May 18, 2008
Broad Street is doing ok
Following yesterday’s look at the at the “quiet renaissance” in Jackson Ward and just in time for Broad Appétit, the RTD’s Broad St. is taking a right turn gives some good words to an area that has seen better (and worse) days:
Now, investment dollars are also trickling into a stretch in the middle — roughly from Jefferson to 4th streets. City officials haven’t attempted to quantify the investments along Broad Street but they easily exceed $1 billion.
Kevin W. Korda said his home-renovations store, Renovation Resources, could have landed in Carytown or Short Pump, but it settled at 18 West Broad St. because of the area’s artsy, eclectic mix.
“I liked the idea of developing the urban atmosphere down here,” he said. “It was really just a diamond in the rough. . . . I saw this revitalization happening here, I just wanted to be part of it.”
May 17, 2008
Cast and Wrought
From Robert P.Winthrop’s Cast and Wrought - The Architectural Metalwork of Richmond, Virginia:
Richmond’s architectural cast iron is second only to that of New Orleans, yet it is hardly recognized. Over 130 porches and balconies, hundreds of yards of elaborate fencing, as well as scores of cast iron front buildings remain in the city today and make up the bulk of the city’s architectural metalwork.
May 17, 2008
quiet renaissance or the big takeover?
A Michael Paul Williams piece in today’s RTD, The rebirth of Jackson Ward combines history and change, is a positive look at the “quiet renaissance” going on in the area. In Williams’ words “Jackson Ward is reinventing itself, clinging to its historic past while embracing change in multiple hues”, a transformation the contrarian Richmond Voice sees a ploy so that “whites can completely take over Jackson Ward”.
May 15, 2008
hope for the Hippodrome
The RTD is reporting that Walker Row Partnership has a line on getting a blues club and 2 restaurants into the historically decrepit Hippodrome. City Council President William J. Pantele says that he’s seen a letter of intent to put a blues club in the Hippodrome and has asked the council to come up with $600,000 to help finance the project. Ronald Stallings of Walker Row Partnership was recently named 2008 Real Estate Visionary of the Year by the Richmond Real Estate Group. Read more >
May 14, 2008
vivid reminders of its industrial past
Edwin Slipek Jr.’s Other Side of the Tracks is a look at the recently renovated Southern Stove Works complex at the edge of Newtowne West:
It’s with the new finishes — stair railings, landings, balustrades and light fixtures in interesting mixtures of materials and colors — where Walter Park added light, highly contemporary touches. What’s old is bold. What’s modern seems even bolder. It is a handsome performance. [...] It’s a highly industrial feeling. But the lesson here is “Never say never” when it comes to the possibilities of adapting unlikely spaces into livable places. And with the Stove Works Lofts joining the Todd Lofts Apartments as anchors for this transformational neighborhood, it begs the question of what kind of in-fill development can further animate this once-forgotten part of town.
May 12, 2008
Broad Appétit is this Sunday
The First Annual Broad Appétit Food and Art Celebration which will take over Broad Street between Adams and Monroe this coming Sunday, May 18th.
May 11, 2008
this week’s CJWN calendar
Tuesday Verses; Carver Community Clean-up and Cook Out; Bend Your Ear; Broad Appétit; MORE…
May 9, 2008
Pantele for mayor?
The Richmond Free Press is reporting that 2nd District Representative and City Council President William Pantele will soon be joining Delegate Jones, Paul Goldman, and Lawrence Williams in the upcoming mayoral race. Pantele would have to give up his council seat to run…
May 9, 2008
Sector 413 report for April
Lieutenant Drews’s monthly report (PDF) for the Richmond Police Department’s Sector 413 is now available (PDF). The report includes a few “most wanted”, a list of narcotics arrests in the area, and several “Significant Arrests” that include”
A citizen called to report that he had just encountered someone breaking in to his home at 402 W. Clay St. The citizen struck the suspect several times with a baseball bat and chased him out of his home. He was able to give a great description of the suspect and he was apprehended at 2nd & Leigh just moments later by Officer Steve Thomas. Robert White was charged with burglary.
May 8, 2008
one-to-one replacement the issue at RRHA public meeting
RRHA held a public hearing on their proposed 2008 Agency Plan this evening at the Calhoun Center in Gilpin Court. The agency presented their plan to “change the face of public housing”, described the budget challenges that they face, and took heat from residents and advocates on the RRHA’s innability to promise a one-to-one replacement of any housing units sold or demolished.
May 7, 2008
Carver Community Clean-Up and Cookout
The AmeriCorps program is hosting a Carver Community Clean-up and Cook Out event on May 16th from 12-4PM to celebrate AmeriCorps Week. They are looking for volunteers to work beside AmeriCorps and community members. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact (804)828-8850. [via]
May 6, 2008
Richmond Downtown Master Plan public hearing announced for May 19
A public hearing on the Richmond Downtown Master Plan in front of the City Planning Commission has been announced for Monday, May 19th @1:30PM. The Commission will consider adoption of the plan and recommendation for approval to City Council; the public is encouraged to attend the meeting. (event flyer)
