Monroe Park Conservancy Announces That Funds Are Secured

Richmond Magazine reports:

“The Monroe Park Conservancy announced today that it has raised $3 million for the project, half of the $6 million facelift planned for the city’s oldest public park in the heart of Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus. The city will cover the other half.”

Oregon Hill used to border Monroe Park and neighbors still regard it as an important part of our public life.

No mention of donors other than the City.

“The conservancy has raised $1.3 million toward the goal since this past spring, but Massie declined to name specific organizations or donors to the project.

In spring 2014, Richmond City Council approved leasing the 8-acre public park to the conservancy for 30 years. The nonprofit planned to raise funds to cover its half of the bargain over the next year and begin construction in fall 2015, after the UCI Road World Championships wrapped up. Raising the money proved more difficult than expected and set the project back, Massie said this past spring.

The project’s designs have already been approved, but council must vote to accept the private funds before construction can begin. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for November. Afterward, the park will be closed for 12 to 18 months while construction is completed.”

There are a lot of rumors about how the renovation plans are changing…

14344213_10154681596009391_1178124050075664201_n14359098_10154681596099391_6810054961857627178_n

Reminders: City Council Forum Tonight/Tackle Sidewalks Thursday

It’s a busy time of year in Richmond, and there are more events to keep track of than you have ever heard of.

So just count this as a quick reminder.

City Council candidate forum tonight at 6 pm at Diversity Thrift. I know Oregon Hill’s councilperson, Parker Agelasto, is looking forward to it. (Open Source RVA and WRIR will be taping on Tuesday and broadcasting the forum on Friday Sept. 23rd at 9 am. WRIR is also a co sponsor of this forum and the subsequent Tuesday candidate forums to be held at Diversity Richmond. So if you can’t make it, be sure to tune in.)

On Thursday, please volunteer to help take care of Oregon Hill sidewalks. Pine Street neighbor Stephenie Harrington is hoping to get a good group. There is also a second day of sidewalk cleaning planned on Saturday, 9/24, 9:00am.

“Let Gary (and Jill) Debate”

This morning Libertarians gathered in Monroe Park to rally for their Presidential candidate, Gary Johnson. Part of the reason for it was to also protest his exclusion from the upcoming Presidential debates. As the rally gained steam, some of them marched around the perimeter of the park holding signs and passing out campaign literature.
img_7293

At one point a group met up with a wedding party near the churches.
img_7297

There was also what I think was a “Spirit Walk” by VCU students, complete with VCU police escort.
img_7292

Assault Near VCU Student Rec Center

The Times Dispatch is reporting an aggravated assault that took place late last night on the 100 block of S. Cherry Street.

Police said in an alert to students sent at 1:05 a.m. that the man saw two unknown men allegedly trespassing on private property and approached them when he was punched in the eye by one of the men, then struck in the face by the other. The two assailants left the scene in an unknown direction.

Richmond In Civil War’s End Photos Tour On Saturday

From National Park Service press release:

RICHMOND, Va. – This fall, park rangers from Richmond National Battlefield Park invite the public to enjoy a heaping helping of history while being active outdoors. Through the park’s Half-Day Hikes series, visitors can explore a variety of historical topics at the dates and locations listed below – all while enjoying the great outdoors! All programs are free and do not require registration.

September 17 – Richmond in Photographs (3-4 hours). Over 300 photographs were taken in Richmond in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. This walking tour will focus exclusively on these images of a vanished landscape, providing participants a unique “then and now” opportunity to view the city. Ranger Mike Gorman is an expert in Richmond’s Civil War photographs and will lead the tour. Expect extensive uphill and downhill walking; visitors are advised to wear comfortable footwear, wear sunscreen, and bring water. Tour begins at Tredegar Visitor Center (470 Tredegar Street, Richmond) at 12:30 p.m.

placesfront