Here Come The Students…

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.

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’

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

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

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.’

Hollywood Cemetery Tour Today

If you can handle the heat…

From event announcement:

An extended version of the daily “Highlights” tour, this longer version covers in more detail the cemetery’s unique history, landscape design, architecture, symbols, and residents. Meet at the rear of the stone structure on the left at the cemetery entrance, at Cherry and Albemarle streets. Please note that this tour is 1.5 to 2 miles and involves several inclines. Comfortable shoes and water are recommended.

$15 per person.

$5 for Valentine Members.

Walk-ups welcome.

Cash or check.

On-street parking.

This tour is presented as part of the Richmond History Tours program, a service of the Valentine. We offer a full schedule of walking and bus tours of city neighborhoods, waterways, parks, retail districts, historic sites and battlefields. Led by a trained master guide, a Richmond History Tour is the best way to experience the city’s rich past, present and future.

Date & Time
Aug 14, 2016 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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Truck For Sale

From Craigslist ad:

1986 Ford Bronco XLT – $2000
Moving out of state and cannot take her with me :'( This is a project truck that runs great! With a little TLC this truck would be the ultimate beach cruiser. Recently replaced fuel tank and sending unit, rear brake shoes, rebuilt motorcraft 2150 2bbl carburetor. Contact me for more info if you’re interested.

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