More followup to the impetus. But why is it in the TD’s ‘Entertainment’ section?

A task force of Virginia Commonwealth University professors and administrators is recommending a new corporate research review committee to implement updated guidelines on business-sponsored research at the school.

Dear Monroe Park Campus Community Advisory Group:

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, at noon, VCU will conduct our once-a-month emergency siren test on both the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses to ensure that the sirens are in proper working order. This test also serves to ensure that the siren batteries are fully charged. Unlike the test near the beginning of each semester which is a two-minute wail, the monthly tests consist of a one minute wail of the siren.

A reminder about text messaging and our VCU Alert Web site: text messaging is one of VCU’s primary channels for rapid communications and information. Text messages will be used for notifications about emergencies and closings and delays for inclement weather. There is no cost for enrolling. If you haven’t done so already, you may sign up for text messaging at www.vcu.edu/alert/notify. You can also subscribe on this same web page for email alerts. Emergency information also will be available on the VCU Alert Web site at www.vcu.edu/alert, which is also accessible off the VCU homepage at www.vcu.edu, and if you have signed up for them, you will receive an e-mail alert in a real emergency.

With this routine now well established, I will only e-mail the Community Advisory Group when there is any enhancement or change about which you would want to know. And please, do not hesitate to forward this email to your neighbors, to help spread the word about the siren test.

Sincerely,

SAM

Sue Ann Messmer
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
and Vice President for External Relations
phone: (804) 828-1200
fax: (804) 828-7532
e-mail: samessme@vcu.edu

letter on telephone pole on Pine Street

Here are the plans filed with City at the tail end of last week (link goes to large .pdf file which may take time to load).

The proposal calls for the alley to be one way going north.
The building is still nearly 4 stories high on the South West corner.
There will be parking along the alley but no landscaping.

Click here to see earlier post on this subject.

On Monday October 6, 2008 at 1:30 p.m at the 5th floor conference center, the Planning Commission will consider ordinances 2008-199 and 2008-200 approving a spot blight abatement plan for 816 Riverside Park and declaring a public necessity to authorize the acquisition of 816 Riverside Park for the purpose of implementing the spot abatement plan.

It should be noted that this structure has been a nuisance for a while, attracting squatters and curiosity seekers. While rundown and neglected, it is a pre-Civil War house that sits next to Hollywood Cemetery. The neighborhood is against demolition since the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Oregon Hill Historic District. I won’t get into its history of ownership here, but lets just say it has been interesting.

The Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council (OHHIC) is an all-volunteer nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to providing affordable housing for first time home-buyers while restoring Oregon Hill through renovations, protective easements, and sensitive infill construction.

It’s too late to register as a member in order to vote or run in the upcoming election for the Board of Directors, but its never too late to become a member and volunteer. Everyone is welcome to attend the annual meeting on Sunday, September 28th at 4 pm at the Jacob House (619 W. Cary St. (at Pine)).

Topics at this year’s meeting include:
- Voting for new board members
- An update on the development of the 600 block of S. Laurel St.
- Discussion on making the Jacob House more available to local nonprofits
And more!

At last month’s Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, the membership voted to recognize and reward Marty, Mark, and John for their part in apprehending a robbery suspect this past July. Since then, I have heard that federal officials became interested in the suspect concerning some previous crimes.

The awards were rather meager- restaurant gift certificates, and ceremonial keys to the neighborhood. But as I stated in the letter that accompanied them, neighborhood residents are very thankful for their action. As King, I did offer Marty a knighthood, but he graciously declined.

Last of the current trilogy of planning posts. As mentioned before, Oregon Hill residents are very concerned about Ved Jain’s plans for Belvidere St. It does not help that rezoning has still not gone through. It does not help that greenway plans still need to be settled. Click on this link to see the plans submitted so far (link loads a large .pdf file, may take some time), and then read below for one resident’s written concerns (please feel free to add more in comments):

Read more >

Just a reminder, that this Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 P.M., there will
be a ceremony to dedicate recently placed Confederate soldiers’ markers in
the Confederate Section ofthe cemetery. There will be artillery (cannon)
fire at approximately 2:45 P.M.