‘Watchdog’ C. Wayne Taylor Holds His Bite On 2nd Street Connector

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Scott

I have written before about how C. Wayne Taylor has taken on City Hall on the 2nd Street Connector and Special Use Permit Issues. Here’s the latest:

April 12, 2012

The Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Members of Council,

On March 15th 2012 I requested certain information from Councilor Tyler regarding the proposed 2nd Street connector. He said he would give me a response by the end of the week. On April 2nd I send an email to Councilor Tyler advising him that I had not received anything. As of this evening, I still have not received any of the information I requested.

The citizens of Richmond are being denied a meaningful voice in the political process if you do not give them the relevant information. Will you please take the appropriate action to obtain and make public the information I requested.

Sincerely yours,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Attachments: Copies of the emails are included below.

Links: http://cityhallreview.com/tag/2nd-street-connector/

Copy: Liaisons, Planning Commission via Secretary, Press, Interested Citizens

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: C WAYNE TAYLOR
To: Bruce Tyler
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 4:41 AM
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Mr. Tyler,

I have not received the information.

C. Wayne Taylor

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: “Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member”
To: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:26 PM
Subject: RE: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Mr. Taylor:

I will give you a response this week.

Bruce W. Tyler

1st District Councilman
City of Richmond

City Council
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

cell: 804.357.6007
fax: 804.343.0909

From: C WAYNE TAYLOR [mailto:cwaynetaylor@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thu 3/15/2012 4:16 PM
To: Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

March 15, 2012

VIA EMAIL TO: Bruce.Tyler@Richmondgov.com
The Honorable Bruce Tyler
City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Council Member,

The proposed 2nd Street connector would cause a major change in the character of the area. I think it is very important to fully understand the proposal and the various factors involved.

As you know, the administration has not been transparent in this matter. Economic Development even tried to charge me for copies of the documents discuss with city council.

Therefore, I request that you help insure that citizens have all the facts. Will you please provide or obtain answers to the following for the public and me:

1. Has an elevation rendering of the proposed crossing of the historic canal been presented to council?

2. Has a perspective rendering of the proposed connector been presented to council?

3. What is the acreage of the land that is proposed to be conveyed to the city west of the connector?

4. Why does the Planning Commission letter state that the area on both sides of the connector will be privately owned?

5. Why is there a proposed parcel boundary down the middle of the historic canal?

6. What is the acreage of the land that the city is providing for stormwater detention.

7. Does the stormwater detention facility essentially block access of city land to Tredegar Street?

8. Does the parking area connect to Tredegar Street or the connector?

9. How many parking spaces are gained or lost?

10. Does the city have the right to require that the connector be put on the Tredegar Ironworks parcel under alternative B-3 of the 1995 agreement?

11. Does alternative B-3 provide better topography to cross the historic canal and provide more clearance for boats.

12. Why was the connector project assigned to Development rather than Planning?

13. Has Planning been prohibited from commenting to citizens about the connector?

14. Has the planning director issued an analysis of the pros and cons of a connector?

15. Has the city traffic engineer issued a report on the connector?

16. Who prepared the traffic analysis report?

17. Has part of the traffic analysis report been redacted?

18. Is it correct that the connector is not shown on the Downtown Master Plan?

19. What elements of the connector are not consistent with the Downtown Plan and UDC Guidelines.

20. Why were the trees cut down after the Planning Commission reviewed the connector concept plan?

21. What happens if the city requires clearance over the historic canal and refuses to pay the cost?

I believe the following is correct:

22. Road construction grading will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

23. The stormwater detention facility will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

24. Water flowed in the historic canal until about 1970.

25. Slave labor was used to construct the historic canal.

26. An 1880 bridge was built over the unused canal in a traditional arched style.

27. The historic canal is on the National Register of Historic Places.

28. The top executive at Dominion Resources received total compensation of $16.9 million in 2010.

I have attached copies of the documents that the Jones Administration attempted to charge me to have.

Thank you for your attention,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Copy: Council, Liaisons, Press

City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force to hold meeting Thursday

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Scott

From City announcement:

All residents are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force will hold a meeting. The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System. The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

WHEN Thursday, April 12, 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.

WHERE Richmond Department of Economic Development
Richmond Main Street Station – 3rd Floor Conference Room
1500 East Main Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219
(PARKING: Free parking is available on the west side of the building by using the Franklin Street Entrance and using the lot below the Interstate. When facing the Train Station from the Franklin Street Entrance, make a right and park towards the Clock Tower end. When facing the building from the parking lot, the entrance door to the Richmond Department of Economic Development is located on the right of the building.)

WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force

CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, Richmond City Council, West End 1st District, at 804.357.6007; or bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com.

Background ____________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force
Richmond City Council established the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force on September 27, 2010 by Richmond City Council Ordinance No. 2010-173-166.

The objective of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force is to provide a report to Council within in a year of its first meeting which recommends the following:

1. Any legislation, plans, policies, and programs that promote efficient mass transit in the city;

2. Economic development, economic growth, employment and tourism strategies that include public transportation; and,

3. Public relations and education programs to increase public use of mass transit.

4. The Task Force shall also work with interested private organizations to improve the service and efficiency of the GRTC.

Oregon Hill Parkway Closed Tomorrow

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Scott

From the City press release:

Street Closure – Oregon Hill Parkway
Traffic Advisory
Richmond, Virginia
Mayor Dwight C. Jones
For Immediate Release
March 30, 2012
For more information, contact:
Sharon North – (804) 646-5607

Street Closure – Oregon Hill Parkway

WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT: Street Closure

WHEN: Wednesday, April 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Oregon Hill Parkway between Pine Street and Laurel Street.

BACKGROUND: Oregon Hill Parkway between Pine Street and Laurel Street will be closed during structural rehabilitation to the pedestrian bridge.
###

Personally, I am very excited to see things happen with the new pedestrian bridge.

New Pine Street Connector Plans (May Include Street Renaming)

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Scott

The good news that emerged this week was that the controversial 2nd Street Connector proposal has been withdrawn due to strong citizen opposition. The bad news was that the alternative Spring Street connector idea has been rejected as well.

What may be seen as even worse news is that Dominion Resources is now proposing that South Pine Street be turned into their connector road. Coming off Idlewood, the street direction would be reversed from it’s current northerly flow and instead would be one-way south towards Dominion’s riverside headquarters. The street would then replace the Overlook and terminate instead with a ramp and bridge going directly to the upper floor of Dominion’s parking deck. Because it’s so very important for Dominion employees to be able to get in and out of work (and the City) quickly, the speed limit would be raised to 45 mph, and a new traffic signal light would be put in place at Holly Street and Pine Street (at Dominion’s expense, of course).

Continue reading →

Monument 10K Road Closures

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Scott

Monument Avenue 10k road closures and travel tips for Saturday, March 31, 2012:

ROAD CLOSINGS

The exit ramp from westbound downtown expressway to Belvidere will be closed from 6 AM to 3 PM on event day to allow shuttles to load and unload on Canal St.

Broad Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Lombardy Street from 4 AM to Noon. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street to 95 North. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere. Motorists are encouraged to use I-95 as an alternate.

Park Avenue will close from Shafer Court to Lombardy Street/Stuart Circle from 6 AM to 9 AM.

Laurel Street will be closed between Main and Broad Street from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Franklin Street will be closed between Belvidere and Laurel from 5 PM Friday, March 30 until 3 PM March 31.

Franklin Street will be closed between Laurel and Stuart Circle from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Harrison Street will be closed from Park Avenue to Marshall from 4 AM to 2 PM.

Cathedral Place will close from Laurel to Shafer Court from 4 AM to 3 PM.

Lombardy Street will be closed between Broad Street and Hanover Avenue from 7 AM to 2:30 PM.

Hanover Avenue from Plum to Lombardy will be closed from 7 AM to 9 AM.

Grace Street will be closed between Belvidere Street and Allen Avenue from 7 AM to 12 PM.

Monument Avenue will be closed between Staples Mill Road and Stuart Circle (Lombardy Street) from 7 AM to 2:00 PM. The recommended detour for eastbound traffic is left on Staples Mill Road, right on Broad Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Leigh Street, right on Belvidere Street. The recommended detour for westbound traffic is right on Belvidere Street, left on Leigh Street, left on Allen Avenue, right on Broad Street.

Chantilly Street will be closed from Monumental Street to Monument Avenue from 5 AM to 1 PM.

The Boulevard will be closed at Monument Avenue from 8:30 AM to 12 PM. The recommended detour for northbound traffic is left on Park Avenue, right on Thompson Street to 195. The recommended detour for southbound traffic is right on Grace Street, right on Thompson Street, left on Broad Street, left on Hamilton Street to 195.

Kent Road will be closed from Wythe to Monument Avenue from 4 AM to 2 PM.

Canal Street will be closed from 2nd Street to Belvidere from 5 AM until 3 PM.

Spring Street Connector?

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Scott

Laurel Street neighbor Tommy Birchett continues to ask some good questions in reference to the proposed 2nd Street connector.

