The first thing that my neighbors and I noticed on the handout sheet for this meeting was this sentence, “Oregon Hill residents have had a strong voice in VCU development as it has affected the neighborhood.” Was this before or after whole blocks of Oregon Hill were torn down for VCU’s expansion across Main Street? Or was this when VCU insisted on moving the Jacob House despite protest? Or was it more recent, when VCU tore down a historic stable despite repeated objections from the neighborhood association? What a joke! Richmond be warned- VCU does not care what citizens and residents want. They have very little love for a public-driven master plan that they see as meddling with their university master plan. VCU did not say anything at this meeting because it did not need to- it already has its own hooks in the City and State government.
Phfew! Had to get that off my chest.
Despite that editorial, I will say that tonight’s meeting at the William Byrd Community House was a successful one. Barbara Abernathy began the meeting with a quick, thankful call for participation. I counted over 60 people in attendance, with enough diversity to ensure that the meeting was not overly dominated by Oregon Hill residents. Brooke Hardin of the City’s Community Development Dept. served as presenter/moderator. Due to technical difficulties there was no slide show. Over the last 8 months, the City held a number of ‘charrette’ planning sessions, and Hardin quickly listed and described the 7 main points that had emerged from them- including the emphasis on traditional city/historic preservation, the need for ‘green’, access to the James River, and the desire for mixed income residential base. The downtown footprint has increased and this meeting was in part on how surrounding neighborhoods and VCU play into that.
From there, Hardin referred to what has been written in the proposed Downtown Master plan for this area. Some of the written points: plant more street trees and enhance pedestrian environment, increase transit opportunities (including BRT), encourage VCU campus infill, prohibit future street closings, promote Monroe Park, establish a sustainable design center, continue neighborhood preservation efforts in Oregon Hill (the idea of OH getting Old and Historic District designation is pronounced), preserve and connect Oregon Hill’s parks, encourage compatible infill in Monroe Park, and revitalize Grace Street.
After the City’s presentation, questions and comments came from the audience. Jason Roberts, an Oregon Hill resident, expressed support for the idea of re-connecting Pine Street across the 195 expressway, and using the resulting reclaimed area for green, open space. I raised my hand and used Jason’s comment to segue into a plea for recognition of the Belvidere Greenway that could connect the James River Park north to Monroe Park, and then to Carver (something that OH has had in its own master plan for decades). I also reminded City planners about the popular idea of retooling Idlewood west of Cherry as a two way street with a roundabout off the expressway exit ramp. I reiterated a call for boundaries with binding agreements from VCU.
Monroe Ward residents supported the idea of making Grace St. two-way and also asked about Main and Cary. Some expressed concerns that parking VCU students would cause delays on two-way streets. Many citizens liked the idea of more trees and were also interested in more trash cans and streetscape improvements. Paul Holland brought up safety concerns along with support for transit connectors and a refurbished Monroe Park.
Carver neighborhood residents were interested in a couple of aspects. One resident thought Gilmore Street should be considered for two-way traffic. Many were surprised that more of Carver did not appear in the Downtown Master plan study, and wanted to see the whole neighborhood to come under consideration. They felt that streetscape improvements are badly needed there.
The comments kept coming. Perhaps piqued by Carver’s request, some property owners/managers wanted to know more about the plan and if there would be other parts of the City studied in the future (the answer was a tentative yes). Josh Irwin thought that code enforcement should be a bigger part of renewed attention to streetscape issues. Concern was expressed about the high rise/gas station development proposed for where the BP station is currently at the corner of Grace and Belvidere. Hardin explained that his department primarily looks at proposals like that for overall urban compatibility rather than specific architecture. One gentlemen made good points about creating more emphasis on making the VCU area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly with particular attention on crosswalks. Linda, a resident of Carver, said she had seen a lot of transportation planning come and go in Richmond, but the question of who was it for does not come often enough. She said that more traffic enforcement is needed and the counties must take part in transportation planning. Oregon Hill resident Todd Woodson welcomed and thanked Carver residents for visiting Oregon Hill for the meeting. He said that the urban forestry program needs to be brought back to strength. And he finished by saying that it was a shame that the Mayor put an end to the Neighborhood Teams civic program.
With that portion of the meeting over, many attendees took the time to fill out comment slips, look at maps, and ask questions of the many members of City staff who were in attendance. I noticed a few members of the media there, so maybe this meeting will receive some more coverage.
Nice summary, Scott. It is most interesting that the TD article mentioned that few people expressed concern over VCU expansion. This past summer, OH residents spent literally hundreds of hours trying to engage in the process of presenting alternatives to the demolition and inappropriate development proposed by VCU in our neighborhood and were summarily ignored. Also a revealing statement that no officers of either OHNA or OHHIC have been asked to be official members of the VCU Community Relations Board yet Brian Glass, who manages Commercial real estate for the University sits on the board. I learned much more about the VCU administration this summer than I ever wanted to know and I fear for the future of Historic Oregon Hill north of the big ditch.
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*Great* coverage, Scott. Thanks.
There are 4 more neighborhood meetings scheduled. Next up is Shockoe (Shockoe Bottom, Shockoe Slip) on Thursday, February 7 * 6:00 – 8:00 pm @ Main Street Station * 1500 East Main Street.
Great recap Scott, thanks!
I wish I could have attended this. I really wanted to, but I had things I had to get done.
My first reaction is that fact that no one brought up the intent to repave the streets in Oregon Hill. Our streets are in terrible condition – especially Cherry Street. I know this would be a large feet to accomplish, but I think it is definitely needed especially if the area is looking to be more bicycle friendly (take it from a everyday rider).
