Bicycle wheel for sale on Craigslist:
Velocity Deep V (front) – $80 (Oregon Hill)
Loved this wheel but I’ve upgraded and I’m trying to create some shed-space. It’s in good shape with a handful of small cosmetic nicks here and there. Gimme a shout if you’re interested.
On March 8, 1991, an article appeared in the Times-Dispatch.
The article was about how VCU was trying to get control of the maintenance of Monroe Park and had a plan to cut down 37 of the mature trees. VCU said that the trees were “improperly placed, damaged, dangerous and add nothing to the function or aesthetics of the park,” and stated that removal of the trees would, “make the park safer.”
Fortunately this maintenance agreement was not approved in 1991 because of neighborhood objections, but if the newly proposed lease is approved, VCU would be in charge of the maintenance of the trees and would be given carte blanche to remove as many trees as it wanted without any recourse. Most of the trees that were slated to be removed in 1991 are still in the park, and there is no reason to think that VCU would not again want them removed, “to make the park safer.”
As a result of VCU’s attempt to remove 20% of the mature trees in Monroe Park in 1991, the Monroe Park Advisory Council was established with neighborhood representation from Oregon Hill, the Fan, and Carver. The proposed Monroe Park Conservancy has NO neighborhood representation, but includes four VCU administrators, and four city administrators.
I mentioned the Vicarious Travelers series earlier this week, but there is another event at the Main Library this evening-
Jan. 31 at 6 PM, director Dave Miller will present his documentary Breathing Life Into The Chesapeake at Richmond Public Library’s Main branch. Although not officially part of the RVA Environmental Film Fest, it is a free screening. Breathing Life into the Chesapeake was a Runner Up finalist in the first annual RVA EFF Local Documentary Contest.
Event Link: http://www.richmondpubliclibrary.org/eventListDay.asp?date=1%2F31%2F2014
Former neighbor and citizen activist Silver Persinger documented a very interesting part of a recent informal City Council meeting. Click here for the video.
From Docket Review portion of the meeting. Discussion of Ordinances 2014-2, 2014-3, and 2014-4.
Comments from City Assessor James Hester on Tax Exemptions [4:45].
Parker Agelasto asked if the administration had contemplated having Venture Richmond donate the land to the city to achieve the same result of exempting the land from property taxes. Jeannie Welliver from the City’s Department of Economic and Community Development seemed to be on the verge of melting down and looked physically ill [11:25]. Jack Berry then argued why Venture Richmond should be granted the exemption and was adamant that Venture Richmond was not interested in donating the land to the City [13:44].
Special thanks to Mr. Bergin for answering questions about parking decal regulations at last night’s Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.
He sent this message this morning:
Hello all,
Attached as a PDF is the city code, Criteria for establishment of a
residential restricted parking district. I want to make a few points on
what we discussed:1. You should have a minimum of 10 contiguous block faces, and as I
stated legal explained to me that if not contiguous, the separation of
blocks should be reasonable. Also, remember it is not blocks but block
faces.
2. Fewer than 60% of the properties within the proposed district are
owner-occupied. The calculation is based on the proposed district, not
an individual block face, and it is the property not the number of
households at a property.
3. There is nothing to prevent you from having different hourly and
time-restricted regulations in your district.Please read section 102-301 which thoroughly discusses the process of
establishing the district.Let me know when or if I can be of assistance.
Good luck and thanks,
Steven D. Bergin
Department of Public Works
Parking Division
The snow from last night made Oregon Hill into a winter wonderland this morning.
Snow angels outside Pine Street Baptist Church:
Wintery Parsons Linear Park overlooked Belvidere Street:
Wednesday, January 29 – William Byrd Community House, St. Andrew’s School, Richmond public schools, J.Sargeant Reynolds are closed today due to inclement weather. VCU classes are delayed until 10 am. University of Richmond delayed until 10 am.
Click here to download a Monroe Park Ordinance and Lease.
This will most likely not get voted on by City Council anytime soon. But it could provide an interesting discussion point at the ‘Community Conversation on Monroe Park’ next Tuesday at the Nile Restaurant.
As one neighbor remarked,
This lease is a pretty outrageous document! I am just flabbergasted that the City Council would consider such an arrangement:
The Mayor is given the authority to appoint one-third of the board, and the administration is given the authority to approve any changes to the planned improvements.
The Tenant (Monroe Park Conservancy) pays only $1 annual rent, and pays no real estate taxes.
The Tenant shall establish polices of the use of the park, subject to approval of Richmond’s Chief Administrative Officer.The Landlord (the City) pays for any damages to the park.
The Landlord, with VCU, pays for all police and security.
The Landlord at no charge supplies all gas, water, electricity, sewer, and storm water expenses.
The Landlord is responsible for repairing and replacing all structural elements.
From Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock:
Hello all
OHNA will be holding its monthly meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 28th at WBCH at 7 pm.
Steve Bergin from the city will join us to discuss parking in Oregon Hill.
Thanks
Jennifer
From C. Wayne Taylor’s website, City Hall Review:
January 27, 2014
VIA EMAIL TO:
Ms. Lou Brown Ali, Chief of Staff, lou.ali@richmondgov.com
The Honorable Mr. Baliles and Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA
Re: George Washington’s Canal at Tredegar Green
Dear Mr. Baliles and Members of Council,
Mr. Dwight Jones, Mayor of Richmond and President of Venture Richmond, wants to drastically reshape George Washington’s canal at Tredegar Green. Only a portion of the channel bottom would remain authentic.
Mr. Jones claims the canal berm interferes with visibility from the northern portion of Tredegar Green to the southern portion. Mr. Jones knows that raising the ground level of the northern portion of Tredegar Green would increase visibility to the southern portion.
Why is Mr. Jones proposing to lower the ground level of the northern portion of Tredegar Green?
Sincerely yours,
C. Wayne Taylor, Publisher
City Hall Review LLC
CityHallReview.com
Copy: City Clerk, Better Government Richmond, News media, Interested parties