A neighbor took this photo yesterday evening. The City has been doing repaving and maintenance work on Main and Franklin streets and the theory is that this is the reason for the extra traffic.
South Cherry Street Traffic Congestion
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Category Archives: traffic
Idlewood Roundabout Project Receives Funding From VCU
This ordinance was passed by City Council last night:
Ord. No. 2013-209 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $250,000 from Virginia Commonwealth University and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Traffic Calming/Idlewood Roundabout project in the Transportation category by $250,000 for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Idlewood Avenue, Grayland Avenue and an off ramp from the Downtown Expressway.
Theater Controversy On Channel 6
Click here for the story on Channel 6.
Well, this could have been a lot better, but it was certainly better than some previous coverage. It did not mention the historic Kanawha Canal (and how Venture Richmond’s canal history is WRONG), and still gave the mistaken impression it’s all about the Folk Festival (it’s not!), but at least it did acknowledge opposition. Thanks to our Overlook neighbor Nancy for appearing and making the case for reason.
Byrd House Market Sept. 10
From email announcement:
The Goings On
First: The Food! I mean, really, SO good. Right?!?! You want to hop on your bike and ride right over!
2nd Tuesdays mean St. Andrews home canned marinara, pickle juice and other yummies. Soul Ice will be back this week and the ready to eats for dinner are from Phal’s and Ted & Kirsten’s. Herbal teas and medicinal plants from Shakambhari Gardens. We have breads and croissants from Margie’s, cakes and yam rolls from Bernie’s. Crocheted fineries and Felted toys from Pleased to be Crafting and Wandering Cow Farm. The best produce and fruit from Byrd Farm and Amy’s Garden and Deer Run Farm, Tomten Farm, Origins Farm, Agriberry, Heath Farm, and Epic Gardens. Sausages from Salt Pork, Mushrooms from Steve Haas, Yogurt, Milk and Cheese from Old Church Creamery, Herd Shares, butter and pasture fed beef from Faith Farm, Roasters and honey and jam and lordee it does go on…
Find recipes at EatGoodGrowGreat.blogspot.com or ask at the Byrd House Market Info Tent. We’d love to get some and share some!
Second: Did you not LOVE?
the acrobats from the Cirque Italia at last week’s market?? Shopper’s daughter Tegwyn certainly did!
As they left the Blue Lotus Collective crew “Nick and Friends” serenaded shoppers til market’s end. Pretty nice vibe all day.
Third: HURRAY for WBCH Byrd House Market and Byrd House Farmlet! The Whole Foods Market 5% Day was a great success – more than $5,700 raised for outreach, infrastructure and marketing for the farmlet and the market! This was especially groovy because the entire staff, executive director and board chair took shifts bagging groceries, handing out literature and sharing the great work of our agency and our nutrition education programs: the market, farmlet and community garden. What a payoff! Thanks to everyone who worked and shopped! Thanks to Whole Foods Market 5% Day and their 5th anniversary in Richmond!
Upcoming events:
September 20: WBCH CARNIVAL! 4:00 – 7:30 pm with petting zoo, giant inflatables, games and prizes! 5th District Councilman Parker Agelasto making a special presentation in honor of WBCH’s 90th Anniversary
October 22: National Food Day at the Market – Thank a Vendor Day!
October 21-25: National Food Day Week of events and opportunities with BHM and VCU.See you at the market!
_____________________
Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306
Letter and Article On Canal Wall Controversy
Letter sent to Richmond Chief of Police:
Dear Police Chief Tarasovic,
It has been eight months since the demolition of the historic Tredegar wall on city property below Oregon Hill. At a regularly scheduled meeting on June 25, 2013, the membership of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) approved a resolution asking for a thorough investigation into the identity of the entity responsible for the tragic loss of this important historic asset and the processing of this entity through our legal system.
On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, an Oregon Hill resident witnessed a bulldozer purposely demolishing the Tredegar wall on city property. Within an hour of the demolition, contractors were photographed stacking the bricks on pallets, presumably for removal.
According to articles in the Richmond Times Dispatch, contractor Liesfeld admits that it was the contractor that demolished the wall. In the Oct. 20th T-D, Liesfeld identified NewMarket as the firm that hired them to demolish the wall. Later NewMarket, Dominion and Venture Richmond all denied that they hired the contractor to demolish the wall. Who hired Liesfeld to demolish the Tredegar wall on city property and what was the purpose of the destruction of this historic asset?
Dominion was apparently responsible for hiring the contractors for the 2nd Street Connector project, but according to Times Dispatch articles, Dominion states that they did not hire Liesfeld, and Liesfeld was not a sub-contractor for the project. Why was Liesfeld demolishing the 20+ section of the Tredegar wall if they were not a sub-contractor for the project or hired by Dominion?
The historically significant Tredegar wall was on city property and consequently was an important asset belonging to the citizens of Richmond, yet no effort has been made to identify the responsible party or to seek a suitable replacement wall in the exact location. This wall could possibly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace.
