University of Virginia Library

On Grady-Gordon Highway

Sensbach Asks For More Study

By Jay Steer
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Commenting on the proposed
Grady-Gordon expressway which
would force several fraternities
to relocate, an administration
spokesman said that the consequences
of this plan need to be
given a "deeper looking into"
rather than just a "cursory
glance."

Werner K. Sensbach, director
of the University planning department,
speaking to a group of
IFC representatives Wednesday
about the effects of University
growth and development on fraternities,
praised the present Mad
Lane- Rugby Road arrangement.

Close Community

He said that "the fact that
all the fraternities are located
so close together leads to a
'community of values' among
students living there. Fraternities
add an 'element of life' to the
corner area.

"On big weekends, the area is
a hub of activity, producing an
atmosphere not unlike that generated
by the Mardi Gras of
New Orleans. This effect could
not be produced if the fraternity
houses were spread all over Charlottesville.

"The Grady-Gordon expressway,
or any plan which would
force fraternities to relocate,
would destroy the unity which
the fraternities enjoy. The fraternities
presently are in an excellent
location," he added.

Several Problems

Mr. Sensbach pointed out that
relocating the fraternities, should
the need come up, to a Copley
Hill or Alderman Road location
would create several problems.
The main problem, he felt, would
be the distance problem.

"Students living, for example,
around Copley Hill would have
to walk quite a distance along
Route 29, a very busy highway.
Students would feel isolated from
the academic community both
mentally and physically," he said.

"Another factor which should
be considered by the Charlottesville
City Planning commission
before they decide to build the
expressway is the additional traffic
which will flow down Rugby
Rd. to the Rotunda," he noted.
"These additional vehicles will
create a further separation of the
houses."

Won't Be Built

For these reasons, Mr. Sensbach
said he did not think that
the East-West expressway will
be built. "A more probable solution,"
he offered, "would be to
widen West Main St. to four
lanes from Emmet St. to downtown.
This plan would cause
some confusion, but would help
to alleviate the traffic problem
anticipated for the next few
years.

"A good start to widening the
road would be to eliminate on-street
parking, building several
off-street parking lots to handle
the displaced vehicles."

When asked if the University
had any plans to expand classrooms
or dormitories into the
Mad Lane-Rugby Road area at
any time in the future, Mr. Sensbach
answered with a firm denial.

No Expansion

"Except for the possible East-West
highway, and the relocation
of one house for the Fine Arts
Center of the School of Architecture,
there is no reason to
alter the present arrangement."

In fact, Mr. Sensbach feels
the present arrangement "far
superior" to any other plan.

He did mention, however, the
plans for building high-rise
dormitories on Lambeth Field
within the next ten years. This
location was preferred over the
Alderman Road sites because of
its proximity to the academic
community, he added.