redevelopment archive
July 16, 2008
Black business owners tend to support Downtown Plan
The Richmond Voice, going out into the neighborhood, has found black business owners in the Jackson Ward area are generally supportive of the Downtown Plan so far. The article quotes one anonymous business owner saying that he did not find anything controversial in the plan and that is the reason for him not attending the meetings, another says “it will be great”, and a third says “it’s well deserved and I hope that all taxpayers in the city will be able to take advantage of it”.
July 11, 2008
kick-off ceremony @ B.T.Washington
Renovation officially began today with a kick-off ceremony on the historic buildings at 21 East Leigh Street. City’s Community Development Director Rachel Flynn, local developer Kelvin Hanson and Historic Jackson Ward Association President Charles Finley, Mayor Wilder, architect Walter Parks, and Neverette Eggleston all spoke on the past and future of the building and then tours were given of the building.
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 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 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 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)
May 6, 2008
Introduction to Porch Repair and Reconstruction rescheduled
The Pythagoras School in conjunction with The Historic Jackson Ward Association and Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church is happy to announce the rescheduled Introduction to Porch Repair and Reconstruction now set for June 23-27, 2008 - 8AM to 4PM daily @ 1 W Duval Street.
May 2, 2008
Ronald Stallings named 2008 Real Estate Visionary of the Year
Ronald Stallings, president of a real estate development company that has renovated or redeveloped 47 properties in Jackson Ward, Walker Row Partnership, was named 2008 Real Estate Visionary of the Year by the Richmond Real Estate Group last week. His projects include “the 2C condominiums, the W.W. Browne House, the Southern Aid Life Insurance Building, Jackson Commons Partnership, the Tucker Cottage, Studio 516, the Brook Road Lofts and town houses throughout the neighborhood”. [via]
April 10, 2008
great housing opportunity for Richmond city employees
RRHA is offering the opportunity to own the under-renovation 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath home at 308 W. Leigh St. with up to $80,000 in assistance in the form of a forgivable loan (funded by Capital One). To qualify to purchase, the buyer must be a full-time city of Richmond employee (including law-enforcement officers, pre-k through 12th-grade teachers, or firefighters/emergency medical technicians). An open house is scheduled for this Saturday from 10AM to 1PM. [via]
April 5, 2008
from in/on the Bakery Condos, Emrick Flats
From the Carver&Jackson Ward flickr pool, check out this set of photos from the new Bakery Condos. See also a February 2007 set from in/on the Emrick Flats building.
