Author Archives: Scott

Study: Older, smaller buildings better for cities

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From the Associated Press article:

Neighborhoods and commercial areas with a mix of older, smaller buildings make for more vibrant, walkable communities with more businesses, nightlife and cultural outlets than massive newer buildings, according the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s study.
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“There is a lot of economic capability in older and smaller buildings and in historic districts that’s often overlooked,” she said.
The study is the start of a larger initiative also examining Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities with less robust real estate markets. Researchers also want to know whether their findings hold up in younger and smaller cities as well or less prosperous areas.
“We hear from time to time, ‘well, it’s just easier to tear it down and to start over,'” Meeks said. “So we feel compelled to put the strongest argument forward that it’s worth the effort to invest in these places, not just from a cultural standpoint but from an economic standpoint.”

Higher Speeding Fines For W. Cary Street

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City Council passed a measure on Monday that places higher fines on speeders on West Cary Street between Addison and Cherry streets near VCU – an additional $200 fine for speeding.

From an earlier article on WRIC:

The speed limit in that residential stretch is supposed to be only 25 miles per hour, yet neighbors say they saw drivers appear to be going much faster.

Mark Brandon with the uptown association has been working with the city for nearly 20 years to find a solution.

“An accident in this intersection could go right up into people’s houses,” he says. “Being a city, our houses are close to the curbs.”

City Councilman Parker Agelasto has proposed a solution: a $200 additional fine on top of a speeding ticket. Many neighbors like the idea.

Agelasto says that 85 percent of drivers on that street go at least 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. According a city ordinance, the street is eligible for the fine increase, which is actually one of the most inexpensive ways to calm traffic in the area.

“For now, it could be very helpful. Cary St gets a lot of traffic, downtown, at high speeds, mostly in the morning.”

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after tomorrow night.

Don’t forget Project Clean Move. Speaking of which, this Saturday is the Sierra Club Falls of the James Big Yard Sale at University of Richmond. Here is an just a very small fraction of the stuff being diverted from landfill in preparation for this annual event:
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