On Monday, Richmond City Council will be making some very important decisions about Oregon Hill. They will be voting on closing Green Alley for VCU’s continuous expansion. They will also be voting on a School Board plan that would close Open High in 2019 and give VCU a lot of decision making about the future of its (national award winning) program.
Dear City Council members and citizens of Richmond,
VCU has proposed building an inappropriate 100,000 sq. ft. recreational facility in the Oregon Hill neighborhood. VCU cannot build the recreational facility as proposed without city approval to close two alleys on the site of the proposed building. We note that the proposed new master plan of the City of Richmond calls for a moratorium on closing streets and alleys in the city.
I am troubled by what I am hearing from Pantele these days. It seems like he is playing politics with ADA school settlement/City of the Future money. Both Wilder and Council want to use the issue against each other, rather than solving the issue.
It sounds like the School Board chair, Braxton, is siding with Pantele and Council against Mayor, though that is not helping the schools or students either. Wolf is at least vocal and wants to see ADA solved, but I am not hearing much from our School Board rep, Carr.
If they are looking for “large renovation projects” (because that is what Pantele is insisting on), then Open High could certainly use a ADA elevator addition.
I find it disgusting that the City is giving 50 million to the VaPAF/downtown arts center, but can’t give squat to solve this ADA crisis NOW.
ADA Kids and parents are still suffering needlessly. Is the City waiting until they sue again? What’s it going to take, the National Guard, just like in Little Rock?
Proposal:
Fix up Open. Energy audit, put solar on the roof and make it part of the science curriculum, add ADA elevator and other needed items. Bring in Community High program from West End to Grace Arents building THOUGH keep Community High and Open High programs separate (keep good teacher/student ratio), Make sure at least some of the money from sale of Community High building sale goes back into school system (do NOT let developers have all the profits), Maintain Community and Open High’s building and standards (hello local media, they just won NATIONAL RECOGNITION!). Do NOT let Trani and VCU decide the future of Open High, but hopefully keep allowing Open/Community students attend some college classes. Bring in more community gardening and park service projects.
I would like to hear other suggestions.
Despite attrition, the neighborhood is regarded as a survivor. New houses stand among the historic, old ones, and the character, though always changing, remains. But residents are well aware that staying on top of the Hill carries risk and requires vigilance, whether it be from eminent domain, corrupt developers, or sudden, natural or man-made disaster.
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Today was Election Day. Voting was very light for a number of reasons – it rained, the polling station moved without much fanfare from William Byrd Community House to the Landmark Theater, and the ballot was very short. Delegate McLellan was unopposed for her seat, and Donald McEachin won the State Senate seat.