14

Repairs have been completed on the culvert pipe and pavement at the main entrance to Mint Springs Valley Park. Normal operating hours for the park will resume on Wednesday, August 14 from 7 am to dark.

Normal operating hours for the Mint Springs Valley Park swimming beach will also resume tomorrow on August 14, 7-days a week from 10 am – 6 pm - through August 18. After August 18, we will transition all swimming beaches to being open only on weekends until Labor Day, September 2.

Thank you for your patience!
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Mint Springs Valley Park will be closed until further notice due to a failed culvert breaking through pavement at the main entrance of the park. No park entry is permitted at this time.

As a reminder, all swimming beaches at Albemarle County Parks are closed on August 9 due to inclement weather.

Due to hazardous road conditions with a few flooded areas and downed trees this morning, the Albemarle County Office Buildings will open at 10 am on Friday, August 9.

The Yancey Community Center is experiencing a power outage and will be closed until further notice.

The swimming beaches at Chris Greene Lake Park, Walnut Creek Park, and Mint Springs Valley Park will be closed for swimming due to inclement weather.

Also, Mint Springs Valley Park will be closed until further notice due to a failed culvert breaking through pavement at the main entrance at the park. No park entry is permitted at this time at Mint Springs Valley Park and we appreciate your cooperation.

Public safety departments will operate as usual.

Stay safe, Albemarle and prepare yourself and your home for severe weather expected in our area between Thursday night, August 8 and Saturday morning from Tropical Storm Debby. Read this email for more information and safety tips: https://conta.cc/4ch8nzh.

As Tropical Storm Debby approaches, we urge everyone to stay safe and heed the warnings. Remember, your car is not designed to navigate through floodwaters. 🚨 Turn around, don’t drown. 🚨

Update from our partners at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Albemarle County has officially received primary natural disaster designation status by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to drought conditions this season. Producers in the county are eligible for Emergency Loans through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), as well as the Livestock Forage Program (LFP).

Farmers: 15 localities have received primary natural disaster designations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to drought conditions this season. Farmers in these localities and others that are contiguous are now eligible for certain USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans.

Primary designation localities are: Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Highland, Loudoun, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and the city of Waynesboro.

Contiguous localities include: Bath, Culpeper, Buckingham, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Orange, Louisa, Nelson, Stafford, Prince William, and Rockbridge counties and the cities of Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Wi******er.

Farmers can find more information on available assistance programs and the application process on the Virginia FSA State Office website: https://ow.ly/b5z450SNJlz

https://ow.ly/xXbl50SNJlt

The water awaits you… 🏊😎 come cool off from the warm weather at one of our swimming beaches at Chris Green Lake Park, Walnut Creek Park and Mint Springs Valley Park.

Our regular operating hours this summer are 7 days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm through August 18. After August 18, we will transition to being open only on weekends until Labor Day, September 2.

🎉 Early Out Alert for Wednesday, August 7! 🎉 We're hitting the pause button early tomorrow, August 7 to give a big shoutout to our amazing staff at all swimming lakes! 🏆 We're closing up shop early to celebrate and recognize the fantastic work our staff does for employee recognition, so will be operating from 10 am to 4 pm this day at all three swimming beaches. Thanks as well to you, Our Community, for being awesome—we’ll see you again Thursday, August 8 refreshed and recharged when our regular operating hours resume! 💪🌟

Want to get CPR certified this summer? Here’s your chance! Albemarle County Parks and Recreation is offering a fall CPR certification course at Greenwood Community Center in Crozet! Learn adult, infant and child CPR and master the necessary skills to possibly assist in the event of an emergency until advanced help arrives. The 3.5-hour course takes place on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 5:30 pm and is $75 per person.

⭐⭐Don't delay registration, as there are only a few spots left and they fill quickly! View more information about the course, register online today >>> https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/albemarlecountyrec/activity/search/detail/2195?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true.

Introduction to C-PACE: Financing to Help You Invest in Better Buildings and Improve Our Community

Albemarle County’s Environmental Services Division and Economic Development Office invite you to a webinar on Wednesday, July 31 at noon to learn more about Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), a powerful financing tool that pays for up to 100% of a wide variety of commercial building improvements, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and stormwater management.

C-PACE is currently available in Albemarle County. New and existing commercial buildings are eligible, including multifamily residential of 5+ units.

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our community, and C-PACE is an innovative way to help the private sector lead the way. This webinar will provide an overview of the C-PACE program for commercial property owners, developers, and lenders in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area.

Featured speakers include:
o Abby Johnson, Executive Director, Virginia PACE Authority, program administrator for the Virginia statewide C-PACE program
o Jason Schwartzburg, President, MD Energy Advisors, registered capital provider for the VA PACE program
o Gabe Dayley, Climate Protection Program Manager, Albemarle County
Want to learn more in advance? Register now via the registration link on our County Calendar >>> https://www.albemarle.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/5078/16.

**UPDATE, 7/29/24**

The Whole Foods entrance along Hydraulic Rd has been reopened.
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Update from our partners at Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): the Whole Foods Market on Route 743 (Hydraulic Road) in the city of Charlottesville asked a contractor with the Virginia Department of Transportation to close the south entrance today, 7/24/2024 after a transformer supplying power to the business malfunctioned.

