Dear Cville Schools community—

We are delighted to announce that the UVA Board of Visitors today approved the resolution to lease and eventually transfer the Oak Lawn property to the City of Charlottesville for the benefit of the schools. Please see the full joint statement below.

We deeply appreciate the University and City's joint partnership with our schools. As noted in a message earlier this week, we will keep you posted as we continue to develop plans for the property.

Sincerely,

Dr. Royal A. Gurley and the Charlottesville City School Board
Emily Dooley, Chair
Amanda Burns, Vice Chair
Shymora Cooper
Chris Meyer
Dom Morse
Nicole Richardson
Lisa Torres

Joint Statement from UVA Health, UVA, City of Charlottesville, & Charlottesville City Schools

Today, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors approved a resolution for UVA to enter a long-term lease with the city of Charlottesville for eventual ownership of the historical property known as Oak Lawn. The 5.2-acre parcel, listed on the Virginia Landmark Register and National Register of Historic Places since 1973, is located at the southwest corner of 9th St. SW and Cherry Ave. in the city’s Fifeville neighborhood.

“This agreement is another step in UVA’s ongoing efforts to support the city of Charlottesville and its school system,” said UVA executive vice president and chief operating officer Jennifer “J.J.” Davis. “Entering into a long-term lease agreement is the most expeditious means of transferring Oak Lawn to the city, with full transfer of the property to follow. We are excited to see the future of this historical landmark being developed by the city in a way that truly benefits one of its most vibrant neighborhoods.”

“We are thankful that our ongoing conversations with UVA have produced an opportunity to collaborate on using the Oak Lawn property to meet a critical community need,” said Charlottesville city manager Sam Sanders. “Our priority is to address the schools needs while recognizing there may be additional opportunities for community benefit.”

“This is an exciting possibility for our school system, and an example of how the University, the City, and the schools can collaborate to make our community better,” said Charlottesville public schools superintendent Dr. Royal A. Gurley Jr. “When leaders work together to find solutions, it is our students who benefit.”

Since purchasing Oak Lawn in 2023, UVA Health has worked alongside Fifeville residents to explore potential uses for the site, ranging from childcare to serving as a destination for various community uses. Following numerous focus groups and listening sessions over 18 months, stakeholders shared that preserving the history of Oak Lawn is critical, as well as continuing the dialogue to determine its next best use. Today’s resolution supports both of these goals.

“We are deeply grateful to the many neighbors, community leaders and partner organizations who have shared their perspectives with us,” said interim executive vice president for health affairs Mitch Rosner, MD. “Their input has helped reinforce the historical significance of Oak Lawn and bring to light the feasibility of its potential uses. We appreciate the city of Charlottesville’s commitment to both preserving that history while revitalizing the space to serve children, families and the education system. In envisioning Oak Lawn’s future and taking all we have learned from the community and the city into account, we are confident this is the best path forward. We look forward to seeing Oak Lawn become an asset for the community.”
 
The long-term lease, as approved by the UVA Board of Visitors, permits the city to pay a nominal fee to lease the grounds and Oak Lawn residence, with the option to fully acquire ownership of the property, also for a nominal fee.