ART180 Forum with RPD at Main Street Library This Friday

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From announcement:

Richmond, Virginia- Richmond Police Department will meet with formerly incarcerated youth, artists, and advocates for juvenile justice reform in a community forum designed to create an exchange of perspectives on issues concerning the juvenile justice system. The event will be hosted at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Library (101 E. Franklin St.) on August 26, 2016, from 5:30-8 p.m. The hope for the forum is to spark an honest and heartfelt conversation about the relationship between the needs of young people and law enforcement.

This event will be the culmination of three trainings conducted that week for up to 75 officers of the Richmond Police Department. During the training the officers will create a piece of art that allows them to present themselves not as officers, but as fellow humans. Their artwork will be exhibited alongside various artworks created by young people incarcerated at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center during a program called Performing Statistics offered by the nonprofit ART 180.

Since June, teens from the detention center have been meeting three days a week at ART 180’s teen art center ATLAS. Working on various projects including poetry, video, photography, and stenciling, their work addresses their experiences in the system and the support they wish they had in the community. “If justice was transformed, I would be doing work, not time,” wrote one teen.

Conceptualized in 2014, the Performing Statistics project is now a permanent program of ART 180 in partnership with Legal Aid Justice Center. The unique collaboration connects incarcerated youth to juvenile justice reform advocates in Virginia with the goal to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. The art created by the teens shares a rare perspective of the juvenile justice system from a first-hand experiencer. Ultimately, Performing Statistics looks to the youth most affected as the experts whose voices are important for building a more just, equitable world. As one of the program participants explained, “It’s not where you’re from, but where you want to go.”

Future events to look out for are an October exhibition at ART 180’s ATLAS gallery that will feature the work created this summer by incarcerated teens,, as well as the program’s second annual Justice Parade for Incarcerated Youth.

More on ART 180 at www.art180.org
More on the Performing Statistics project at www.performingstatistics.org

Updated Yet Again: 2nd District Candidates Make Statements on Monroe Park

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After recent events in Monroe Park, I asked candidates running for City Council in the 2nd District for written statements on the future of Monroe Park.

I received the following from Kimberly Gray:

I support the Monroe Park Master Plan that was developed in 2009. As the 2nd District City Council Representative I will advocate for renovations to get started sooner rather than later. I will work to help secure the remaining funds required to complete the plan. I am a strong proponent for keeping the historic integrity of the park and to promote the ideal that our parks are our greatest public treasure and should be open, safe and comfortable for all of us to visit and enjoy.

I have also received this statement from candidate Charlie Diradour:

Thanks to Scott and OregonHill.net for inviting us into the conversation regarding the future of one of Richmond’s most iconic parks. Monroe Park’s history is one of the many reasons that it should be restored to its former glory. The concept of public squares in Richmond dates back to the Eighteen Hundreds, and as we witness a resurgence in the “live, work, play ” manner of living, we need leadership that understands that parks are not amenities, but necessities.

The City of Richmond has not maintained, or improved this gem for decades. In fact, the damage done by installing the wrong sidewalks, including doing extensive damage to the irrigation system, has made the restoration more expensive in the long run.

The lease that was signed, and continues in force by and between Richmond and The Monroe Park Conservancy has been my evening reading for weeks now, and from what I gather that lease gives The Conservancy the right to The Park for Thirty years. That same lease gives The Conservancy the time they need to raise the sufficient monies to improve The Park.

Given the history, the present situation, and the future possibilities, I believe that the current agreement represents the only viable option to address the decades of neglect of this jewel by The City. Monroe Park must be restored so that it may be enjoyed by all, including VCU students and staff and Richmond residents.

Teddy Roosevelt said, “The nation behaves well if it treats its natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.” Through our collective efforts we must find a place of agreement that will facilitate Monroe Park becoming, once again, a place for all to congregate, recreate, and at times find solace. We can only do that with steady leadership from a community committed to repairing structures and relationships.

Thanks to all;

Charlie

And finally, 2nd District Council candidate Rebecca Keel submitted her statement last night (August 21st, this post with Gray’s statement was originally made on July 27th):

Hello, thank ya’ll, and please forgive my delay in replying to your request for a statement. After spending a several weeks researching the history of the park, the current lease held by the Monroe Park Conservancy and VCU, and after hearing from some community members, both off and online, it seems clear that many people do not support the privatization of Monroe Park. Further, it happens to be my personal opinion that the act of privatizing, under the guise of revitalization, is short sighted.

Therefore I do not support the privatization of Monroe Park and would work to terminate the current lease. I hold this position because it is what the people want, and what would help populations who already and regularly inhabit the park.

It is true that Monroe Park is in poor condition, and I agree that this is an issue of Public Health and Well-being. The city must take better care of its historic gems.

It is also true that many unstably housed and homeless people regularly spend time in Monroe Park. Part of caring for a community is caring for the community members. Proposals to revitalize Monroe Park, that do not include services and resources for our homeless community members, are not solutions that work toward community growth and social justice.

Finally, it is necessary that any restoration of the park should respect the city’s history and come from community generated proposals and widespread buy-in.

