While parking is still of concern, VCU is taking steps to become more of a residential university. Recent articles contain announcements of new developments and feedback.

There is also news on VCU’s recycling front.

And if that was not enough, there is also this email from Oregon Hill resident and Monroe Park Advisory Council member Todd Woodson, which expresses concern over the way VCU crime is reported, and can be seen in the context of the latest (2008) postings of crime in Virginia colleges by FBI:

Friends-

I left our last meeting with more questions than answers regarding safety statistics and in particular, enforcement statistics for Monroe Park. Please find below a link for VCU’s 2009 Safety Report. It is odd that although VCU includes statistics for Cumberland ave, 100 block Pine St and 100 block Cherry St which are all part of the Historic Oregon Hill Neighborhood and not campus, there is no mention of statistics within Monroe Park itself:

http://www.vcu.edu/police/campussafetyreport2009.pdf

Of interest are the statistics for non-student liquor and drug offenses on unspecified public property which essentially doubled from 2007 to 2008 (block by block figures for public property provided by RPD) :

2008: non student liquor offenses on public property: 168
” ” ” drug ” ” ” ” ” 151
2007: non student liquor offenses on public property: 80
” ” ” drug ” ” ” ” ” 78

It would be most helpful to address safety issues in Monroe Park if offenses in the Park could be logged and consequently tracked by the Council and/or a Richmond Police entity. I know we have asked for these statistics many times in the past and as was discussed, we really havent had any consistent presence at meetings from either RPD or VCU Police during our tenure.

In addition, I have included an eye opening report from the Commonwealth Times October 2008 issue regarding VCU crime statistics:

http://eblackstock.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/campus-crime-statistics-subject-to-interpretation/

I think that considering the amount of money hopefully being directed toward the park, the safety issues are something we as a group really need to focus on- especially the ever present substance abuse and collateral safety issues. As we’ve said before, there seems to be an absence as well as major confusion over day to day law enforcement in Monroe park. I believe we should address this at our next meeting and of course invite RPD and VCU police. Hopefully someone from higher up in those respective organizations will attend.

thanks,

Todd.

Fourth Precinct

.The Community Assisted Public Safety (CAPS) meeting will be held:

. Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: Linwood Holton Elementary School

1600 W Laburnum Avenue

Please bring your concerns, comments and suggestions to this meeting in order that we may address them properly.

Thank you

Jacki Page

Sr. Customer Services Representative

804-646-4150

This past week the City put up many ‘No Parking’ signs up for performing vacuum leaf removal on Monday morning.

In a recent VCU’s Telegram for Students, this bullet point appeared:

2. Changes to Parking on West Cary Street
VCU is considering requesting the City of Richmond change the parking restriction on the south side of West Cary Street, the 900 and 1000 blocks, from no restriction to 2-hour parking, similar to the majority of campus streets. The change is being considered because of the opening of the Cary Street Recreation Center and the demand for parking near this new facility (I added boldness here- ed.). Please direct comments to Paul Walker, manager of Parking & Transportation, at prwalker@vcu.edu no later than March 12.

While this is in congruence with making the Cary Street corridor more urban-business-friendly (something that the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is in favor of), it stands in contrast to what the VCU administration said during its campaign against the neighborhood:

E. Objection to parking. This project will not increase the enrollment at VCU, and therefore does not increase campus parking requirements. .

Of course, most Oregon Hill residents are not surprised in the least by this. It fits in with the rest of the Student Recreational Center controversy. (Again, OHNA was never against VCU students getting a new facility. The location and implementation were the issues). Hopefully, someday soon, VCU will take more positive steps to allow healing.

From City of Richmond press release:

The city of Richmond is preparing to start construction on a traffic signal upgrade project to improve intersection safety for motorists and pedestrians.

Who: City of Richmond Division of Transportation Engineering

What: Traffic signal improvements

When: Monday, March 1 through September 17

Where: Belvidere Street and Main Street; Belvidere Street and Franklin Street

Scope of Work: Installation of new mast arm signal poles and pedestrian pedestal poles; installation of pedestrian countdown indicators; installation of new wheelchair ramps; newly painted pavement markings; sidewalk restoration

For more information on city services and schedules, please visit us on line at www.RichmondGov.com.

###

It was announced last month that Oregon Hill resident Maurice Henderson was planning to run for the 5th District seat of the Richmond City School Board. Now, this month, Henderson was appointed to the Board to fill out the rest of departing Board representative’s term. Henderson has told supporters that he still plans to stand for election to the seat this November.

Local political blogger Jonathan Mallard has both the City’s proposed Richmond Public Schools budget link and some commentary. Former elected school board rep Carol Wolf has even more commentary on her blog, Save Our Schools.

From the proposal, it looks like Open High will have less field trips and staffing development.

Franklin Street in downtown should be back open soon. It was closed this weekend while new HVAC equipment was replaced in the Main branch of the Richmond Public Library.

Main is Oregon Hill’s local public library branch, not to be confused with other libraries.

Oregon Hill resident Maurice Henderson is planning to run for the Richmond School Board.

There is an upcoming meeting to introduce him on 2nd Baptist Church, 1401 Idlewood Avenue on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 2:30 P.M.

This is an opportunity to meet and ask him questions regarding his candidacy for this position vacated by the former representative, Betsy Carr, who ascended to the position of 69th district representative in the General Assembly.

Also,

The next 5th District meeting with Councilperson Jewell will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. It will be held at the Binford Middle School, 1701 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.

In addition,

The Mayor’s State of the City Annual Address will be next Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. It will be held at the Richmond Center Stage, Carpenter Theater, 6th & Grace.

But please note: The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association holds its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, at 7 pm.

There’s an elm tree on the 300 block of S. Pine Street that is scheduled to be removed. City workers believe a split in the trunk will lead to future problems if it is not removed. More details about this and other tree removals can be found by clicking here:
http://www.richmondgov.com/Departments/publicworks/docs/listTreeRemovals.pdf

Also, from a City press release:

Richmond Tree Stewards 2010
Are you interested in learning more about proper tree care? The City of Richmond boasts one of the top urban forests in the country, and now you have the opportunity to learn more about the thriving trees in our community.
Who: Richmond residents interested in learning the proper methods of planting and maintaining trees by becoming Tree Stewards
What: Richmond Tree Stewards 2010

Where: Tuesdays at the Round House in Byrd Park and one Saturday class, location TBA

When: Every Tuesday, February 9 – April 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. – noon

Background: Class topics include tree identification, tree biology, soil characteristics, planting and care, health and maintenance, and proper pruning methods. The Tree Planting class will be taught by area tree care industry professionals.

Registration is $95 for city residents and $150 for non-city residents. Each participant is asked to commit to 20 hours of community service upon completion of the program. Tree Stewards who completed the class between 2004-2009 may sit in the classes at no charge. The registration deadline is Friday, January 15, 2010. Checks should be made to Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation. To download a registration form log onto www.treestewards.rrpfoundation.org or call 646-6785 for more information.