RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center of Virginia (LCEC) is an educational center for visitors of all ages commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition; and
WHEREAS, the County of Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville have demonstrated their support of LCEC’s mission by granting a long-term lease of land in Darden Towe Park, participation by the City Parks and Recreation Department in the boatbuilding program for youths, donation of office space by Albemarle County, and participation by area schools in LCEC programs; and
WHEREAS, the LCEC has applied for $300,000.00 in Transportation Enhancement Funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation which, when combined with other grant funds, will be used to construct a 2,500 square foot visitor’s center, develop a system of interpretive hiking trails, and create a ferry boat crossing to allow pedestrian passage across the Rivanna River to the greenbelt trails in Pen Park; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors strongly supports the educational mission of the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center, and values the LCEC as an important community resource; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors strongly supports the grant application made by the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center of Virginia for $300,000.00 in Transportation Enhancement Funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Commonwealth Transportation Board construction allocation procedures, it is necessary that a request by resolution be received from the Board of Supervisors before the Virginia Department of Transportation can program a transportation enhancement project in the County of Albemarle.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, hereby requests that the Commonwealth Transportation Board establish a project for the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County hereby agrees to a pay a minimum of 20 percent of the total cost for planning and design, right of way, and construction of this project, and that, if the County subsequently elects to cancel this project, the County hereby agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Transportation for the total amount of costs expended by the Department through the date the Department is notified of such cancellation.