The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commissioners and Staff invite you to our Open House on Friday, October 20th from 12:00pm – 2:00pm or from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. This is a unique opportunity to see how our many programs and projects focus on sustainable solutions to regional issues. Established in 1972, the TJPDC has had a history of working to bring community partners together. Since 1998, with the adoption of the Sustainability Accords, TJPDC has relied on these guiding principles to direct its works.

Guests will have the opportunity to see how our work focuses on sustainable solutions to regional issues, talk with staff, and enjoy refreshments. TJPDC Commissioners and Staff and partners will be on hand to talk about the many programs and projects they are involved in. 

Work highlighted in our Annual Report 2006 will be on hand. Be sure to pick up your copy of the report in the October 12th editions of The Central Virginian, Greene County Record, and Nelson County Times and the October 16th edition of The Daily Progress. We also have copies available at the TJPDC office and at various locations throughout the region.

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This summer, both the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County signed Resolutions of Intent to Establish a Regional Transit Authority in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Area. In September, the MPO Policy Board endorsed a Regional Transit Vision: The Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority will provide fast, frequent, dependable, and seamless transit service throughout the area. The vision document also details the goals and working methods through which regional transit service can be achieved. The Vision Statement, as endorsed, is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/index.asp. For more information, contact Kellem Emanuele at kemanuele@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 260.

The Piedmont Workforce Network (PWN) has launched a new web site.  The new site is designed with the customer in mind. The Home page contains large graphical buttons to direct employers and job seekers to the appropriate sections. All of the information of interest to partners of the Network can be found under the "Inside the PWN" section. To view the new website, please go to www.piedmontworkforce.net

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A new initiative focusing on the incorporation of Universal Design principles in the design of housing and communities kicked off with a luncheon meeting on October 4, held at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA). Bill Wanner and Billie Campbell of the TJPDC serve on the steering committee along with representatives from JABA and the Piedmont Housing Alliance. Three groups were launched at the initial meeting: Community Involvement, Design and Construction, and Policy. Universal Design is the design of products and environments (such as residences, stores, and neighborhoods) to be usable by all people regardless of their ability or age, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. If you are interested in participating in this effort or need more information, visit http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp or contact Bill Wanner at bwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 390.

TJPDC staff assisted the Town of Mineral with the initial submittal to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) planning effort, focusing on the revitalization of the Town. The goal of the planning grant is to prepare for a full CDBG application to make specific improvements to the identified business district. This project grew, in part, from a series of Mineral Town Council retreats held in February and September 2006. For more information contact Bill Wanner at bwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x390.

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RideShare will host the 3rd Annual RideShare Awareness and Appreciation Week, October 16-20.  During this week, RideShare will be rewarding commuters that use alternative transportation.  Events will be held at several area employers to increase awareness of free services through RideShare, such as carpool and vanpool matching and the Guaranteed Ride Home program.  RideShare will also promote other options such as transit, walking and biking.  For more information visit www.rideshareinfo.org. 

In other news, RideShare is currently working to coordinate vanpools along with a group of interested commuters from the Augusta County area that work in Charlottesville as well as a group of Charlottesville residents commuting to Richmond.  Shared expenses make vanpooling an economical option for those who commute long distances.  For more information and/or to reserve a seat in a vanpool, contact Lisa Horanyi at (434) 295-6165 or lhoranyi@tjpdc.org.

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Daniel LeBlanc, Senior Advisor to the Governor on Workforce, spoke at a joint PWN Board/PWN Council meeting on September 21. As Senior Advisor for Workforce, Mr. LeBlanc’s responsibilities include advising the Governor on all workforce development matters. In this role, he provides direction in the development and implementation of the Commonwealth’s workforce development strategic plan and in the administration of activities associated with the Federal Workforce Investment Act. During his visit, LeBlanc spoke of the need to work across boundaries to look for new solutions to our workforce challenges. He also commended the PWN Board on taking the initiative to develop a model comprehensive One Stop Center in Charlottesville that will promote cross-agency cooperation and resource sharing.  LeBlanc is providing assistance to the PWN Board to implement this model.

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TJPDC Executive Director Harrison Rue will address participants on “Walking The Talk: Creating an Age-Friendly Community” at the AARP Mobility Forum on October 30^th. The conference, which will be held October 30-31 in Richmond, will focus on “Exploring Mobility Options for Older Virginians”. JAUNT Executive Director, Donna Shaunesey, will also be speaking on the benefits of coordinated transportation service (public, human service agency) in a session “Coordination is Key!” with co-presenter Neil Sherman of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.  For more information, visit http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=117760.

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The Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) is a statewide initiative linking public and private leaders in the areas of housing and transportation. Through funding provided by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (www.vaBoard.org), TJPDC is developing a Toolkit to help communities consider the needs of people who are often excluded from the planning process: people who do not drive, people with limited incomes, and people with disabilities. Linking transportation and housing together in the planning process is essential, since home is either the origin or destination for most personal trips. The TJPDC, along with UVA Professor David Phillips and members of the THA Steering Committee, will present the Toolkit at the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Conference on October 24 in Roanoke (http://www.rvarc.org/vagis/) and at the Governor’s Housing Conference in Norfolk (http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/ADMIN/GHC.htm) as a pre-conference session on Telling Your Story November 29 and as a conference workshop on December 1. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 230.

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The City of Charlottesville and the TJPDC submitted the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the year beginning July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006. During FY06, the Thomas Jefferson HOME Consortium expended $1,035,821 in HOME funds. This year 36 projects were completed:

·  Rehabilitated or replaced 9 substandard owner-occupied houses

·  Assisted 23 first time homebuyers

·  Developed 4 rental units

Consortium members include the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program, Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Fluvanna/Louisa Housing Foundation, Nelson County Community Development Foundation, Skyline Community Action Program, and Piedmont Housing Alliance. The full CAPER can be accessed at http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 ext 230.

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TJPDC Executive Director Harrison Rue has been appointed to the Earthcraft Virginia Board.  The Earthcraft vision is to create a green builder program that could be used by mainstream homebuilders with integrity in the application of green features.  The principles serve as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment.  The Board will oversee the creation, operation, and growth of the Earthcraft Virginia Multifamily program in Virginia.  This will be the first statewide multifamily residential green builder program in the country. 

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In August, Albemarle County, TJPDC and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) kicked-off the Eastern Albemarle Sub-Area Study. This study will extend the transportation corridor of the Northwest Fluvanna/Southwest Louisa Corridor study. This study now includes three of the six local jurisdictions in the planning district and will create a transportation plan, coordinated with land use plans, that will support safe multi-modal transportation options for drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The plan will identify investment strategies and spot improvement concepts for existing roads for safety and capacity, and access management strategies to better coordinate current and future development.  The plan will be implemented by individual counties (Albemarle, Fluvanna and Louisa), VDOT, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT), and private developers, with regional coordination by the TJPDC. For more information about the projects and public workshops, contact Kellem Emanuele at kemanuele@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x260.

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