His latest:

What if they built a Spring St connector instead?

Newmarket could donate land at the bottom of their hill above Tredagar and they could connect Spring through to 5th st.

No disruption to canal

No steep incline

Direct connection to west meadvaco from 2nd st

Seems like it would be better for traffic

Just a thought for an alternative proposal.

In fact, this question actually goes back farther to 1991 when Ethyl was given permission to destroy the architecturally significant 2nd Street Bridge. It should be noted that Oregon Hill residents spoke against this demolition. What’s even more interesting is that according to a 1991 Richmond News Leader article, Ethyl received permission to demolish the 2nd Street bridge on the grounds that Spring Street would be extended to increase access to the river.

Local public watchdog C. Wayne Taylor shared the thought. In investigating the question, he discovered that the city entered into a deal with Ethyl (NewMarket) to remove a planned Spring Street extension from the master plan. In exchange, Ethyl agreed to provide land and partial funding for street improvements in other areas. Part of that agreement is that if the city ever extends Spring Street, the city has to pay for the other land and give back the partial funding. In other words, Ethyl may have bought protection against having to fulfill their earlier promise to extend Spring Street.

GRTC Task Force Holds Public Hearing Tonight

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Scott

Gas is projected to cost what, 4 or 5 dollars a gallon this summer?

From City Council Press release:

WHAT The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force will hold a public hearing to receive public input on concerns and goals regarding public transportation in the City of Richmond.

The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents and transit riders are invited and encouraged to attend. Residents and transit riders interested in speaking are encouraged to register with the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, by calling 804.646.7955, prior to Noon on Thursday, March 8, 2012.

The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System.

WHEN Thursday, March 8, 2012
6:30-8:00 p.m.

Residents interested in speaking are encouraged to register with the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, by calling 804.646.7955, prior to Noon on Thursday, March 8, 2012.

WHERE Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force

CONTACT Those interested in speaking are encouraged to register with the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk, by calling 804.646.7955, prior to Noon on Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Jewell Supports Road Despite Citizen Opposition

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Scott

The Times Dispatch has an article about the 2nd Street Connector At City Council yesterday. It manages to not mention the citizen opposition from the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association and the Sierra Club Falls of the James group.

Richmond is preparing to build a new road to its downtown riverfront, while keeping open a remnant of the city’s historic canal system to one day float boats again.

The capital budget that will be presented by Mayor Dwight C. Jones next week for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 will include $385,000 to preserve a section of the James River and Kanawha Canal with an open-bottom culvert beneath the proposed Second Street Connector.

However, it does mention how 5th District Councilperson Marty Jewell is supporting the road (despite the neighborhood’s wishes):

Councilman E. Martin Jewell, of the 5th District, supports the road but not the culvert beneath it because of the $385,000 price tag that the mayor is expected to include in his proposal capital budget for fiscal 2013.

“To do this now is ridiculous,” Jewell said.

But city planning and economic development staff said Richmond would get only one chance to preserve the remnant of the canal that extends from downtown as far west at Maymont Park.

“This is the first opportunity for the city to have a say about how the canal is treated,” planner Jim Hill told council.

“We think there’s an invaluable benefit to the city … by not foreclosing the opportunity for the future,” Hill said.

2nd Street Connector At City Council Monday

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Scott

Well, here we go. It will be interesting to see which riverfront vision Council sides with…

Richmond City Council
INFORMAL SESSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL – SECOND FLOOR

As of 2/23/2012

Monday, February 27, 2012
3:00 P.M.

III. 2ND ST. CONNECTOR – JENNIE WELLIVER, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

See previous 2n Street Connector posts here, here, and here. And don’t forget the coverage by C. Wayne Taylor’s City Hall Review.

Good News: Student Car Sharing Catching On

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Scott

From Richmond BizSense:

Virginia Commonwealth University introduced Zipcar in 2010. Miriam Maddux of VCU’s Parking and Transportation department, said the cars have been on a roll.

In 2011, 219 students signed up for Zipcar, and now the school has 359 members. VCU’s fleet consists of a Ford Focus, Scion XB, a Toyota Prius and a Honda Insight.

Maddux said the cars were reserved for about 724 hours each month last year.
VCU has almost 3,000 Zimride members.

Even with more than 7,000 students applying for parking permits last year, Maddux said the school is still pushing the car-sharing services hard.

“We strongly encourage students to use alternative transportation, such as Zipcar and Zimride, for trips off-campus,” she said.

Oregon Hill

News For Oregon Hill, in Richmond, VA

Category Archives: traffic