Idlewood Roundabout Plan Becomes Funded and Closer To Reality

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock announced good news in regard to the Idlewood Roundabout proposal by making public an email from Councilperson Parker Agelasto:

Our roundabout is finally going to become a reality thanks to Parker.

Thanks
Jennifer
OHNA

From: Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member
Subject: Idlewood Roundabout

Hello everyone,

I wanted to provide an update regarding the Idlewood Roundabout. Each and everyone one of you contributed to a campaign to make this a priority. My fellow Councilmembers and the Administration heard you clearly. The project that has been discussed for nearly 15 years is finally going to be a reality.

Thanks to Brian Ohlinger for working with us to secure the $250,000 funding support from VCU for this initiative. This provided the necessary leverage for the project to get the attention of those at City Hall. Likewise the commitment from the St. Andrews Association to permit easements for the project made it very doable. The City has set aside $200,000 in the FY2014 capital improvement budget. This will leverage another $200,000 through VDOT’s revenue sharing program. The project thus has $650,000 and should begin over the next 12 months.

CAO Byron Marshall has been very helpful throughout the process. If you happen to see him, please thank him for his support of the Idlewood Roundabout. In the meantime, I will try to organize a public presentation on the project once the Department of Public Works has more specific information to share.

Sincerely,
Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District

Editor’s Note: This corresponds to number 5 of my own top ten issues for the neighborhood. With issues 4,5,6,7 all getting somewhat addressed (and a sincere hearty thanks to those who helped make that happen), it may be time to repopulate the list with some new issues.

Virginia War Memorial Memorial Day Activities

From the Virginia War Memorial website:

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony 5/27/2013 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Co-hosted by 11th District, American Legion. Virginia residents will officially commemorate this national holiday to honor and remember our valiant men and women who gave their lives in service to America at this outdoor ceremony. This event is an inspirational tribute dedicated to the proposition that Freedom is Never Free and includes patriotic music, memorial wreath laying and the playing of Taps. Governor Bob McDonnell is the invited speaker. Free, open to the public and ample free parking. Rain or shine.
Virginia War Memorial

Music at the Memorial 5/27/2013 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Thomas Jefferson High School Corps of Cadets Alumni Band will offer an informal concert of patriotic music in the Shrine of Memory for visitors. Memorial Day brings hundreds of people to the Memorial, and this group of talented musicians will help us all remember our American patriotism and the costs of freedom. Free.
Virginia War Memorial