Dominion Energy crews need the area to deliver and install a new transformer.

During the temporary closure, customers may continue to use the north entrance off Hillsdale Drive to access the Whole Foods Market parking lot. Drivers approaching from the south, via Hydraulic Road, will now bypass Hydraulic Road and continue west on U.S. 250 (250 Bypass), then turn north on U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North).

After Dominion crews complete the transformer work, the south entrance to Whole Foods Market will reopen.

The Hydraulic Road and Hillsdale Drive intersection is currently closed while the contractor reconfigures the junction into a roundabout. As a reminder, the newly designed intersection is expected to open on August 13.

For more information on the bundle of projects, please visit >>>www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/culpeper-district/hydraulic-road-and-us-29-transportation-improvements/.

Reminder: Restructured Fee Schedule is now effective as of July 1, 2024

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors approved a restructured fee schedule for all Community Development Department (CDD) fees. The unified fee schedule became Chapter 1, Section 500 of the Albemarle County Code. The new fee schedule took effect on July 1, 2024.

In case you missed it, you can view the new fee schedule here. >> https://www.albemarle.org/home/showdocument?id=22001&t=638497222315390320.

As a reminder, please use the new fee schedule to calculate fees when submitting via our two digital methods:

• Submit via the applications portal using Camino
• Upload applications you’ve already completed through the Digital Submissions Option

Still have questions? Email [email protected] or call 434-296-5832 to schedule an appointment.

www.albemarle.org

The annual Back to School Bash is happening on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Ting Pavilion. Free school supplies and backpacks will be given to students registered in Charlottesville City or Albemarle County Public Schools, while they last. A parent or guardian needs to be present with their child(ren) to receive the supplies.

Come visit our local government engagement team and learn about how you can Get Engaged in our community as we head into a new school year! Learn more about the event >> https://www.cognitoforms.com/DSID1/_2024CharlottesvilleAlbemarleBackToSchoolBashPreRegistration.

Again this summer, Albemarle County Public Schools and Charlottesville City Schools are joining forces with several community organizations to provide free school supplies and backpacks to students! We hope you can join us for our annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ting Pavilion in Downtown Charlottesville.

Supplies are limited. Pre-register each student who will pick up items at the Back to School Bash today! Pre-registration is not required, but students who are pre-registered will receive priority as we hand out supplies. Please note that a parent or guardian must also be present.

Preregister here: tinyurl.com/mt9bhhpx

Update 6/13/24: These lifeguard positions have now been filled and we thank you for your interest in applying. Don't forget to visit albemarle.org/parks to learn about our awesome summer swim season, happening now. We hope to see you there!
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🏊‍♀️🌞🛟Calling all lifeguards: Still looking for a summer job, we have a few lifeguard job openings available at Chris Greene Lake. If you want to spend your summer outside, this is the job for you! Positions start at $16 an hour, with opportunities up to 40 hours a week. ⭐There’s an employment bonus available! ⭐ Albemarle County Parks and Recreation is committed to providing the community safe and secure recreational opportunities and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

🛟Don’t delay, as there are only a few open lifeguard positions left and the application deadline is Monday, June 17 (very soon!) 🛟Learn more and apply at Albemarle.org/Parks or apply here➡️ https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=4df55b5e-b4a5-403f-9092-dacc9436e865&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=503955&lang=en_US.

Attention drivers on Route 20! Work continues as we prepare to open Biscuit Run Park to the public this fall! In the coming weeks, expect work alongside Route 20 and within the VDOT right of way. You may experience intermittent lane closures, lane shifts, shoulder closures, and flagging on Route 20. Additional signage, barrels, and cones will be present to guide traffic. Major shutdowns or detours are NOT anticipated. Please slow down and provide space for the crews working in the area.

Clarification of Real Estate Tax Bills Amount Due

We would like to make you aware of a printing error on the first half real estate tax bills recently mailed out. Due to a file formatting error during the printing process, the amount due is incorrectly listed as the full year’s tax amount instead of the first half amount on the payment stub at the bottom of the bill and in the top right corner of the billing statement. Unfortunately, this error was missed during the final proof approval.

The body of the bill correctly lists the amounts due for the first and second halves, along with their respective due dates. This post image is a sample of the original bill.

Taxpayers can expect a corrected real estate tax bill via mail. If you have already paid, the updated real estate tax bill being mailed will be for reference.

⭐What You Need to Know: ⭐
>>> Location of the Correct Amount Due: The amount due on June 25 is the first half tax amount listed on the body portion of the bill.

>>>Online Bills Are Correct: This issue only affects printed bills. E-bills, kiosk payments, and escrow accounts sent to financial institutions reflect the correct total.

>>>Personal Property Tax Bills Were Not Impacted: This printing error only affected real estate tax bills, not personal property tax bills.

>>>Getting a Corrected Bill: Taxpayers can expect a corrected real estate tax bill via mail. You can also register for an e-billing account that has the properly formatted bills available online.

We apologize for any confusion this may cause and appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions, or would like assistance, visit www.Albemarle.org/finance or contact the Department of Finance and Budget at [email protected], or call (434) 296-5851. Offices are open Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm.