Developers Respond To City Council’s Real Estate Tax Abatement Reform

RichmondBizsense.com has an article this morning on City Council’s actions in regard to reforming the City’s real estate tax abatement program.

From the article:

After nearly 10 months of fine tuning, Richmond City Council last month approved an updated real estate tax abatement ordinance, closing what it said were loopholes in the popular rehabilitation incentive program.

Developers who qualify for the program pay taxes on a property based on its value prior to any redevelopment or improvements for either five or seven years, depending on the building’s use. In some cases, this system can save a developer millions and encourages the revitalization of buildings that are 20 or more years old.

Most of the article consists of responses to the changes from developers, and does not include any quotes from citizens who raised concerns about abuse.

Councilperson Agelasto’s Meeting/Sierra Club Tour Of VCU On Wednesday

There are two events on Wednesday evening that may be of interest.

From City Council press release:

The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District will hold a district-wide meeting in the Richmond Central 5th Voter District. This is part of regular meetings Councilman Agelasto holds, which include information on his Richmond Central 5th Voter District goals and accomplishments; a thematic agenda of current interest; and, special guests. This meeting is free and open to the public and all Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The planned agenda/discussion topics for the upcoming meeting include:

· “Richmond Grows Gardens Program” Presentation
Ms. Victoria Campbell, Community Garden Coordinator
Richmond Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities

· Richmond Government Procurement Presentation
Ms. Tillie Jackson, Deputy Director
Richmond Department of Procurement Services

· “Richmond Alley Blitz Program” Presentation
Mr. Bobby Vincent, Deputy Director of Operations
Richmond Department of Public Works

· New Richmond Public Utilities Bill Design and Water
Drainage/Standing Water Presentation
Mr. Robert Steidel, Director
Richmond Department of Public Utilities

· Updates from The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman,
Richmond City Council Richmond Central 5th Voter District

WHEN Wednesday, June 11, 2014
6:30-8:00 p.m.

WHERE Maymont Park – Maymont Stone Barn
1700 Hampton Street; Richmond, Virginia

WHO The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman
Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, at 804.646.6050 (tel), or parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com (email)

Councilman Agelasto’s Upcoming Richmond Central 5th Voter District Meetings ___

Wednesday, August 13, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Randolph Community Center; 1425 Grayland Avenue; Richmond, VA

Wednesday, October 8, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond Public Schools – Swansboro Elementary School
3160 Midlothian Turnpike; Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, December 10, 2014; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Virginia War Memorial; 621 South Belvidere Street; Richmond, Virginia

And then from the Sierra Club Falls of the James:

Walking Tour of VCU’s Green Initiatives (click here for link)

Wednesday, June 11, 2014
7:00 PM

Shafer Court Dining Hall (VCU)
810 Cathedral Place, Richmond, VA

Steve Heinitz, with VCU’s Office of Sustainability, will lead us on a tour of several of VCU’s greening initiatives on campus: a green roof, a roof-mounted wind turbine, solar collectors integrated into the design of a parking deck, and more! Wear comfortable shoes and bring your water bottle. Parking on street or the Laurel St. parking deck at the corner of Laurel and W. Grace Streets.

Jefferson Davis Birthday Memorial Saturday Will Have Lots of Cannon Fire

From Hollywood Cemetery’s FaceBook page:

There will be a memorial for Jefferson Davis this Saturday at 9am. The memorial service is a family event complete with music, poems, and keynote speaker. There will also be a marching bagpipe band, honor guard and musket salute.

The event is free and open to the public.

I have been also informed that there will be cannon fire, lots. It will all be over by 11:00 am.

Upcoming Weekend Events at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch

Upcoming weekend events at the Richmond Public Library’s Main branch:

Friday, June 6
7-9pm
9th Annual Poetry Slam
Local poets compete for cash prizes on a first come, first serve basis. The Friends event is hosted by Tom Sanchez Prunier of SlamRichmond.

Saturday, June 7
10am-12noon
Master Gardener’s Help Desk/Seed Catalog
Master Gardeners can answer all your questions. Saturdays in June.

10:30am-12noon
Fun with Storytelling Workshop
Join local theatre artist Tyra Robinson in learning how to make reading fun for you and your child. Certification points available. Call 646-4768 to register. For parents, teachers, and child care providers.

11am-1pm
Poetry in the Park
Casual outdoor readings featuring local and regional poets Christine Stoddard and Burt Ritchie.

3-5pm
Vicarious Travelers
Richmond welcomes the 2014 Cabot Community Tour of the East Coast Greenway: A Celebration of Communities and Good. Sponsored by the Richmond Hostel.Refreshments.

WTVR News: Officials discuss rerouting trains around Richmond that transport volatile oil

WTVR CBS 6 recently had a new report on talks with the railroad company and government officials about possibly rerouting the trains that carry the volatile oil around Richmond. This follows the recent disaster in Lynchburg.

Excerpt:

Fire officials define the “worst case scenario” for this situation would involve 33 train cars derailing in Shockoe Bottom.

If that were to happen during peak business hours, the impact could stretch to a half mile radius encompassing hundreds of thousands of people.