

Author Archives: Scott
2nd Street Street Closure Tomorrow
From City press release:
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2018
For more information, contact:
Paige Hairston – (804) 646-3659Street Closure – 2nd Street
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public WorksWHAT: Street Closure
WHEN: Friday, March 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 2nd Street between Brown’s Island Way and Spring Street
BACKGROUND: The aforementioned area will be closed to allow re-striping of the travel lanes adjacent to the work zone. Access to Tredegar Street will be maintained. Through traffic should remain on the Lee Bridge. The street will remain closed for the duration of the striping. Please observe the work zone signage and follow the detour signs.
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Letter To The Editor: New structures in Fan should fit architecture
Richmond resident Nancy Everett has a ‘Correspondent Of The Day’ Letter To The Editor in today’s Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper:
Here’s part of it:
Certainly to each his own, but it seems the city should be concerned with preserving the style of architecture that attracts so many to Richmond. A case in point is the proposed structure on the 800 block of Cary Street.
It saddens me that historically significant buildings are not protected and preserved, but it horrifies me that there is no requirement that they be at least replaced with a building that fits the style of the surrounding neighborhood. I venture to say that, as has been the case historically, whenever a building is put up in the Fan that meets the current taste, it becomes an extreme regret 10 to 20 years down the road. The city should consider how it can preserve the unique architecture and vibe of our historic districts rather than risk them in the future.
RRFP BENEFIT + GUMMING TAPE RELEASE at Mojo’s Saturday
From the FaceBook event page:
LIPID
(Cary Street Rap Punk-Featuring Members of Kuni, Leather Daddy, and No Tomorrow)BUTT
(you already know them you already L.U.V. them)HAIRCUT
(you want it you need it ‘Shutting Down’ is a 7in you should bump almost daily)GUMMING
(new tape out on Not Normal!)BUFFALO TOFU BITES AT 8 MUSIC AT 9
8-10 dollars ALL OF IT FOR RRFP.
Portion of Gumming merch sales to RRFP.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project (RRFP) seeks to further Reproductive Justice by providing practical and financial support for abortion services in Virginia and surrounding communities. RRFP strives to be a resource to the community by engaging in grassroots advocacy for the full spectrum of reproductive rights.
More info: http://www.rrfp.net/

L’Opossum: ‘The South’s Best Restaurant’
Southern Living magazine released its annual “The South’s Best” reader survey results and L’Opossum restaurant was declared the best in the entire South.
Excerpt:
As the accolades for L’Opossum keep coming—Shannon was named a James Beard Award Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist in 2016—guests are smitten by his refined and irreverent restaurant, a major player in the city’s dining renaissance.
An 8-foot, 6-inch coppery reproduction of Michelangelo’s David greets guests at the front door, and 12-inch versions adorn the booths. The dark red dining room ushers guests from gritty to glam in a moment. You’re in Oregon Hill, and you’re out of this world.
New Restaurant Opens – Peddler On Pine Street
After a long wait, new neighborhood restaurant Peddler On Pine Street is now open. Its location is on the alley behind the Fine Foods store on Idlewood.
238 S. Pine Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
(804) 729-6475
www.peddleronpinest.com
From their site:
Order from our full menu for pick up at 238 South Pine Street in Richmond or we can deliver your order within the VCU Area! We deliver West to the Boulevard, East to 14th Street, North to I-95, and South to the James River.

A Salute To William Rankin
On this week of St. Patrick’s Day, we tip our hats to Irishman William Rankin who exactly 141 years ago on this day on March 17, 1877 served as Chief Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Richmond.
According to his November 9, 1913 obituary in the Times Dispatch, William Rankin was a native of County Louth, Ireland, and “Because of his kindness and generosity to the poor, he was called by his associates, ‘St. Vincent de Paul.'” A photograph of Mr. Rankin appeared with his obituary, which at the time was an honor afforded only the most respected citizens.
We salute and respect the contributions that Mr. Rankin, who owned much of the 800 block of West Cary Street, made to our city and neighborhood. We appreciate the fine building that he constructed at 815 W. Cary (now Sweet Frogs).
While these landmarks remain, the history of Mr. Rankin and the Irish contributions to our great city will be remembered and appreciated.


Petition Launched- No805W—Save Oregon Hill Historic Buildings
A Change.org petition was launched online which addresses the J.D. Lewis Construction Company (According to a recent media report, these are the owners: “A group made up of Kevin O’Leary and James Flanigan, who own J.D. Lewis Construction Management, and local developer Larry Cluff are assembling 13 parcels near the corner of West Cary and South Laurel streets …”). There will be other written petitions at the public demonstration this afternoon.

From the petition language:
We, the concerned citizens of the City of Richmond, value our irreplaceable Historic Resources. They are the foundation and character of our beloved City. The antebellum buildings at 800 block of West Cary Street are classic examples of solid 19th century Virginian architecture that deserve to conserved and repurposed. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991, this iconic street-scape could serve as a beautiful frontage to your new development.
We, the undersigned, urge you to avoid demolishing the historic buildings at 800 block West Cary Street and incorporate them into your designs.
Open High PTSA: Save My Seat!
The PTSA at Open High School is raising money to replace broken chairs in their classrooms. Please click this link to donate:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050d4daaad2ea46-save
OHNA Press Release with Letter In Regard To W. Cary Development
From press release:
For Immediate Release March 16, 2018
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, in alliance with the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, is committed to ensuring a successful and historically sensitive development on the 800 block of W Cary Street. After meeting with the developers and reviewing the interpretations of the Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review regarding the plan of development for this project, we and other interested parties have identified serious concerns and seek clarification on a number of issues regarding allowances made that may be inconsistent with the established zoning parameters for the applicable zoning designation for this area and may cause irreparable damage to this historic district.. We find it in the best interest of the Oregon Hill Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the residents of the City of Richmond, to fairly and accurately apply these regulations in a lawful manner.
In light of the fact that the existing buildings on this block are profoundly important to the intrinsic fabric of our historic district, we ask that the city be especially cautious and re-examine their determinations cited in our attached letter. These buildings date from the 1830’s and later into the 19th century and stand as a testament to the craftsmanship and ingenuity of our forefathers. They deserve to be saved and preserved for the future.
This alliance of neighborhood advocacy groups has chosen to retain Andrew McRoberts of the Sands Anderson Law firm to represent our interests in this matter. We hereby respectfully present to the City of Richmond as well as to interested members of the public, an attached letter sent to the Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review outlining our concerns.
Sincerely,
Charles Todd Woodson, president
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association