1976-09-16September 16, 1976 (Adjourned from September 15)
An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held
on September 16, 1976, at 7:30 P.M., at Walker Jr. High School; said meeting being adjourned
from September 15, 1976.
Present: Mrs. Opal D. David and Messrs. Lindsay G. Dorrier, Jr., Gerald E. Fisher, J. T.
Henley, Jr. (arriving at 8:05 P.M.), F. Anthony Iachetta and W. S. Roudabush.
Absent: None.
Officers present:
St. John.
County Executive, Guy B. Agnor, Jr. and County Attorney, George R.
1) The meeting was called to order by Mr. Fisher'. This meeting was held jointly with
members of Charlottesville City Council and members of the Regional Library Board; the
purpose of the meeting being to discuss construction of a new library facility.
2) Discussion: Feasibility of using main post office building as a library facility.
Mayor Nancy O'Brien said when the prior members of City Council were presented with a
request for $50,000 for architectural fees for design of a new library facility, it was felT
that this decision should be deferred until after the newly elected City Council members had
taken office. During the interim, the possibility of using the old Main Post Office Building
on East Market Street in the City of Charlottesville for a library facility was discussed.
The City and County both appropriated monies for a feasibility study to be made of the buildi
for this use. It now appears that this possibility is feasible and this meeting has been
called to discuss that report.
Mr. Lloyd Smith, Chairman of the Regional Library Board, said the possibility of using
the post office building for a library instead of constructing a new facility came about af~
the time when the Library Board had undertaken efforts to raise funds for the new library
building. This was after the City~nd~A~b~marla, Nelson, G~ee~, and Louisa Counties had
purchased a site. Because of emenomi~conditions, a number of people asked if an existing
building could not be used for this purpose. Lane High School was found to be inadequate for
library p~rposes. Mr. B. R. Sample of the firm of Stainback and Scribner was retained to
a study of the Dost office building.
Mr. Sample said his firm was hired expressly for the purpose of studying the feasibility
of using the post office building for a library structure. The mandatory floor loading
ability for libraries is the one feature that distinguishes a library from other buildings.
The State Code requires 150 lbs. per square foot, live load for libraries. The post office
building is structurally two buildings. The front portion, on the left as you enter the
building from Market Street, was built about 1912. The post office building as seen now was
built in 1936. At that time, the portico was moved, the building enlarged about 2/3rd and th~
loading dock built. It was found that the first floor, with very few alterations in the
basement, can be made to support 300 lbs per square foot. Because the ceiling height on the
main floor is about 15 1/2 feet, book stacks would be double-tiered. This is a system of
putting book stacks on book stacks and introducing a very thin floor system, thus making the
basic floor take the load. The cost for doing this is not exmrb~tan~-~. The rest of the chang~
are fundamental.
In 1936, the ~st office was air-conditioned. It is air-conditioned floor by floor,
with two units per floor. The equipment is fairly new with some modern replacements. The
zoning controls need some adjustment. The building is heated by radiators. The projected
cost figures are based on the use of much of this present equipment. The costs are exclusive
of any renovations to the present McIntire Building. It was felt that regardless of where th~
building is put, McIntire would have to be dealt with separately. McIntire is a basic buildi~
which can be easily changed structurally. The basic difference between use of the post offic~
building and a new building is primarily the fact that there is no intention to provide on-
site parking. McIntire has offered no on-site parking in the past. One item needs clarifica~
The report includes a link structure joining the post office with the present McIntire buiidi
Mr. Sample said the present entrance of the post office is not a logical one for a library.
This relates primarily to interior circulation and control. The main entrance is too big, it
is about eight feet above the sidewalks and requires 16 risers. It would be almost impossibl~
to provide ramps for the handicapped which is now a part of the State Building Code. It is
recommended that a new entrance be developed on Second Street between the post office buildin
and the McIntire~building. U~The use of the post office will require two additional stairways.