As a council member, I will ensure that community engagement is thoughtful and inclusive, and together we can form a solution that both beautifies Monroe Park and provides assistance for the folks who already value it.

Thank you for your consideration,

Rebecca K. W. Keel

The Pool Under Main Street

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While we are still in the heat of summer, WTVR has a cool little report on “Richmond’s most famous pool, built 90 years ago – under the Altria Theater”.

Excerpt:

Tile from Spain and Italy covered everything, even some of the ceilings.

The pool was deep – nine and a half feet in the deep end, which had a diving board. It was still there until just a few years ago, Miller said.

The city would take over the historic building, turning it into the Mosque concert and theater venue.

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The pool was filled in and covered over with concrete – it was just too structurally unsound.

But the original wall tile and floor edging, including the depth markers, remain in this 90-year-old uncanny pool room now serving as a storage area.

Here Come The Students…

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From the Times Dispatch article:

Watch out for travel restrictions and street closures this weekend and also next week during Welcome Week activities.

Among closures, Laurel Street will be shut down between Franklin and Grace streets from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

On Tuesday, the Ram Spirit Walk will begin at 5 p.m. as the freshman class, accompanied by The Peppas, will march from convocation at the Siegel Center across Broad Street and down Harrison Street, Park Avenue and Linden Court to a block party on Floyd Avenue.

VCU expects a first-year class of 4,200 students, up from about 4,050 last August. Total enrollment is estimated at 31,500 students.
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Franklin Street: The street will be closed to through traffic between Harrison and Belvidere streets; traffic arriving for move-in will be reduced to one travel lane between Harrison and Belvidere streets.

Grace Street: Travel lanes will remain open, however, drivers may experience some congestion between Ryland and Belvidere streets.

Harrison Street: The street will be closed to through traffic between Broad and Marshall streets.

Cherry Street: The street will be closed to through traffic between Floyd Avenue and Cary Street.

Floyd Avenue: The street will be closed to through traffic between Cherry and Harrison streets.

Linden Street: The street will be closed to through traffic between Park and Floyd avenues.

Madison Street: The street will be closed to through traffic between Main and Cary streets.

Cary Street: Travel lanes will remain open, but drivers may experience some congestion between Cherry and Jefferson streets.

Marshall Street: Travel lanes will remain open, but drivers may experience some congestion between Bowe and Hancock streets.

Laurel Street: The street will be closed between West Grace and West Cary streets. Parishioners of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart will be allowed to park in designated spots on Cathedral Street and in the West Main Street Parking Deck

Pine Street: The street continues to be closed between West Cary and West Main streets for construction through 2018.

Monroe Park ‘Modifications’

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Cherry Street neighbor Todd Woodson continues to monitor Monroe Park situation:

In 2015, City Council wisely passed an ordinance (ord.2015-102) stating that they would receive monthly updates on modifications to existing contracts so they can monitor these additional expenses. July’s report contains this modification of the Monroe Park Renovations Project contract in the amount of $198,765. Ive asked for details other than those given but it is important to note that this contract value has increased by 41% since it was executed in 2008.

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With a high profile robbery and a stabbing, it’s been a rough summer for this historic public park. Neighbors are wondering if the neglect preceeding planned ‘modifications’ is purposeful in preparation for a VCU takeover. Will Monroe Park figure more prominently in upcoming debates between City Council candidates?

Click here to scroll through previous posts on Monroe Park.

Wednesday Volunteers

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A volunteer cleanup effort took place this Wednesday morning, spreading over parts of Oregon Hill, Monroe Park, and Randolph. Graffiti removal/cover up and litter pick up were part of the tasks.

VCU students made a big part of the volunteer workforce. Here’s a photo of some of them on S. Laurel Street.
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Amy Robins, Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s liaison, helped coordinate some donated gravel that volunteers spread in the 300 block alley between S. Laurel and S. Pine. Much thanks to the Luck Stone corporation‘s Rockville office for their generosity.

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Oregon Hill’s alleys overall are still a mess (could use about 25 more truckloads and a good grader) and, of course, other neighborhoods need attention as well, but with the City strapped for cash, volunteers and donations are very much appreciated.

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Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow

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This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Ideally, rolling recycling containers are stored and deployed in the back alleys along with trash cans. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night.

If you have not done so already, don’t forget to sign up for your Recycling Perks.
In order to take your recycling to the next level, read this: 10 ways to improve your recycling.

Also, here’s a new post on trash/recycling with, uh, a slightly different take that may be worth reading- Urban Trash: Why and How to Minimize Your Garbage.

In recycling news, a new report from the Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling at Worcester Polytechnic Institute says that the recycling rate for automotive aluminum is over 90% in the United States.

From the article on www.recyclinginternational.com:
‘We set out to detail exactly how aluminium is separated and recovered at the end of a vehicle’s service life, and findings show it is highly recyclable and is recovered and reused at very high rates,’ comments Professor Diran Apelian, founding director of WPI’s Metal Processing Institute.

‘With an eye toward reducing the nation’s energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions and increasing fuel economy, this study confirms that, as aluminium use continues to grow in the automotive sector, it also enhances energy security and environmental protections.’