Road vote is significant

Debate- Or do-

At last, we are doing something about one of the area's chief road needs.

After decades of debate, the Meadowcreek Parkway is taking substantial steps forward.

Charlottesville City Council's unanimous decision to grant a temporary construction easement to the Virginia Department of Transportation was a major piece of progress.

The road is vital to Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

By providing a more direct route to downtown Charlottesville from north of the city, it will make access much more convenient for the many county residents who work or shop in downtown Charlottesville, and for the city residents who work or shop in northern Albemarle. And by making it easier for locals and tourists to reach downtown, the parkway will help nourish downtown businesses with an inflow of revenue.

And, yes, there should be a higher "inflow" of revenue than "outflow."

Charlottesville has succeeded in making the downtown a regional destination, a strong draw. Making it easy for visitors to reach the central city is critical to downtown's continued success. (And this might be a good place to add: Provision of sufficient parking for visitors once they reach the central city is also vital.)

Approval of the temporary easement is contingent on several projects that the city has long advocated.

Charlottesville wants to be assured that Albemarle County and the state will move forward on other regional roads - especially the Eastern Connector and Southern Parkway. Both projects would help manage traffic on the city's borders, where county growth continues to take place.

Other items on which the city insists include acquisition of parkland to replace land in McIntire Park that would be lost to construction, and construction of pedestrian and bicycle paths as an integral part of the project - not as an add-on that might too easily be abandoned later.

Meadowcreek Parkway has been debated … and debated … and debated … for years on end.

Now there is substantive action.

Charlottesville's unanimous vote in support of the easement is particularly significant. Even with its contingencies, it is a notable commitment, and its symbolic message about that commitment is also powerful.

Debate or do-

We shall do.