Planning
Richmond planning department officials will unveil their idea for the future of the west end’s Libbie, Grove and Patterson Avenue shopping area. Their goal is to make the district a unified shopping and business area, while keeping the community’s wish to maintain a quaint atmosphere. Link
An assortment of images showing the area of the proposed entrance to Dominion Power’s headquarters.
Richmond council will consider Jackson Ward project
City [councilor Douglas G. Conner Jr.], who also serves on the Planning Commission, abstained from the vote, saying he wanted to discuss the issues with [councilor Ellen F. Robertson], whose 6th District includes the site.
via timesdispatch.com
City Council death threats prompt big security changes
…Taylor allegedly threatened to kill Jewell and the eight other council members….[councilor E. Martin Jewell] said Taylor wasn’t himself last week, and criticized the city’s administration for not handling the situation….Jackson admitted that the panic buttons installed last October in several places around City Hall weren’t working….more cameras….limited access to Council offices…..
via wtvr.com
Richmond might build road that would allow canal traffic
[Richmond might build road across historic canal. CHR]
…Second Street Connector….Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a final design….$1.3 million….Jack Pearsall, who is trying to reignite interest in restoring a functional canal system….typical canal boats wouldn’t be able to pass….Jeannie Welliver, a project manager for the city’s Department of Economic and Community Development, said the culvert has been designed to preserve the integrity of the canal bed, not to ensure that boats could pass….Connector is designed to provide additional access to the riverfront as well as to Dominion Resources Inc.‘s corporate headquarters on Tredegar….
via timesdispatch.com
see, 2nd Street Connector
[Why is Economic Development in charge rather than Planning? CHR]
Occupy Richmond drafts strategy for new year
…sharpen their focus for the New Year….communicate within the movement….educate the public….engage the public….
via wtvr.com
City Plans Makeover of Brookland Park Boulevard
…demolish two vacant storefronts….consultant to draw new plans….two blocks of the boulevard, from Hanes Avenue to North Avenue….exterior upgrades and financial incentives….request for proposals in January or early February….“The city has a history of saying things and not following through.”
via styleweekly.com
Alleged Threats Raise Security Concerns At City Hall
…46-year old, Leroy Taylor was accused of threatening to kill all nine council members….he was after first of all Councilman Marty Jewell…….city hall offices have panic buttons, but when pressed Wednesday during the incident, nothing happened….Contracted security officers were finally reached by phone….Taylor made threats against council members in the past.
via wric.com
viawdbj7.com
Footnoters Spread Wiki-Cheer at Mayor Jones’ Expense
…unknown wiki-editor or group of editors has outlined some of Jones’ political and corporate relationships….Altria Group Inc and Dominion Resources…City Central LLC….In November, Richmond magazine requested a list of 700 businesses that Hawley said had, along with the Tea Party, been automatically flagged for audit….Wallace said a much smaller list of 300 or so businesses actually were audited.
Armory revitalization projects gets $600,000 grant
Leigh Street Armory in Jackson Ward will now be revitalized into a Black History Museum and Cultural Center….$600,000 [Virginia] Industrial Revitalization Fund….three to five million dollars worth of renovations and additions….
[122 West Leigh Street; Black History Museum And Cultural Center Of Va Inc; Dr. Maureen Elgersman-Lee, Executive Director]]
via nbc12.com
via wtvr.com
via richmond.com
In 2001, City Council approved a special use permit for the Dominion Resources headquarters on Tredegar Street. The permit increased the maximum allowed building heights within a sloping “envelope” that extended from 60 feet above ground level to 160 feet above ground level.
Under the terms of the permit, it would automatically expire if certain conditions were not met. The city maintains that the conditions were met and that the permit is “still valid.”
The facts indicate that the permit expired. The property owner failed to meet the deadline for using the special use permit. The development that occurred on the property complied with the zoning regulations and did not require the special use permit. Olinger Read the rest of this entry »
Planning and Development Review
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Richmond Riverfront Plan – 3rd Public ForumThe Department of Planning and Development Review, along with the consultant team from Hargreaves Associates, held the third Public Forum on the Richmond Riverfront Plan on December 13, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St. This presentation is available at http://www.richmondgov.com/PlanningAndDevelopmentReview/documents/PlansOther/2011_1215_River_Public_Presentation.pdf, Presentations from the first and second forums are available on the Department of Planning and Development Review’s webpage. For more information, email James Hill at james.hill@richmondgov.com or call 804-646-7552. Olinger
http://richmondvacommunitydevelopme.blogspot.com/2011/12/richmond-riverfront-plan-3rd-public.html [deleted] Posted by Richmond VA Community Development at 3:18 PM
In an ordinance adopted May 9, City Council asked city officials to provide completed studies to determine the highest and best use for the both parcels within 150 days. As of Monday, the city was 74 days past that deadline.
via Style Weekly.
Jones and Reider rated the higher priorties for the implementation of the phased project, again stressing that these are mere suggestions. First up, completing the Virginia Capital Trail ($1.6 million), purchasing and developing Mayo Island ($16 million), and implementing several landmark projects at Brown’s Island — at a projected total cost of $35.4 million. The project’s second phase would center on Chapel Island, the dramatic Pipeline Rapids, Belle Isle and the Manchester environs, given a projected cost of $16.5 million.
via Richmond Magazine.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association recently came out in favor of a double pronged approach to downtown revitalization.