City Council Vision

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The City Council Vision is a strategic blueprint that provides overall direction to the operations of Charlottesville city government. Decisions made by Council usually evoke specific directives in the most recent vision, which envisions what public policy goals Council seeks to accomplish by 2025. The document title is Charlottesville: A Great Place to Live for All of Our Citizens[1].

Vision

  • A leader in innovation, environmental sustainability, and social and economic justice
  • Flexible and progressive in anticipating and responding to the needs of our citizens
  • Cultural and creative capital of Central Virginia

Strategic Goals

Economic Sustainability

Our community has an effective workforce development system that leverages the resources of the University of Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College, and our excellent schools to provide ongoing training and educational opportunities to our residents. We have a business-friendly environment in which employers provide well-paying, career-ladder jobs and residents have access to small business opportunities. The Downtown Mall, as the economic hub of the region, features arts and entertainment, shopping, dining, cultural events, and a vibrant City Market. The City has facilitated significant mixed and infill development within the City.

A Center for Lifelong Learning

In Charlottesville, the strength of our education is measured not by the achievements of our best students, but by the successes of all our students. Here, an affordable, quality education is cherished as a fundamental right, and the community, City schools, Piedmont Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia work together to create an environment in which all students and indeed all citizens have the opportunity to reach their full potential. In 2001, City Council established the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program, endowing it with $250,000 in surplus funds, managed by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation and an all-volunteer board. When the board doubled the endowment, it was able to then grant scholarships to Charlottesville City School graduates who are city residents and to city employees to continue their postsecondary education.

Quality Housing Opportunities for All

Our neighborhoods retain a core historic fabric while offering housing that is affordable and attainable for people of all income levels, life stages, and abilities. Our neighborhoods feature a variety of housing types, including higher density, pedestrian and transit-oriented housing at employment and cultural centers. We have revitalized public housing neighborhoods that include a mixture of income and housing types and enhanced community amenities. Our housing stock is connected with recreation facilities, parks, trails, and services.

C’ville Arts and Culture

Our community has world-class performing, visual, and literary arts reflective of the unique character, culture, and diversity of Charlottesville. Charlottesville cherishes and builds programming around the evolving research and interpretation of our historic heritage and resources. Through City partnerships and promotion of festivals, venues, and events, all have an opportunity to be a part of this thriving arts, cultural, and entertainment scene.

A Green City

Charlottesville citizens live in a community with a vibrant urban forest, tree-lined streets, and lush green neighborhoods. We have an extensive natural trail system, along with healthy rivers and streams. We have clean air and water, we emphasize recycling and reuse, and we minimize storm-water runoff. Our homes and buildings are sustainably designed and energy efficient.

America’s Healthiest City

All residents have access to high-quality health care services. We have a community-wide commitment to personal fitness and wellness, and all residents enjoy our outstanding recreational facilities, walking trails, and safe routes to schools. We have a strong support system in place for families and for the elderly and disabled. Our emergency response system is among the nation’s best.

A Connected Community

The City of Charlottesville is part of a comprehensive, regional transportation system that enables citizens of all ages and incomes to easily navigate our community. An efficient and convenient transit system supports mixed use development along our commercial corridors, while bike and pedestrian trail systems, sidewalks, and crosswalks enhance our residential neighborhoods. A regional network of connector roads helps to ensure that residential neighborhood streets remain safe and are not overburdened with cut-through traffic.

Smart, Citizen-Focused Government

The delivery of quality services is at the heart of Charlottesville’s social compact with its citizens. Charlottesville’s approach to customer service ensures that we have safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and a clean environment. We continually work to employ the optimal means of delivering services, and our decisions are informed at every stage by effective communication and active citizen involvement.

Key Performance Indicators

Notes

  1. "Charlottesville : City Council Vision Statement." Charlottesville : Home. Web. 02 Feb. 2010. <http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=1750>.