In time for the UDC Committee meeting on Thursday morning, comes this OHHIC analysis of Venture Richmond’s amphitheater proposal (Pool). (This links to a PDF that is very large and may take some time to load).
Will the City and Venture Richmond consider these 60 pages or will they continue to blow off input from Oregon Hill residents?
It would be interesting to see what Venture Richmond’s Amphitheater Proposal is.
Here’s Venture Richmond’s proposal.
https://www.oregonhill.net/2013/07/30/jack-berry-presentation-to-ohna/
It would be extremely poor planning to aim the loudest outdoor music stage in Richmond directly at the Va. War Memorial and the Oregon Hill neighborhood. Our residents have purchased their homes with the understanding that the zoning will be enforced and excessive noise and crowds will not be allowed in the RO-3 zoning for the area above the canal. Historically the area above the canal was part of the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
While Venture Richmond Director Jack Berry did meet twice with OHNA, he unfortunately paid little regard to our objections to the amphitheater plan (you can see this for yourself in the video of his last presentation). OHNA conveyed by letter to Mr. Berry our opposition to any damage to the historic James River and Kanawha Canal and, specifically, our opposition to removing any portion of the south bank of the canal. Mr. Berry also ignored OHNA’s requests that Venture Richmond limit the number of performances at the amphitheater to 15 days per year and to limit the times of the performances to 10:00 pm on weeknights and to 11:00 pm on weekends.
Venture Richmond’s outdoor venue on Brown’s Island is ideally suited for the largest stage location. There is not a residential neighborhood nearby, and the nearby office towers are largely unoccupied at night and on the weekend when the performances are usually scheduled. Brown’s Island is largely surrounded by water, and this facilitates controlling the crowds that access the island over the several walkways. Parking is readily available near Brown’s Island because the vehicles accessing the office towers during the day have generally left by the time that performances begin, leaving vast downtown parking areas. During the Folk Festival with the largest stage on Brown’s Island, two smaller tented stages could be placed above and below the canal at “Tredegar Green”.
I’m an Oregon Hill homeowner and I have not been blown off by Venture Richmond. You do not speak for all residents. I’m in full favor of this project.
Hey Scott,
Would you please give me a call! it’s Kelly Avellino, from NBC12. 804-912-3926! Doing a story on the amphitheater today.
Thank you!
Josh, you are a landlord of a property in Oregon Hill.
To quote a neighbor, “You don’t even live in Oregon Hill anymore so any noise, traffic overflow & parking issues wouldn’t affect you. The way things were rammed thru the approval process for the 2nd Street Connector & Redskins practice stadium should have every city resident concerned over how our city conducts business.”
The canal belongs to the entire city, not just Oregon Hill. I must say though that Charles did a helluva job on this project. I look forward to reading the entire thing when I have the time.
What makes you say it is the loudest stage in Richmond? It would only be used occasionally. City living is a noisy proposition. I frequently hear concerts down at a Brown’s island. I hear the canons from Hollywood cemetery, the fireworks over the James and even the Diamond. I like the hustle and bustle of the City, though I could do with a few list police, fire and ambulance sirens. If you want silence you should go to the suburbs.
I don’t see a brick wall not a part of the original canal standing in the way of an ampitheater that would benefit the entire city. The canal was an engineering project built solely to promote Westward expansion and economic development. George Washington would not get sentimental about altering his design for the needs of the future.
Aside from a few typos I hope the above was clear. Regarding noise, the current main stage along 2nd St is even closer to the War Memorial. Up till now that hasn’t be a concern. The slope of the hill should channel most of the sound up and away from Oregon Hill. The reason I hear Brown’s island is I am in a high rise facing the river. Oregon Hill is comprised nearly entirely of small homes away from the edge of the hill. Unless they start holding death metal concerts there any noise generated should be tolerable and infrequent.