With auction time approaching, at least three different developers have contacted Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association leadership about the Victory Rug building on Cherry Street. Some of them are known for previous projects in the neighborhood.
At the same time, neighbors are becoming increasingly concerned about what type of redevelopment will take place. There is hope that a low impact business, non-profit, or art gallery may find residence in the building. Many are concerned that if the building is retrofitted for a dozen or so VCU student apartments, it will be detrimental for the neighborhood. Some plan to attend the auction itself to make sure that developers understand their concerns.
Exacerbating these fears is the news that developers are already contacting property owners on Albemarle Street with an interest in purchasing property adjacent to Victory Rug. The assumption is that the developers are interested in demolishing these properties for parking for apartments in the Victory Rug building. A parking lot is not a permitted use of property in the R-7 zoning. This could really devastate the 800 block of Albemarle Street and the historic fabric of the neighborhood.
I’d hope that neighbors’ concerns mostly lies within the possibility of this building being demolished… It’s not protected within a local district; I’d rather see students occupy what’s already there, rather than a new development.
Id rather see it dropped than developed into 16-20 apartments. The lot could only support 2-3 single family houses. I am very pro preservation, by the way. There is an appropriate development for this property, unfortunately it might not be the most profitable.
BTW, the building is worth too much in Fed/State historic tax credits and city abatement to pull it down. The auction price will bring much more than the bare land is worth.
And what’s appropriate is tearing it down? Just so you can have a vinyl house with a picket fence next door? That could also just as well be occupied by students? I’d rather see students in an (historic) apartment building than their littered beer cans and couches in an exposed front yard.
I understand this community’s frustrations with VCU–I too have my own frustrations with the university–but I truly do not understand the neighborhood’s blatant hatred for VCU development in placement of Richmond’s best interest i.e. it’s history, urban fabric, architecture, etc.
I know you’ve fought the good fight with the Main Street Gym and other instances… still ruffles my feathers a bit, however.
Just expressing my opinion in a venue of which I’m sure probably isn’t the best… Not meaning to offend anyone.
Kathleen,
I am not interested in rehashing the whole Cary Street Gym saga here, but I will say that the neighborhood’s real beefs have been less with VCU as a whole than with VCU administrations, acting in collusion with other entities, that have been breaking promises and taking whole blocks of our neighborhood for decades. Its their dishonorable conduct which is most upsetting. We are all hoping that Rao will be different, but understand that VCU’s expansionism, despite its own growing pains (how’s that tuition increase?), remains a threat.
I will also suggest that Richmond has sacrificed a lot for VCU’s growth, and the resulting parking garages, corporate chain restaurants, and underwhelming design is not above criticism, despite what much of the local media might lead you to believe. VCU’s best interests and developers’ best interests do not necessarily represent the neighborhood’s best interests or even Richmond’s best interests.
I agree that “I’d rather see students in an (historic) apartment building than their littered beer cans and couches in an exposed front yard.” But you say that like those are the only possibilities allowed. No offense to students, but neighbors have other ideas as well.
I agree with you Scott. I’m not a student at VCU, never was, and am a preservationist by nature. I’m aware of VCU’s impact and am actually monitoring their Master Plan process–much like you are–and the neighborhoods they are impacting. We both know that Oregon Hill is supposed to not be a part of their plan… but I’m sure we both also know that a Master Plan is just that–a plan/living and breathing document subject to change.
What I am trying to express, perhaps not so clearly, is that it frustrates me that what comes across as your number 1 concern… as the worst thing that could happen… is that VCU could occupy this building. On any given day, I’d rather see a building saved than demolished–for preservation purposes, social purposes, and environmental purposes.
I’m on your team–I understand VCU doesn’t always have Richmond’s best interest in mind–I’d just like to see preservation be the number 1 concern here, and I hope (and hopefully you do too) that whoever does end up purchasing the building plans to save it.
And I meant no offense with my “however” comment–I was referring to my previous statements, not the Cary Street Gym saga.
You mention a Master Plan. Again, I don’t want to rehash the whole experience, but when VCU realized the Cary Street Gym was in conflict with their Master Plan, the administration very suddenly changed it to accomodate their Gym plans. The fact is that “community partners” like Oregon Hill can no longer trust “VCU’s Master Plan”- we need something more substantial.
As Todd observed, neighbors do not think there is a likelihood of the building itself being demolished due to its own value. However, if its use radically changes to accomodate a dozen or more apartments, then it could effect teh entire area around it.
Unfortunately, when it comes local renovation, it gets to be a rather simple equation- more VCU student apartments means more cars, which means some developers try to take down nearby houses and other lots for parking. We have seen this happen.
We hope that we can count on City government to recognize that density must work in favor of neighborhoods, not against them.
I hope I am offering some persepctive. I do appreciate your input here.
Todd et al– so it looks like the Finch family has a new neighbor, sadly. We are crushed to see this quiet commercial structure change hands in our neighborhood. If it cannot stay zoned as a commercial structure only, then we would like to work with you and others to ensure limited occupant density to just a few condos (under 6), with no option for rental or apartments in the building’s association by-laws. Oregon Hill is a neighborhood, not an apartment complex. It would further damage the character of a residential neighborhood. This is not a converted industrial zone like Manchester. This is a family neighborhood. If you are available, let’s meet to discuss. Thanks, Allen.
next ohna meeting is tuesday, dec 27 at 7 pm at wbch at 224 s cherry. we all have skin in this game and want the most appropriate use for this parcel.