Category Archives: government

Richmond Urban Land Institute Meeting On Wednesday: “Progress on Richmond’s Riverfront: Cultivating Connections with the James River”

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It’s not free to attend, but there is a meeting this Wednesday by the Urban Land Institute that is focusing on riverfront connections.

How should Richmond take advantage of the opportunities that the James River offers? What types of infrastructure is necessary to encourage interaction with the James? What progress has already been made?

Join ULI and it’s Young Leader’s Group for a panel-led discussion that will highlight projects that encourage Richmond to engage with the James River. Our distinguished panel will provide commentary on the progress that has been made along Richmond’s Riverfront and will discuss the vision for the future.

Note that it is being moderated by Lucy Meade of Venture Richmond. Can we really expect the public interests to be adequately represented at this meeting?

Where Is The Monroe Park Conservancy’s Report?

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City Council Organizational Development standing committee met yesterday in part to hear an update on Monroe Park Conservancy’s efforts to raise 3 million dollars to initiate the historically sensitive renovation of Monroe Park. This report was requested by Council in January and was already delayed by MPC at this committee’s last meeting. MPC president Alice Massie was a no show. City administration representative Chris Beschler is familiar with the Conservancy but declined to make any comments.

For more background on Monroe Park, please click here, here, here, here, and here.

Gazebo To Get Solar

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Oregon Hill residents are gratified that the City workers recently repainted the historic gazebo that sits as the end of S. Pine Street, near the overlook. With the UCI Road World Championship bicycle races approaching, residents are hoping the gazebo will look enticing for spectators.

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But now the City has additional news: As part of longterm restoration plans, the gazebo roof will be fitted with not only roof-flush photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and batteries to power the lighting installations around it, but also a retractable solar thermal array that will provide steam for picnic cooking as well as hot beverages in cooler temperatures.

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The design for this array comes from Wolfgang Scheffler, who is well know for designing similar arrays for community kitchens across India. City officials expect to have both the PV array and the thermal array up later this summer, as long as they can get past regulation in the City’s VEPGA.

OHNA Letter

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Earlier this month, the following letter was sent to VCU, City, State officials, as well as the media in response to an earlier real estate transaction:

Dear Dr. Rao,

The members of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) were concerned to hear that in November 2014, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) acquired a property at 9 West Cary Street, outside of VCU’s Master Plan boundary. In response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act, VCU confirmed that the property at 9 West Cary Street is not within VCU’s Master Plan boundary and that VCU did not inform its neighbors that it was purchasing property outside of its Master Plan boundary.

While this property at 9 West Cary Street is not within the Oregon Hill Historic District, we object to the University acquiring property outside of its Master Plan boundary. This land acquisition is counter to the Management Agreement between VCU and the Commonwealth of Virginia that states that capital projects must be “consistent with the University’s published Master Plan.” The fact that VCU chooses to disregard its own Master Plan alarms the surrounding communities.

OHNA voted at its February 24, 2015 meeting to formally request that VCU adhere to its Master Plan boundary when acquiring property in the future. We would also remind you of the promise made by former VCU President Eugene Trani that the University will not expand south of Cary Street into the Oregon Hill Historic District.

VCU’s neighbors rely on the commitment made by the University to adhere to its Master Plan boundary when purchasing property. This assurance is essential for removing speculation and inspiring a sense of trust between VCU and its neighbors.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Hancock
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
President

Councilman Parker C. Agelasto to hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District

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From City Council press release:

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, will hold a district-wide meeting for 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. These meetings are 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:

· Introduction of Richmond’s New Chief of Police
Col. Alfred Durham, Chief of Police, Richmond Police Department

· Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Cycling Championships: Richmond 2015
Ms. Monica Callahan, Community Engagement Director, UCI Road World Championships: Richmond 2015

· City Code Enforcement Presentation
Mr. John Walsh, Operations Manager, Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review Division of Property Maintenance Code Enforcement

· Questions, Comments, and Concerns
The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman
Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

WHEN Wednesday, April 1, 2015
6:30-8:00 p.m.

WHERE Patrick Henry Elementary School of Science and Arts
3411 Semmes Avenue; Richmond, Virginia 23225

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 Future Richmond Central 5th Voter District Meetings

Wednesday, June 3, 2015; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
Randolph Community Center
1415 Grayland Avenue, Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, August 5, 2015; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
BACK TO SCHOOL MEETING
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond – Southside Club
2409 Bainbridge Street, Richmond, Virginia

Updated location:
Wednesday, October 7, 2015; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
World War 1 Memorial Carillon Bell Tower
Dogwood Dell
0 South Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23221

Wednesday, December 2, 2015; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
HOLIDAY PARTY
Virginia War Memorial
621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia

OHNA Meeting Will Consider Amphitheater Rezoning

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From announcement:

The rezoning of the amphitheater below Oregon Hill will be considered at the meeting of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 pm at the William Byrd Community House, 224 S. Cherry. This rezoning has the potential to negatively impact the quality of life in Oregon Hill in terms of noise, parking, etc.
Venture Richmond Director Jack Berry, City Planning Director Mark Olinger, City Councilman Parker Agelasto are scheduled to attend this meeting.
Please attend the meeting and share your concerns!
Thanks!

Click here, here, and here for related posts.

VA Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority Meets Tomorrow

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According to Randy Marcus, Senior Advisor for Policy
Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the VNECA (VA Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority) Board has rescheduled their Board meeting for Tuesday, March 24 at 10am.
The meeting will be held close by at the VCU East Engineering Hall, 401 West Main Street, Room E3218 (Collaborative Learning Center on Third Floor). This is the same building and room used for recent meetings.

