Corner of Holly and Laurel this morning…

Corner of Holly and Laurel this morning…

Neighbor Charles Pool went to City Council tonight to speak against the very flawed Larus Park deal when the microphone system started to malfunction like crazy. After a recess was called to try to fix the sound problems, the meeting was finally adjourned till February 5.
IMG_2480 from Scott Burger on Vimeo.
From email announcement:
Good morning neighbors!
Here is the agenda for our first OHNA meeting of 2018 which will be held tomorrow, Tuesday night 1/23/2018 at 7 PM at the ST Andrews Parish House next to the church on S Laurel. The times are most certainly not set in stone but I want to keep things moving to make the most of your valuable time. Lots of important people to meet and things to discuss so please come if you can and tell/bring a neighbor. ALL residents are welcome!
Todd.
Agenda 1/23/2018
7:00 Welcome
7:05 Introduction to new sector 413 leader Lt Roberts and update from RPD
7:15 Update from VCU PD Officer Greg Felton
7:20 Update fro Councilman Agelasto’s office- Amy Roberts
7:30 Introduction to Planning Director Mark Olinger followed by presentation on Richmond 300 Master Plan and discussion regarding inappropriate B3 Zoning on Oregon Hill Cary Street Corridor (Cherry to Belvedere and Belvedere to Cumberland)
7:55 Discussion of Holly St playground stabilization and improvements
8:05 Proposed development 800 block W Cary
8:20 New business
1. $200 grant for clean up/improvements discussion
8:25 Closing remarks
8:30 Adjournment
From City of Richmond:
Street Closure – Idlewood Avenue and Belvidere Street Off-Ramp
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public WorksWHAT: Street Closure
WHEN: Starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 29 through ending at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 2
WHERE:
· Idlewood Avenue from Harrison to Cherry Streets and
· I-95 Downtown Expressway/Belvidere Street off ramp
BACKGROUND: The aforementioned areas will be closed to complete the final stages of paving and to convert two-way traffic and pavement markings for the roundabout construction at the intersection of Idlewood Avenue, Grayland Avenue and the I-95 off ramp. Please use caution and follow the detour signs.
Photo taken yesterday. Although work was done on broken water main this past week before the snow, it is still leaking.
P.S. Rain comes very late Monday into Tuesday

First, here is a photo taken today of the threatened four historic buildings at this main gateway to Oregon Hill.

Next, here are the front and rear renderings for the proposed apartment development at 801 W Cary St. This property is included in the recognized Oregon Hill Historic District.

This will certainly be a topic at the upcoming Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday.
In response to recent concerns, it look like Holly Street Playground area will be receiving more attention. Incoming Oregon Hill Neigborhood Association (OHNA) President Todd Woodson has requested a structural assessment from the City on the embankment that supports the playground. He is interested in the possibility of making this area, which is sort of an extension of S. Cherry St, more of a public walking trail than just a utility alley. Other neighbors have suggestions that include repaving the basketball court and establishing a tool lending program. These ideas will probably be discussed at the upcoming OHNA meeting next Tuesday.
This is the 1867 Michie Map showing the ravine that was filled in to make Holly Street playground. Thanks to neighbor Charles Pool for this…

I have mentioned ranked choice voting before on this site. The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association uses it to elect officers when there is more than 2 people running for a position. Now’s the time to further this important voting reform in Virginia.
From FairVoteVa.org:
Delegate Nick Freitas (Culpeper) has submitted HB 553, which would establish ranked choice voting in elections for Virginia’s statewide offices and General Assembly, along with Virginia’s members of the U.S. House and Senate. A similar bill was tabled in committee during the 2017 session.
Delegate Patrick Hope (Arlington) has also submitted HB 932, which would authorize Arlington County to use ranked choice voting in its local Board elections.
The 2018 session began on Wednesday, January 10. HB 553 will start in the Campaigns subcommittee of the House Committee on Privileges and Elections (P&E). We’re especially eager to recruit FairVote supporters in P&E members’ districts. You can visit Who’s My Legislator to search for your local delegate or check this map to see if you live in one of the committee’s districts.
I am appalled by the condition of our neighborhood playground. I have contacted the City of Richmond Dept of Parks and Rec regarding the filth and takeover by skateboarders and have received no response for one week.
…
There is vandalized material on the “basketball court” and dog poop is everywhere.
I have witnessed people smoking pot and “playing” with the swings in a rough way that could damage the equipment.
As a taxpayer, I feel that this area should be more closely monitored for littering and misuse of the property. I would appreciate any feedback from local residents.
Thank you!
Certainly this is not the first time that concerns like this have been expressed about Holly Street Playground. There has been a lot of tension in the past about how different ages have used and misused this space.
This Wednesday is a “Red Wednesday”, which means trash and recycling pickup. However, I am wondering about City trash pickup being delayed because of the MLK holiday this past Monday, and I am wondering about both City trash pickup and CVWMA recycling pickup being delayed due to morning snow.
Anyway, ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.
If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.
In recycling news, plastics are piling up in Western countries since China started refusing them.