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, a legally registered corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hereby requests that an investigation begin immediately and that the responsible party/parties be identified and subjected to due process under applicable laws of the Commonwealth.
Sincerely
Jennifer Hancock
OHNA, President
Click here to see article that appeared in today’s Times Dispatch.
Click here, here, and here to read some of the previous coverage on this site.
Idlewood Roundabout Plan Becomes Funded and Closer To Reality
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock announced good news in regard to the Idlewood Roundabout proposal by making public an email from Councilperson Parker Agelasto:
Our roundabout is finally going to become a reality thanks to Parker.
Thanks
Jennifer
OHNAFrom: Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member
Subject: Idlewood RoundaboutHello everyone,
I wanted to provide an update regarding the Idlewood Roundabout. Each and everyone one of you contributed to a campaign to make this a priority. My fellow Councilmembers and the Administration heard you clearly. The project that has been discussed for nearly 15 years is finally going to be a reality.
Thanks to Brian Ohlinger for working with us to secure the $250,000 funding support from VCU for this initiative. This provided the necessary leverage for the project to get the attention of those at City Hall. Likewise the commitment from the St. Andrews Association to permit easements for the project made it very doable. The City has set aside $200,000 in the FY2014 capital improvement budget. This will leverage another $200,000 through VDOT’s revenue sharing program. The project thus has $650,000 and should begin over the next 12 months.
CAO Byron Marshall has been very helpful throughout the process. If you happen to see him, please thank him for his support of the Idlewood Roundabout. In the meantime, I will try to organize a public presentation on the project once the Department of Public Works has more specific information to share.
Sincerely,
Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District
Editor’s Note: This corresponds to number 5 of my own top ten issues for the neighborhood. With issues 4,5,6,7 all getting somewhat addressed (and a sincere hearty thanks to those who helped make that happen), it may be time to repopulate the list with some new issues.
2nd Street Connector’s Official Opening On Thursday
Despite continued questions and controversy, the Mayor’s Office released the following press release:
For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Wallace
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 (804) 646-2772 Michael.Wallace at Richmondgov.comMayor to Officially Open New 2nd Street Connector Road
WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones
Ellen Robertson, Richmond City Council Vice President, District 6
Parker Agelasto, Richmond City Council, District 5
Carter Reid, Vice President – Administrative Services & Corporate Secretary, Dominion
Bruce Hazelgrove, Vice President – Corporate Resources, NewMarket Corporation
Jack Berry, Executive Director, Venture RichmondWHAT: Official opening of the new 2nd Street Connector road.
WHEN: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 3 p.m.
WHERE: New 2nd Street Connector Road
Street extends from 2nd Street to Tredegar Street
Richmond, VABACKGROUND:
Mayor Jones, members of Richmond City Council, Dominion, New Market Corporation, and Venture Richmond will officially open the new 2nd Street Connector road. Project represents the first completed project of the 2012 Richmond Riverfront Plan.
Free parking is available in the parking lot off of Tredegar Street just west of the American Civil War Museum parking lot.
# # #
Two Car Accident At Laurel and China Streets
Thankfully, there does not seem to be any serious injuries.
From City’s Traffic Accidents and Hazards site:
S LAUREL ST/CHINA ST ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY Enroute 10:50 AM -077.451767 +037.538083…2 VEHS…UNK INJS BUT ONE VEH HAS DEPLOYED AIR BAG…Duplicate Event: RICH, Cross Street 1 = CHINA ST, Cross Street 2 = S LAUREL ST,
Walkers on Saturday
No, not that kind of walkers…
Times-Dispatch Go! Discover Richmond is holding a 10k walking event Saturday that will tour downtown, Jackson Ward, and Oregon Hill. First wave starts at the Virginia War Memorial at 8:30 am.
Final Renegade Market Today!
From email announcement:
Todays hours: 3pm to 6pm
This will be your last chance to feel the Renegade Market spirit – winter market vendors vending at will on our lovely village-like grounds. You should bow down before the grace of Byrd Farm, Faith Farm and Dogtown Lounge for bearing all kinds of winter weather to bring you the good meats, cheeses, noodles, honey, jams, and doggie/kittie treats EVERY Tuesday from last November through today. You should wring your hands with joy that they were joined by Deer Run and Epic Gardens, by Agriberry and Old Church Creamery, by a masseuse!!! (Robin Raver) and last week, a coffee maker (Alchemy). Woof! we’ve got good people.Next Week: Byrd House Market Opening Day!!
A roster of new and returning vendors coupled with a beautiful, long awaited spring will make for a great market season. SNAP EBT welcome again! Beautiful improvements to the grounds by scads of volunteers and our farmlet manager. Come on out and welcome back the crowd, be one of multitudes to enjoy the launch of a great new season of fresh, locally grown and produced foods. Special guests and new volunteers and great deals will be announced. College students prepare for the return of the $10 Student Box! Details can be found at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com. (also, please see the note about parking changes below)