Also, Richmond is one of the greenest cities in the United States. The pressure to plant more trees seems a little overwhelming based on this summary of the meeting. Sure, planting more trees would be great but the city has a pretty good amount already. Just a thought. I think money could be used elsewhere such as fixing up sidewalks, sewer systems, or adding more street lighting.
Bringing up the fact that access to the James River is limited I think is great, because it really is limited. I believe the city should invest a great deal of money in this. I’m pretty sick of walking under Belvidere bridge on old, ugly stairs to actually get close to the water. Not only that, it’s pretty unsafe.
I think some construction should be down at the river too, especially Belle Isle. The huge open field that was at one time a Confederate prison should be utilized. I believe some soccer fields should be created, or at least a goal or two. Also, the ship hanger should be utilized. Some pinic tables and some grills would be a great addition. All of this could be done pretty cheaply and would absolutely draw people to the river for recreation.
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I’m lovin’ Nick’s comments. This is the kind of input that makes sense to me. Great ideas.
I missed my quote. I guess it didn’t make the cut.
I would like the City to do more about the street conditions also. I know Josh and I have entered tons of citizen requests over the years. Any resident can put requests in.
Actually when you look at percentages of green/open space, Richmond is behind other cities.
Todd is correct in that the City’s urban forestry dept. needs to be strengthened. Church Hill and other neighborhoods are seeing this also. The City is actually losing more street trees per year than it is replacing. Get in touch if you like to know more, especially if you want to help.
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association has won two large grants to improve the greenway connection to the James River. The stairs were originally built by volunteers. We are growing impatient with the lack of progress with this also. The City needs to account for the grant money that WE PROCURED and spend it properly.
There is a soccer field behind the William Byrd Community House on Idlewood. I personally believe Belle Island should stay a natural site.
Well, it’s good to hear that there has been some action toward the roads. I’d love to put some requests in. Granted, it must be said that I’m just throwing out some ideas I have about the neighborhood… I’m not too involved with the happenings involving many many issues.
I’m sure that the city is lacking in trees and such, but it’s still a very green city in comparison to many other cities I have visited. I’m not saying that the city shouldn’t invest money in this (even though that’s basically what I said before) but I think there are other more important options that need to be tackled with said money.
As for helping with forestry in the city I’d be interested to learn of some activities that are happening for sure.
That’s great that there is some efforts with a connection to the river. I’m a frequent visitor to the river as I run down there 3-4 times a week, so any improvements would be very much appreciated. Great to hear.
And I know about the soccer fields on Idlewood, but that’s not my point. My point is that the city should use the land along the river moreso than it does (at least where it can). I agree it should stay a natural site, but I also feel that cutting the grass and sticking some soccer goals down there wouldn’t do anything but help the area and definitely wouldn’t hinder it remaining natural. Lines for a soccer field and bleachers or something to that effect may be a stretch, I agree, but utilizing the massive grassland should be at least considered even though it is an historic piece of land. I believe it is space that is being wasted.
There are stairs that access the river? Would love to know where to find them. From what street or intersection can they be accessed?
There are two sets of stairs that lead towards the river.
One at the southwest corner of the Hill. They are old concrete with a metal railing that goes along Hollywood Cemetery’s chain link fence. They go from the Oregon Hill Parkway to the north bank of the canal and meet up with the entrance to the North Bank bike trail near Dominion Power.
The other set is at the northeast corner and goes from the OH Parkway, under the Lee Bridge entrance ramp along 2nd St, down the north bank of the canal. They are a rough set of railroad tie steps put in by a volunteer trail builder. They lead under the Lee Bridge to the telephone pole bridge across the canalbed to the Belle Island parking lot.
In the last year or so, there has also been gravel ramps built near each set of stars which lead down to the north side of the canal also.
We would like to get at least one ramp improved and paved for wheelchair access. We would like to get an improved bridge across the canal. That goes back to the grant money the City is holding.
Thanks a bunch for that info. I visited Hollywood Cemetery recently and while I was standing at a bluff overlooking the river I saw some bikers riding along the banks below me. I wondered how they got down there. It would be great to have improved and well maintained access at these spots and for that matter all along the river, at least downtown. There are many parts of the downtown plan that I think are very worthwhile, but if I had to pick just one aspect it would be public access to the river–allowing parks, pathways and bike trails, but keeping it natural at the same time.
One way streets and pedestrian safety. From the expert point of view…
http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2230&start=220
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I visit the river parks frequently and often commute on my bike over Brown’s Island between work in the Slip and Oregon Hill. Personally I do not want to see more infrastructure built around the river.
I enjoy the parks because they are quiet and natural. I like the feeling of being in the woods. I think places with easy access like Belle Isle or Pony Pasture have enough visitors as it is.
I don’t see how making the entire park system as busy as Belle Isle is good for the woods, the river, or the animals that live there. If nothing else I would expect an increase in littering throughout the park. Let’s face it, the river is where people go to party in the summer. The volume of trash left on the rocks is really disheartening and sad.
The park system already sees 500k visitors a year, I’m not sure why we need to increase the number of people using the park. Of all the places in town that should be developed, the banks of the James should not be one of them. Let’s leave it natural.
Hopefully, this Spring the City Council will start the process of placing a Conservation Easement on the James River Park System. This important Easement would limit inappropriate development in these parks by setting guidelines and most importantly restrict the City’s ability to ever sell this very valuable property to some well healed developer should that opportunity arise. Many folks have worked toward this goal for several years now- to keep these wonderful Parks wonderful for generations to come. We are blessed with this great river!
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