Dear Ms. Ebert,

I was pleased to hear that you have removed 606 Spring Street and 609 China Street from the Biennial Real Estate Strategies Plan list for city property proposed to be sold. So that this error does not happen again, it is imperative that these lots are properly listed in city records as city park land and part of Oregon Hill’s linear park.

Thanks to the great help of the City Clerk’s office and the City Record’s librarian, I have located the City Council Ordinance 85-285 whereby the City Council authorized the purchase of the lots to create the linear park when Belvidere Street was widened. As noted in the Ordinance: “The purpose of this paper is to authorized city acquisition of the residual portions of the properties, and in some instances, additional properties that front on the side streets.” These two lots at 606 Spring Street and 609 China Street were among the additional properties that front on the side streets as shown on the Plats 21444 and 21437 attached to the ordinance. (Please see attached ordinance and details from the plats.)

In 1998 the Richmond City Council approved Council Resolution 98-R61-77. The purpose of this Resolution was to accept $2,336 from the Save Oregon Hill Organization to build the gazebo on the Oregon Hill park land that was formerly known as 609 China Street. This gazebo is still located on city park land on what was formerly known as 609 China Street. (Please see the attached photograph).

This is the link to the Council Resolution 98-R61-77:
https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=2151094&GUID=44542EF4-3CB6-463B-AD25-9F247102E503&Options=ID|Text|&Search=Oregon+Hill

As shown in the attached 1990 plan for the linear city park, 606 Spring Street and 609 China Street are essential portions of Oregon Hill’s park. (Please see attachment.)

Please update all city records to show that 606 Spring Street and 609 China Street are city park land. Our city park land is precious.

Sincerely,

Charles Pool