The headline of the RTD article says it all: VCU gym plans move ahead –
State official OKs proposed expansion of Cary St. facility into Richmond’s Oregon Hill. VCU has aproval from the state to move/demolish the 2 stables and to build a 125,000-square-foot student rec center in their place.
The Byrd House Market is open from 3:30-7PM. Musical entertainment is an open acoustic jam session, so bring what you play. There will also be an Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting @ 7PM at the William Byrd Community House, and a 5th District meeting with Councilman Marty Jewell @ 6PM at the Sun Trust Riverview Bldg. 1001 Semmes Avenue, James River Conference Room, 1st floor.
Vacant Richmond currently lists 32 vacant properties in the Oregon Hill neighborhood, with another 11 identified in the “VCU neighborhood”.
One of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association’s main assertions in the controversy over the proposed rec center is that VCU needs to fully consider alternative sites before demolishing the historic stables or Green Alley.
This is a a video of 5th District Councilperson Marty Jewell speaking at City Council last Monday. He is explaining his reasoning for his vote on the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation.
For background information on the controversial CenterStage plan, see Scott
Bass’ story in the latest Style Weekly or follow the ongoing
story at http://saverichmond.com
I recognize that VCU President Dr. Trani may be the most powerful person in Richmond, I realize that this is “tobacco country“, and I doubt if any local mainstream media will touch this, but I do think it is important to note that Oregon Hillians are not the only ones to question the character and integrity of his actions…
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Friday Night Movie – September 21
at dark (approx. 7:30 P.M.)
Pleasants Park
Grilled hot dogs, chips, and beverages served
The Byrd House Market is open from 3:30-7PM. Musical entertainment at the Market this week will be provided by Pam McCarthy. Check out Storytelling in the Garden with Jane plus FREE kid’s activities sponsored by Polka Dot Arts, the Waldorf School, St. Andrew’s Church and the Laptop Librarian.
This from a neighbor on Cherry Street:
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Quite a doozie- I arrived home at 1:30 AM to see an RPD Paddy
wagon and patrol car stationed in front of a house on the 200 block
of Cherry (maybe 2 or 3 houses from Idlewood) with lights going and
kids and trash everywhere. I had to park a block or so away and when
I got out of the car, you could hear the roar of 300 to 400 partying
college students swarmed in the backyard of the house, screaming at
the top of their lungs. Bikes and cars parked everywhere and kids
wandering the streets with open containers of beer looking for a
place to pee.I sat on my front porch in amazement as the police
left and more and more kids with more and more beer arrived and the
NOISE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER! At 2AM, the RPD returned- this time 5
patrol cars and a paddy wagon with lights blazing. They entered the
backyard on foot with flashlights to disperse the crowd and swarms of
kids swelled into the streets. It took the officers maybe 25 minutes
to walk the streets sending the 300 or 400 partiers on their way as
the streets were choked with alcohol impaired children, most on foot
or on bike and all loud. All finally calmed down but after a half
hour or so the dull roar started back up although I finally made it
to sleep.200 and 300 blocks Cherry used to be among the most peaceful on the
Hill with the proximity to Hollywood Cemetery. This garbage has got
to stop.
Reverend April Greenwood of St. Andrews Episcopal wants people to know that the church is sponsoring a Fall Fair in the Grace Arents Community Gardens on Sept 30, Sunday, from noon to 3. Kids games, prizes, used book sale, plant sale, fire truck, food, etc. for the Oregon Hill neighborhood. Hope to see everyone on the 30th.
Also, don’t forget, St. Andrew’s has a Celtic Candlelight Service every 2nd and 4th Wed. at 6 pm