Author Archives: Scott

City Planning Commission Postpones Vote On Amphitheater

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Excerpts From the Times Dispatch article:

The Richmond Planning Commission voted Tuesday to postpone a vote on Venture Richmond’s amphitheater proposal for Tredegar Green after hearing concerns about the possible impact on future plans to re-water the James River and Kanawha Canal.
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But commissioners continued a vote on a final plan review until early March to allow the City Council to take up an amendment to Venture Richmond’s lease that would require the organization to raise the height of the canal towpath to about 85 feet if, at some point in the future, the planned 83 feet proves insufficient to allow boats to navigate the canal west to Maymont.
The vote was unanimous with the exception of Commissioner Melvin Law, who abstained. The lease amendment was raised as a solution after the Planning Commission was advised that it did not have the legal authority to attach a future obligation to the property that’s not directly tied to Venture Richmond’s plans.
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“I don’t want to put it at 85 feet just because somebody from Oregon Hill wants it that way,” Berry said.

OHHIC Historical Documentation of the Site of Richmond’s Proposed Amphitheater

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Remember the 60 page report? Well now Charles Pool has expanded it to 106 pages. We can only hope intellectual honesty and historic fact will matter as the City decides on Venture Richmond’s plan. It is also important to again recognize that there is a compromise plan that Venture Richmond has so far ignored that would avoid cutting into the historic canal.

OHHIC Historical Documentation of the Site of Venture Richmond’s Proposed Amphitheater (final) January 2014

Because of its national importance, the James River and Kanawha Canal should not be altered, cut, lowered or filled for trivial reasons, such as for improving sight lines or making it easier to cut the grass. It is vital that George Washington’s 18th century canal be afforded the respect that it deserves so that this rare historic resource one day can be a restored “blueway,” a treasure for future generations of citizens of the Commonwealth.

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. (For more information click here.)

Also,
The Fourth Annual RVA Environmental Film Festival (RVA EFF), to be held around the second weekend in February, 2014, is right around the corner! The Enrichmond Foundation, Falls of the James Group – Sierra Club, Capital Region Land Conservancy, EarthCraft Virginia and the James River Green Building Council have been working together to make sure this year’s festival is the best yet, with many insightful films designed to raise awareness of environmental issues relative to all residents of our planet – and to Richmond citizens in particular.

Tomorrow night, there will be a fundraising dinner at Baker’s Crust in Carytown:

BC fundraiser flyer 2

The film selection subcommittee is pleased to announce that it will expand the Festival to include an additional film evening at VCU’s Grace Street Theatre on February 6, 2014 between 6:00 and 9:00 PM. This special event will include screenings of the following films:

Continue reading →

City Schedules Three Land Use Meetings on Same Day (TOMORROW!)

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With a nod to the City Hall Review:

City of Richmond
January 21, 2014
1:30pm – Planning Commission Meeting
3:00pm – Land Use Standing Committee Meeting
7:00pm – Richmond Riverfront Plan Projects Public Forum

Also, from Fans of Monroe Park Facebook Page:

On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, Alice Massie, president of the Monroe Park Conservancy, will make a presentation to Richmond’s Land Use Committee at 3PM. This is the first step in turning the park over to this private entity. There is a public comment period. This will take place at city Hall, 2nd floor council chambers.

Click here for previous post on Monroe Park privatization.

Also note how the Riverfront Plan Public Forum will happen AFTER Venture Richmond’s Tredegar Green amphitheater plan goes to the Planning Commission.

Virginia War Memorial Expanding Again

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The Times Dispatch has an article this morning on plans to expand the Virginia War Memorial.

Excerpts:

The Virginia War Memorial is planning an estimated $17 million expansion to honor Virginia’s service members who have died in the global war on terrorism.
Plans for the new wing also call for building a 350-seat auditorium, a roughly 200-space parking deck, a new exhibit gallery and a classroom for long-distance learning.

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Though the state-funded expansion’s details are not fully determined, officials hope to break ground on the project by the end of summer and complete it in 2015, said Jon Hatfield, the memorial’s executive director.

Drive By Shooting

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Report from neighbor:

I just wanted to let the neighborhood know that last night at approximately 2:30 a.m. there was a drive-by shooting on the corner of Spring and Cherry Streets. There were four (maybe five) shots fired with one bullet entering the house and breaking a window. No one was hurt, but someone definitely could have been. We did not see/hear anything before or after the incident, but maybe a neighbor did? Hopefully this was a random occurrence, but everyone should be aware that it happened and on the lookout.

Lost Cat Maru

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From Craigslist ad:

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Lost cat in Oregon hill! Slipped out the door late last night. Her name is Maru. She’s very sweet and friendly. Gray in color and a bit chubby. She may be timid and scared. She’s very loved and missed. Her home is located across from mama zu’s. please contact if you have seen her!