Woolen Mills (factory)
The Woolen Mills factory began in 1830 as a combination wool, cotton, flour and lumber mill until it closed in 1962. [1]
The site will be the new home of WillowTree when renovations are completed in the middle of 2020. [2] [3]
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History
- Charles H. Dickinson Jr. served as superintendent from 1945 to 1959 when the mill was purchased by the Kent Manufacturing Conpany. He became general manager at that time. [4]
Redevelopment
Developer Brian Roy crafted and implemented plans to convert the site into a mixed-use development. To do so, he needed a rezoning from the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors as well an amendment of the County's Comprehensive Plan. [5]
Supervisors granted preliminary approval, but Roy needed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to agree to a revision of the flood map to allow the project to proceed. [6]
The Albemarle Planning Commission endorsed a rezoning and a steep slopes waiver in March 2017. [7] The Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning on May 10, 2017. [8] [9]
As part of the rezoning, Roy agreed to seven proffered conditions including the granting of space for a pedestrian bridge across Moores Creek, a plan to educate the public about the cultural resources of the Woolen Mills, to limit parking on the East Market Street side to 28 spaces, and a $10,000 contribution to the city of Charlottesville for "intersection striping or other improvements to roads and intersections within the Woolen Mills neighborhood." [10]
New tenants
Governor Ralph Northam announced the investment of $12.3 million to create new jobs at the site. That includes a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth Opportunity Fund and $1.5 million from a Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grant. Another incentive involves the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. [2]
The project will also include a 12,000 square foot event space, brewery and restaurant. [11]
Construction began in February 2019 and was being to wrap up as COVID-19 Emergency hit. The Board of Supervisors voted on May 20, 2020 to extend a deadline by which certain public infrastructure is to be provided from June 30 to September 30. [12]
References
- ↑ Print: Woolen Mills closing left a huge void in the town, David A. Maurer, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises 28 Aug 2011, Page .
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Web. Governor Northam Announces 200 New Jobs in Albemarle County, Albemarle County, Albemarle County, August 27, 2018, retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ↑ Web. Developer hopes to complete construction of Woolen Mills project by April, Annie Schroeder, News Article, NBC29, February 18, 2020, retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ↑ Web. Dickinson New Mill Manager; Reopening Near, Daily Progress Digitized Microfilm, Lindsay family, September 16, 1959, retrieved September 15, 2022. Print. September 16, 1959 page 5.
- ↑ Web. Albemarle supervisors ponder jobs versus homes in Woolen Mills project, Sean Tubbs, Charlottesville Tomorrow, retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ↑ Web. Couple launching business to get people and community onto Rivanna River, Charlottesville Tomorrow, April 2, 2016, retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Web. Woolen Mills redevelopment endorsed by Albemarle panel, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 25, 2017, retrieved December 28, 2017.
- ↑ Web. Woolen Mills revival project takes big step forward, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, May 11, 2017, retrieved December 29, 2017.
- ↑ Web. County of Albemarle, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Minutes, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Albemarle County, May 10, 2017, retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ↑ Web. Proffer Statement ZMA-2016-16, Brian Roy, Proffer Statement, April 27, 2017, retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ↑ Web. Brewery, event space, restaurant planned for Woolen Mills, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, April 28, 2019, retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ↑ Web. Woolen Mills project nears completion; Albemarle board agrees to another extension of agreement, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 21, 2020, retrieved May 24, 2020.