Shaping up
On August 5, the Southwood community celebrated the dedication of Village 1, the first section of the resident-led redevelopment effort.
Charlottesville residents showed up in droves on a sweltering Saturday for the dedication ceremony, which highlighted those moving into the mixed-income village. Speakers included community development and nonprofit leaders, and local celebrities. Speeches were given in English and Spanish, with translation provided for those not fluent in English.
For both residents and project organizers, the dedication was a triumph. “It’s a huge accomplishment,” says Angela Guzman, communications and annual giving manager for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville. “But really, it’s about the families and the residents who’ve been here. And who’ve redesigned this community, this park that you’re standing in, they designed this and to be able to say that, and then to be able to say to other people, this is a new way of doing things, perhaps a better way.”
“It feels great to be a first time homebuyer and what we all had to do to become a first home buyer,” says Southwood resident Theresa Brock. After living in the community for more than 45 years, Brock is purchasing a home in Village 1 through HFH. “It’s just a dream come true.”
Although most of Village 1 is complete, HFH homeowners and renters can’t move in until key grants are received. “There are a number of Habitat homes that are finished, and we’re just waiting for that grant component to finish up before we can close,” says Dan Rosensweig, president of HFH of Greater Charlottesville. “But by the end of this calendar year, everybody who will live here will be in their homes.”
With a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, Rosensweig believes that Southwood “is going to be a neighborhood kind of unlike any other.”
Relocating resale
Nonprofit thrift store Twice is Nice announced on August 7 that it will be leaving its Preston Avenue location for a proposed new development on Cherry Avenue.
According to a press release, the move was “precipitated by ownership changes to the Preston properties, and the new landlord’s intention to redevelop those sites,” presumably referring to the Dairy Market expansion.
While the location of the nonprofit may be changing, TIN will continue to support local seniors in need with its “donation-based resale boutique.” By partnering with developer Woodard Properties, the shop will own its new location outright.
“We love the Preston Avenue neighborhood and our community of donors, shoppers, and volunteers, and we are excited to continue serving them in close proximity to our current locations,” says Gordon Walker, chairman of the TIN board of directors. “By owning our space and consolidating into a single, larger store, we’ll be able to offer our shoppers an even more rewarding, eclectic experience.”
In brief
Soul of Cville
The third annual Soul of Cville festival will be held August 11-13 at Ix Art Park. The family-friendly, free event celebrates Black excellence in central Virginia and will feature area talent and businesses, with highlights including live music and performances, food from local Black businesses, fashion shows, games, a skate event, a community mural project, and a panel discussion. WVAI 101.3 Jamz DJ Jaquan Middleton says, “Please come out and join us … for a weekend of love, peace, and soul.”
Dine and dash
If you see a 14-foot black trailer with the license plate 318429TM serving food, contact local authorities, because you’ve found Khadija’s Kitchen’s stolen food truck. Owner Khadija Hemmati says it was last seen at Seminole Square Shopping Center on July 27. The single mother from Afghanistan is currently raising funds on Instagram (@khadijas_kitchen_) to purchase new equipment so she can keep working.
Local leader honored
Daniel Fairley, president of 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, has been selected for the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program. In an August 1 press release, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia said Fairley, who was chosen for the inaugural class of the program from thousands of applicants, was honored “for his unwavering dedication to serving boys and men of color in the Charlottesville community.” Beyond his work with 100BM, Fairley serves as a corporate board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia and is a founding member of the University of Virginia Equity Center.
Pet project
On August 3, the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA announced it hired Outcomes for Pets Consulting to improve its shelter operations. Leading the effort will be Kristen Hassen, whose plans to help the shelter include surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews. Part of Hassen’s time will also be devoted to mentoring leadership on “pathway planning practices, organizational culture, volunteer and foster program best practices, and shelter operations,” according to a CASPCA press release.