Mr. Sample sais at the time this report was drafted, he took the costs allotted for a new
building ($42.00/square foot) to arrive at cost estimates for renovation. New construction
is estimated at $1,887,00 and renovation of this building is estimated at $862,965, a savings
of $1,024,135. However, the estimate does not include purchase of the post office building
and land, acquisition of adjacent property on East Jefferson Street, renovation of the McInti~
building, furnishings (except stacks~, public parking or & regional office for the library.
Mr. Sample said investigation indicates that it is possible to convert the post office
building to the desired use.
Mr. Lloyd Smith drew the Board's attention to the items not covered by this cost estimat~
He did not feel there will be a substantial savings when these items are added back into the
cost. There is also a question of Whether the post office building is really available.
The letter offering the bdilding to the County said they would want to keep some of the non-
postal related services presently housed in the post office building still housed in that
building. With these obstaces, this project could be set off as much as four years. Funds
pledged to the Library Board from private sources would then not be available because of this
delay. The Library Board must have the support of City Council and the Board of Supervisors
in order to go forward with this project. If it is decided that a savings of about $200,000
overall is worth this delay, the Library Board can wait, but if it is decided not to wait, th
Library Board asks that an appropriation be made for architectural plans for the site on
Vinegar Hill.
Councilman Francis Fife said there has been a question as to whether or not the post
office itself should be moved at all. City Council has held a public hearing on this questio~
That question has not been resolved. He asked if a post office facility could not be accom-
modated in the basament of the building with a~..new%~ntrance on Third Street. Mr. Sample said
his report~.contains no allocation for space for the basement floor other than for storage.
September 16, 1976 (Adjourned from September 15)
of the basement for post office use..
Mrs. David asked if the figure for new construction included regional offices. Mr.
Sample said no, that was not part of the requirements, but the space could be accommodated.~
Mr. Christopher Devan, Library Director, said cost figures were calculated from a set of
preliminary plans for library~purposes written in 1969 by Mr. Ray Williams, who[was the Direc
of the library. This was not a regional library at that time. ~All of the studies have a
small amount of space for the administrative funct_~o~..~'pace~i~.is~in¢l~ded~in, i~t.~e Preliminary
· . .~:~'~ ~7~ . ~ " ~
plans for the new bUilding. Mr. Fisher asked mE znc~uded~he 30,000 square feet request.
arei~bhe administrative offices (for a n~.w building), and in the post office building there
would b$,~01~000 square feet excluding the administrative offices. Mr. Devan said that was
true, but of the 40,000 square feet in the post office building, the location of the space is
not all in the right places. About 1/3 rd of the space is in the basement. The basement is
dark and has few windows, so for library purposes a great deal of this space is unusable, ·
Mr. Fisher said while the City and County will have to make the major decision, there ar
other participants in the Regional Library. There have been indications that these localitie
are not willing at this time to participate in 'the cost of a new library facility located in
the center of the City because they feel it will primarily serve the citizens of the City and
Albemarle County.
Mr. Fife asked if the money raised from private sources by the Library Board is availabl
for any building located anywhere. Mr. Smith said the Library Board has raised about $250,00
They are trying to raise $750,000 and would then request an equal amount from both the City
and the County, with the balance being requested from the various other localities. Of the
amount already pledged, $50,000 i.s from the Perry Foundation and is conditioned on the Librar
Board raising $700,000. Some of the other pledged funds are conditioned on the Library Board
entering into a binding contract to construct by January, 1978. That condition can be extend
Mr. Smith said the fund raising campaign has broken down because of the delay in obtaining
approval for the architectural drawings from the City and County.
Councilman Ed Gatewood said since time seems to be of the essence to the Library Board,
would any of the pledged funds be available for working drawings. Mr. Smith said twO large
gifts are in savings accounts, but they are tied to entering into a~ binding contract for
construction. The funds therefore could not be used for working drawings since the Library
Board cannot guarantee, at this time, that the building will be constructed.
