Proposed Cell Phone Tower Is Still An Issue

Neighborhood representatives recently received this ‘Section 106’ note in regard to the proposed cell phone towner on the 800 block of W.Cary that the neighborhood association has opposed.

This is to notify you that a new comment has been added to the following filing:
Comment Source: BirchCo, Inc.
Comment Date: 11/19/2019
Comment Text: Please note that the request to provide mock ups and photo documentation of same is still being considered and worked on by the applicant. Additional information will be provided to all parties as soon as it is available.

File Number: 0008777730
TCNS Number: 188256
Purpose: Update
Original Purpose: Collocation Submission Packet
Has the Communications Tower or Non-Tower Structure been the subject of SHPO/THPO review? No
Notification Date: 7AM EST 10/02/2019

Applicant: T-Mobile Northeast, LLC
Consultant: BirchCo, Inc.
Positive Train Control Filing Subject to Expedited Treatment Under Program Comment: No
Site Name: VA71951C / 805 West Cary
Site Address: 805 West Cary Street
Detailed Description of Project:
Site Coordinates: 37-32-40.0 N, 77-27-7.0 W
City: Richmond
County: RICHMOND CITY
State:VA
Lead SHPO/THPO: Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Phone Tower Proposed and Opposed

T-Mobile
c/o Adrian Berezowsky
BirchCo, Inc.
38 Heritage Lane
Lagrangeville NY 12540

Dear Mr Berezowsky,

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, inc met on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 and discussed the proposal to place a cell phone tower within the Oregon Hill Historic District at 805 W Cary Street, Richmond Va 23220. The group unanimously voted to oppose any Cell Phone tower or any additional height being added to the building at 805 w Cary Street. Oregon Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and we find that adding a cell phone tower or any additional height to this building, which is located in a gateway to the neighborhood, would significantly degrade the integrity of the historic fabric of our historic neighborhood. It would be visible from many buildings listed as contributing structures to the National Register and would serve as an eyesore upon entering the neighborhood through this corridor. It would set a terrible precedent for blighting the visual and aesthetic appeal of historic resources located in the historic Richmond, Virginia area.

Please know that we will take all legal measures in our power to defeat such an ill conceived proposal should you intend to pursue it.

Sincerely,

Charles T. Woodson, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, inc.

Sonic Coming To Oregon Hill

According to an article in Richmond Bizsense, in addition to a Pita Pit, the 805 W. Cary development will include a non-drive-through Sonic fast food restaurant.

Sonic has signed a lease to take over about 1,500 square feet in the 805W project – a four-story, 100-unit apartment development with about 8,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space that’s under construction at 805 W. Cary St.

Sonic will join Pita Pit as one of the the first commercial tenants of the 805W mixed-use development near VCU.

While it’s known nationally for its traditional drive-in and drive-thru window service, Sonic will forgo its typical store model for the 805W spot in favor of a dine-in concept – the chain’s first in the state.

Pita Pit Chain Coming To Oregon Hill

Richmond Bizsense is reporting that a chain restaurant will be part of the new development at S.Laurel and W.Cary Streets.

Pita Pit signed a lease in recent weeks to take about 900 square feet in the 805W project – a four-story, 100-unit apartment development with about 8,000 square feet of ground floor space – that’s under construction at 805 W. Cary St.

West Cary Street Closed Saturday

From the City:

Street Closure – West Cary Street
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works
WHAT: Street Closure
WHEN: Saturday, May 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: West Cary Street between South Harrison and South Linden streets (located in the 5th Council District)
BACKGROUND: The area will be closed to use a crane to perform HVAC work at 1000 West Cary Street. Motorists are urged to use caution and follow the detour signs.

ONE VCU Master Plan Includes New ‘Capsule Dorm’ On West Cary

Further examination of the new ONE VCU Master Plan reveals an ambitious experiment for the Monroe campus- a new ‘capsule dorm’ for West Cary Street.

The document details, recently approved by the VCU Board Of Visitors, include the design, construction, and operation of a new type of temporary dormitory for a small subset of the university’s students. The building will be part of a new complex built on the current location of the Thalhimer Tennis Center on the north side of the 900 block of West Cary Street.

This concept is modeled on a known phenomenon in downtown Tokyo, Japan- ‘kapuseru hoteru‘ or ‘pod hotels’. These structures typically feature a large number of small bed-sized rooms known as capsules that are available for short term rental. The VCU capsule dorm, informally called “The W.Cary Street Pods”, will provide basic overnight accommodation for VCU undergraduate students who voluntarily aspire to minimalist lifestyles. Special VCU student backpacks and digital access rights will be part of the program.

A VCU dean who did not wish to be identified by name had this to say:

This idea comes to fruition at a time when the university is innovating new ways to make campus residential life more affordable. It is also noteworthy that the City of Richmond is now codifying STR’s (short term rentals) and that our own Sustainability Department is tackling traditional dorm outputs.

There will be a full briefing on ‘pod life’ at VCU for the public at a later date at the VCU ICA.