They put this controversial sign back in. Rumor is the previous one got hit by a car.
VCU Sign Saga Continues
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Burglary On S. Pine Street
From Richmond Police:
4th Precinct
BURGLARY
2/18/14 7:15 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.
500 block of South Pine Street
An unknown male broke into the residence. An arrest was made.
Trash/Recycling Pickup Tomorrow
This Wednesday is a red Wednesday, which means trash and recycling pickup. Please make sure you pick up containers after pickup tomorrow night. They do not belong on the sidewalk after tomorrow night.
VCU, University of Richmond, and other schools are currently competing in RecycleMania 2014.
Virginia Emancipation Proclamation Monument For Brown’s Island
Although most of the presentation was philosophical in nature with the subtext of the raging Shockoe Bottom controversy, Mr. Pinnock did generously show some slides of VERY PRELIMINARY ideas for the proposed Virginia Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument for Browns Island. These visuals showed a raised structure that would offer enclosed meditative space with slats that would allow light to come in.
It will be interesting to see if this proposal, or the controversial ‘Tredegar Green’ amphitheater proposal, will be allowed for discussion at tonight’s Riverfront Plan forum. It’s worth noting that the Proclamation Monument proposal has not been without some controversy, and its worth remembering that Browns Island has been brought up as an alternative to the Kanawha Canal site for the proposed amphitheater.
“RVA and Rapid Transit: Where Are We? Where Do We Need to Be?”
From Richmond.com:
With an international bicycle race coming to town next year(!), Richmond needs to seriously get to work a bus rapid transit system to make sure all the spectators can get from point A to point B quickly and safely – and hopefully do a lot of dining and shopping while they’re here. – D.W.
GRTC held a public meeting in August 2013 to present a plan for Bus Rapid Transit in the Broad Street corridor. “GRTC and its partners in the plan, including the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, presented the plan for the rapid transit between Rocketts Landing and Willow Lawn and talked about economic and environmental impact studies of the service,” according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
If BRT ever happened, clearly it won’t be ready in time for the UCI World Cycling Championships in September 2015. I do know that Richmond 2015 is working with regional planners on shuttle services and transportation to move the fans around during the two-week cycling event, but that is not part of the BRT proposal.
“The plan calls for creating a 7.6-mile dedicated bus route from Rocketts Landing to Willow Lawn, mostly along Broad Street. For most of the route, the service would operate in a newly created bus-only lane in the middle of Broad Street. It would offer service as frequently as once every five minutes and use on-board technology to control traffic signals at intersections, allowing it to proceed with a minimum number of stops. The service would be in addition to regular local route service,” according to the Times-Dispatch report.
“If constructed as proposed, the new service would decrease travel time for riders by up to 65 percent and increase ridership by more than a third, to about 5,000 passengers a day. It would have 14 stops. The project would cost about $68 million in capital improvements and require about $4 million in annual operating costs. About half the capital costs could be covered by federal grants, with the state and local governments making up the other half.”
Meanwhile, this Thursday, at U of R downtown…
Thursday, February 20, 12:30-1 p.m.
RVA and Rapid Transit: Where Are We? Where Do We Need to Be?
Andrew Terry, Assistant Pastor at Richmond Hill
TAKE 30 is a 30-minute lunchtime series, led by University of Richmond professors and community leaders, to consider questions in the arts, humanities, sciences, business, and law. Each TAKE 30 is free and open to the public.
Welcome to the Flying Brick Library
From Flying Brick Library‘s FaceBook page:
“You know you want to come on over to the Flying Brick today during open hours and drink some tea….”
Seinfeld Trivia and Wing Night At Mojo’s
From the FaceBook event page:
Come to Mojo’s for Seinfeld Trivia and Wing Night. Monday 2/17. 45 cent wings and pitcher specials 7 to 11 pm. Trivia starts at 8. Free to play. Prizes each round!
Monroe Park VCU Sign Removed (Again)
This is all that’s left, after all the earlier controversy (see here, here, here, here, and here.
There is speculation that this is in anticipation of more controversy in regard to Monroe Park.
City Council’s Land Use Committee will hear the presentation for the proposed Monroe Park lease on Tuesday, in Council chambers in City Hall at 3PM.
Since the proposed Monroe Park lease is for more than 5 years, according to City code, it must be advertised for bids 2 weeks before going to City Council for vote. It is scheduled for Council on February 24 yet no ads have been out. A FOIA request by a neighbor revealed the ads would run on Feb 27, 3 days after it was scheduled for a vote. It’s unclear how this will be resolved.
The 5th district meeting that was cancelled on Feb. 12 due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Feb 20th. The proposed Monroe Park lease plan will be presented then- 6:30 at the Byrd Park roundhouse.
Landmark Becomes Altria
Say goodbye to Landmark theatre and say hello to the Altria, née Mosque. I am a little surprised they did not call it the Verve.
City Opens Emergency Shelters as Winter Storm Approaches
From email announcement:
City Opens Emergency Shelters as Winter Storm Approaches
Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond has opened two emergency shelters to assist City residents in the event power outages occur as a result of the winter storm. Residents who reside in areas where power outages are frequent during storms are advised to seek shelter now before traveling conditions deteriorate. The City’s Emergency Shelter locations are:
Linwood Holton Elementary School
1600 West Laburnum AvenueJames Blackwell Elementary School
1600 Everett StreetResidents should bring any medication, personal items and supplies that they may need. The City will provide meals and snacks to shelter attendees. Residents may also charge their medical equipment batteries and cell phones at the City shelter in the event they lose power at home. Weapons are not allowed in the City shelters. Pets are not allowed within the City shelter with the exception of service animals. Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) will staff both City shelters to accept the pets of residents attending the shelter. RAC&C advises residents that pets should be brought indoors, and if they do need to be outside, they should have adequate shelter that protects them from exposure to winter weather. Residents should call (804) 646-5123 if they need RAC&C to pick-up their pet from their residence.
“With the potential of power outages and roads possibly being blocked because of heavy snow, I urge residents who believe they have a potential to lose power to travel to a City shelter now,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
The City’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will open tonight, February 12 and Thursday, February 13 as overnight temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below 40 degrees during this time period. The overflow shelter is located in the City’s Public Safety Building, 501 North 9th Street. The shelter entrance is the second entrance on the 9th Street side of the building closest to Leigh Street. The shelter opens at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 6 a.m. Shelter registration will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.
The Cold Weather Day Warming site will open tomorrow, Thursday, February 13 as daytime temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below 40 degrees during this time period. The warming site is open each day from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Commonwealth Catholic Charities operates the day warming site at 511 West Grace Street.
Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities Homeless Point of Entry by 5 p.m. each day for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Commonwealth Catholic Charities Homeless Point of Entry is located at 511 West Grace Street. A referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be provided to individuals who are not eligible for an existing shelter or if all available beds have been filled. Individuals seeking access to the Overflow Shelter must have a referral.
The City’s Department of Social Services will accept Crisis Assistance applications now through March 15 at 900 East Marshall Street, Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046. The department also provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify.
Elderly or residents with disabilities may also contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the City of Richmond during this weather event, please visit www.Richmondgov.com, follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA, and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.
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