Supervisor Lindsay Dorrier asked if there were any agreement when the site was purchased
on Vinegar Hill. Mr. Fisher said there was a strong statement made at that time that there
would be no assurance the building could be built within any specified period of time. Mr.
Dorrier asked if any assurance had been given that the building would be paid for with public
funds. Mr. Fisher said he did not remember anyone saying that ultimately public funds would
not be'~us~d. ~But there is a question as to how these public funds would be raised. Several
members of the Board have indicated a preference for a bond referendum.
Mr. Smith asked how this could be supported by a bond referendum in the different locali
This might pass in one locality and not in another. Mr. Fisher said that would determine the
question. Dr. Iachetta said it might be necessary to determine if this should be a reg~ional
library if a referendum failed. He is not convinced that a regional library, is best for the
future. Dr. Iachetta said he will not support an expenditure of $750,000 in the next 12
months with the information presently in hand. It is not clear that the post office buildin~
is really for sale.
Councilman Charles Barbour said he felt this was the time for the City and County to
decide if any library building should be built within the City limits. If the answer to that
question is no, everyone might as well go home. Mr. Dorrier said he did not understand how
the County and City could have spent $200,000 on a site, and then decide at this time that it
was a mistake. Dr. Iachetta said now is the time to make this a public question. The land
can always be sold. Mr. Fife said there was a Library Site Selection Committee that worked o
the question for a long time and ultimately came to the conclusion that the best location ~
for a ~iB~ary is on Vinegar Hill. The various Jurisdictions then agreed to appropriate the
funds and the site was purchased.
Mr. Barbour said whatever was decided two years ago is not binding on the present Counc~
and Board members. The basic question to be decided is whether or not the County is willing
to put up the money ~o~ for a building in the City. Mr. Fisher said the question is whether
or not the Board members have something they are ready to recommend to the voters in a refers
If so, the money will be available. Someone needs to find out if GAO is really serious about
selling the building, and if so, the price of the building.
Supervisor Opal David said it seems that is what everybody has been trying to do for som
time. A decision must still be made on whether the City and County are willing to do this
together and if so, make a definite proposal on purchase of the post office building.
Mr. Cole Hendrix, City Manager, said he felt it is time to make a decision on the follow
questions: 1) can a l~brary can be installed in the present post office building; 2) what
price should be paid for ~lh~ post office building; 3~ is the post office building really
available; ~) are the City and County ~illing to raise $750,000 each, and, if so, by what
method; 5) if both the City and County decide on a referendum and it fails, ~hat happens then
Mr. Fisher said he can support use of the post office building if it can be acquired for
about $300,000. Until some mosti~attached to the post office building, he cannot make~
definite decision.
Mr. Hendrix said it appears that the County and City will have to raise about $750,000
either way. The first time a referendum could be included on a ballot without going to a
special election will be the Spring of 1977.
Mr. Dorrier felt the first question to answer is whether the City and the County are
willing to make a written offer to GSA for purchase of the building. Mr. Hendrix said he di~
not think it has to be a written offer, but negotiations should take place. Mr. Fisher ~and
Mrs. O'Brien supported this idea. Mr. Fisher felt purchase of the post office building offe~
a financial gain for the citizens of the County. Mr. Gatewood asked if this is enough~of an
~or
~ies.
~dum.
ng
September 1~, 1976 (Adjourned from September 15)
September 22, 1976 (A~ternoon-Adjourned from September 16)
and indicate their willingness to put this question on the ballot next election. Mr. Fisher
thought a certain procedure should be followed in this matter, first being to make a reasonal
offer for purchase~Of the building.
Mrs. O'Brien said in fairness to the Library Board, it is time to make a realistic
decision. Mr. Fife said it cannot be ignored~ that the Library Board has already gone out an~
acquired private funds for this use which may not be available in the future.
