Take a left on Hedge St., then a left on 4th St. Cross back over High St. Immediately to your left is Jackson Park and statue. The statue, unveiled in 1921 as part of city beautification efforts, has been judged to be one of the world's greatest equestrian statues. Continue walking down 4th St. The block of Victorian storefronts on 4th St. after crossing Market St. has undergone a renaissance since 1980. Enter the Downtown Mall from 4th St. Look across the Mall to the entrance from the other side.
Public safety is another important issue for city planners to be aware of.
The area where you are now standing has always been the heart of downtown Charlottesville. It was only recently converted into a pedestrian district but it is still considered the center of the city's business, financial, and government activities. Although today many agree that the pedestrian mall has successfully preserved the city's original business district, it was a very controversial project as many buildings were razed and business activity was severely disrupted. The initial cost of the project was several million dollars. The Downtown Mall is also a prime spot for tourists, housing several restaurants and shops.