Nuclear opponents are watching carefully and plan to attend this meeting. However, it is unlikely there will be an outside protest like there was on Tredegar Street earlier this month.

Projects & Repairs

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As winter ends, City, VCU, and neighborhood leaders are identifying neighborhood needs and priorities.

The City is working to keep up with pothole repairs on Cumberland and Idlewood. The City’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Department of Public Works (DPW) are also trying to keep with water line and street repairs like the persistent leak on the 300 block of Cherry Street. Note that water mains have priority over services and meters when there are multiple issues being worked.

There are also gravel alleys that once again need attention. Check out this lake on the south end of the 600 block Laurel/Pine alley:
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Or the potholes on the 200 and 300 block Laurel/Cherry alleys:
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Of course, this situation, so close to the river, continues to call out desperately for “green alleys”.

Thanks again to St. Andrew’s Church and RVA Clean Sweep for their recent storm drain marking and cleanup work:
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RVA Clean Sweep will be back in Oregon Hill later this month on March 28th with VCU’s Green Unity in order to concentrate on the litter around Cumberland.

Unfortunately, despite previous efforts, the entire neighborhood is suffering from two distinct and pervasive forms of litter, cigarette butts and dog feces.
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The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association has budgeted money for repairing and replacing dog stations, while RVA Clean Sweep may be doing more on cigarettes.

Some other possible projects/repairs that City/VCU/neighborhood resources may tackle include more public trash/recycling receptacles, repainting and renovating the historic gazebo, graffiti abatement, repairing or replacing street signs.
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There has also been some consideration for beautification of the vacant lot at Belvidere & Idlewood. While it has been confirmed that the City owns the lot, and VCU can help establishing plantings or even a garden, one stumbling block is finding volunteers who can commit to maintaining any plantings. This is where student neighbors might be able to plug into the work that OHNA and VCU Community Engagement are doing.

Community Group Releases 21-point Monroe Park Maintenance Plan to Beautify Park before UCI Race in September

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From email announcement:

A group of Monroe Park community advocates and former members of the now defunct Richmond City Council appointed Monroe Park Advisory Council are requesting to meet with Volunteer Group Coordinators, City staff, VCU, UCI officials and Richmond and VCU Police in order to focus and leverage any and all available resources and volunteers in order to spruce up Monroe Park in anticipation of the UCI Bike races in September. This meeting will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 3:30PM at Monroe Park’s iconic fountain. The upcoming race and associated international media coverage presents the city with an unprecedented and exceptional opportunity to promote Richmond and its wonderful amenities to millions throughout the planet. Monroe Park is located in a prominent position on the UCI Time Trial Circuit, Team Time Trial Circuit and Road Circuit races.
The group, comprised of Elinor Kuhn, James “Turk” Sties and Todd Woodson have assembled a 21 point plan comprised of relatively inexpensive but effective maintenance and beautification suggestions that will help to present the historic park in the best light to the world. A comprehensive historic renovation of the park will occur at some point in the future but these suggestions would be compatible and are designed for a dramatic improvement in appearance for Richmond’s oldest municipal park. The suggested plan is as follows:

1. Restore fountain in appropriate verdigris finish, repaint fountain pool, inspect fountain lights, repair and repaint wrought iron fountain fence, repair supporting masonry, install correct recirculating filtered water pump and feed and mulch fountain plantings.

2. Repair or fill collapsed and non functional drainage inlets.

3. Aerate, fertilize and seed grassy areas.

4. Inspect park irrigation system and replace any broken sprinkler heads.

5. Remove graffiti and paint Checkers house and replace rotted gutters.

6. Level, scrape and paint light poles.

7. Consolidate park signage and remove inappropriate signage.

8. Mulch tree wells and trees in the park.

9. Paint pole of Department of Historic Resources highway marker and prune crepe myrtles to ensure visibility.

10. Install identification marker on rare deciduous Dawn Redwood tree and any other specimen trees.

11.Paint bollards and replace broken ones with any existing attic stock.

12. Establish Checkers House office space as a satellite base for biking Richmond police officers during race week.

13. Install flower beds under Crepe Myrtles and any other appropriate places.

14. Fill in severely rutted areas from past cars and truck mishaps on park grounds.

15. Discuss the city’s public wifi and increase power during race week if necessary.

16. Encourage art installation from VCU School of the Arts during race week.

17. Address any rodent infestation issues in Checkers House.

18. Insure proper removal of trash during community feedings. Ask VCU to stay until 5 on weekends for trash removal and also encourage feeding groups to remove and recycle waste from these events.

19. Suggest better enforcement of existing laws in the park, e.g. no parking inside park, no alcohol or illegal substances and litter control. Encourage police presence in park during race week.

20. Inspect and thoroughly clean bathrooms and monitor during race week.

21. Encourage Richmond City Council to establish a Monroe Park Community Advisory Board comprised of engaged members of surrounding communities and giving them a voice on all future decisions made regarding park policy.

Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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The schedule has been a bit unreliable due to weather, but 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.

In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

In local recycling news, the City of Richmond will hold an Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding Event on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Broad Rock Park (4615 Ferguson Lane). For more information call 646-8325.

In state recycling news, it’s getting close to the March 6 deadline to submit a nomination for the 2015 Recycling Awards for Excellence in Waste Reduction, Recycling & Litter Prevention.