Mr. Dottier said he is not convinced that a referendum is needed. The prior Board
endorsed the idea of building a new library and he is willing to vote on this question after
getting total cost figures. Mr. Dottier said he felt Revenue Sharing Funds could be used.
Mr. Smith said if a referendum cannot be held until June, 1977, even if successful, the
Library Board will probably lose those funds which are pledged. Mr. Fisher asked the other
BOard members if they supported the idea of a referendum, or would prefer to use Revenue
Sharing Funds, or take the monies from the General Fund and raise the tax rate accordingly.
Mr. Dorrier said based on the cost analysis before the Board, he would prefer to do thi
without a referendum and use Revenue Sharing Funds.
Mr. Roudabush said he did not know, since the cost figures are not available. He feels
committed to the citizens of the county to provide a facility for the least amount of money.
This might possibly be done without a referendum, but he can make no decision until an answe~
is received from GSA.
Mrs. David said it would be helpful to have a figure to work with. This question has
been discussed and postponed long enough. She indicated her willingness to make a decision
without going to a referendum.
Dr. Iachetta said the whole question of what should be done will have to be reexamined
after the total cost is known. He indicated bhat he has an obligation to reexamine the
Commitments of'the predecessor Board in light of present needs. He said if the expenditure
County funds is large, then the whole concept of the regional library must be reexamined
relative to how much money would be spent if there were not a regional library. There are
lots of needs and he does not put a library on the top of the list. Dr. Iachetta said he i
not willing to spend this amount of money without a referendum.
Mr. Henley said he feels a regional library is the right way to provide library service
but did not agree that a referendum is necessary before thee Board can make a decision.
Mr. Fisher suggested that a committee be appointed to arrive at an offer for purchase
of the building as a first step. The. following were appointed: Mrs. 0'Brien and Mr. Hendrix
from the City; Mr. Fisher and Mr. Agnor from the County; Mrs. Katherine Hallock and Mr. Smit
from the Library Board, with Mr. Agnor coordinating the committee's efforts.
Agenda Item No. 3. Executive Session: Litigation. At 9:15 P.M., motion was offered b
Mr. Dorrier, seconded by Mrs. David, to adjourn into executive session with City Council
members and the Airport Board to discuss litigation. The motion carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Mrs. David and Messrs. Dorrier, Fisher, Henley, Iachetta and Roudabush.
None.
The Board reconvened at 9:38 P.M. at which time City Council members left the meeting.
Motion was then offered by Mrs. David, seconded by Mr. Roudabush, to adjourn into executive
session with members of the School Board, the Superintendent of Schools and the Commonwealth
Attorney, Mr. John A. Dezio, to discuss personnel matters. The motion carried by the follow~
recorded vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
Mrs. David and Messrs. Dorrier, Fisher, Henley, Iachetta and RoUdabush.
None.
The Board reconvened at 11:00 P.M. and motion was offered by Mr. Dorrier, seconded by M
Roudabush, to adjourn this meeting until September 22, 1976, at 3:00 P.M~. in the Board Room
the County OffiCe'Building. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES:'
NAYS:
Mrs. David and Messrs. Dorrier, Fisher, Henley, Iachetta and Roudabush.
None.
~a~irman
September 22,1976 (Afternoons- Adjourned from September 16, 1976)
An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was
held on September 22, 1976, in the Board Room of the County Office Building, Charlottes-
ourned
vil!e, Virginia; said meeting being adj __ fromS~m~r___~6~_~9?6.~ ...............
Present: Mrs. Opal D. David and Messrs. Lindsay G. Dorrier, Jr., Gerald E. Fisher,
J. T. Henley, Jr., F. Anthony Iachetta and William S. Roudabush.
Absent: None.
Officers present:
County Attorney.
Guy B. Agnor, Jr., County Executive, and George R. St. John,
Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Fisher.
Agenda Item No. 2. Discussion: EGualization Board. Present were Mr. Eobe~t~E~ler,