Charlottesville has long had a population of people living on the streets and in parks, but this summer the situation was even more visible, with an encampment of as many as 70 tents along the Rivanna River. After reports of two alleged rapes, the death of one resident and a tent burning down, the city has stepped in, and there’s a flurry of activity.
Charlottesville had already purchased a vacant office building along the 250 bypass with plans to create an overnight shelter, but renovations were expected to cost $8.6 million and had not begun. Last night, assistant city manager Samuel Roman told city council it would quickly be converted into an emergency residence.
“We are actually shooting for September first. That is our goal,” he said. “We are working feverishly to try to make that happen, and at this point we are optimistic.”…