archive for May, 2008
May 12, 2008
Broad Appetit is this Sunday
The First Annual Broad Appetit Food and Art Celebration which will take over Broad Street between Adams and Monroe this coming Sunday, May 18th.
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 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 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 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 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 Appetit, 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 23, 2008
Jackson Ward Peoples Resource Library seeks donations, volunteers
all day, every day has some info about the Jackson Ward Peoples Resource Library:
Gallery5 plans to convert its Blackbox Theatre into a community library, resource center and meeting space. A place where individuals can come for educational and recreational reading, intellectual or nonsensical discussion, surf the web with free wi-fi access, or even just a place to relax over a steamy cup of coffee (donation-based) and fresh baked goods. We also hope to provide a public meeting area for local area activist and organizations to gather that’s more inviting than commercial establishments and living rooms.
May 26, 2008
hundreds of motorcycles!
ChildSavers of Richmond/Memorial Child Guidance Clinic (MCGC) is partnering with the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club of Virginia to sponsor the Third Annual Ride for ChildSavers on Saturday, May 31. This benefit to help ChildSavers bring hope and healing to Richmond’s children will roll through Gilpin at about 10:40AM, and then through Gilpin and Mosby to end at Chimborazo Park at about 11:00AM. Check out a photo set from last year’s ride.
May 27, 2008
this week’s calendar
Tuesday Verses; Hoots, Prabir, Shultz, n more; Jackson Ward walking tour; CACIL meeting; MORE…
May 28, 2008
Jackson Ward walking tour this Sunday
The Valentine Richmond History Center will be leading a walking tour of Jackson Ward on June 1.
Known as the “birthplace of Black Capitalism,” Jackson Ward is rich in African American history and culture and boasts a large number of pre-Civil War homes. Tour includes the Maggie L. Walker Historic Site, the A.D. Price Funeral Home, the Dill House and rehabilitated businesses and town homes.
May 28, 2008
small fire, no injuries
The RTD is saying that “no injuries were reported this morning in a fire in the kitchen [...] in the first block of East Leigh Street, near the St. James Street intersection” at about 8:30AM today.
May 29, 2008
Pantele launches bid for mayor
As called by the Free Press 3 weeks ago, 2nd District Representative and City Council President William Pantele used last night’s fund raising event to announce his candidacy for mayor:
“I want to fulfill the promise of this great capital city,” he said. “Five years ago, we were frustrated by the poorly-run government, the poor ethics and the city was not reaching its potential so we moved to an elected mayor form of government to put aside politics, unify the region and realize those dreams. Today, we’re still unfulfilled. [via]
