This is not Oregon Hill news, but it is newsworthy, and does relate back to the neighborhood’s efforts to preserve Canal and riverfront history. Laurel Street neighbor Charles Pool has submitted a detailed comment in the ongoing Stone Brewing/Intermediate Terminal building controversy. (City Council has delayed voting on the Stone matter six times now!).

Please click here to see the full comment in PDF form.

Summary:
• Intermediate Terminal #3 is a rare resource associated with Richmond’s
important history as a thriving port on the James River.
• The building was completed in 1938 as a New Deal project with federal
funding from the Public Works Administration.
• The Terminal played an important role in the life of the city as a municipally-
owned warehouse for commodities imported (such as sugar from Cuba) and
exported (such as tobacco).
• The Intermediate Terminal #3 in authentic, unaltered condition as
confirmed by the original building blueprints.
• The building is structurally sound, built with steel-reinforced concrete as
confirmed by the building permit, blueprints, building specifications and
visual inspection.
• The Intermediate Terminal #3 is one of the first commercial buildings in
Richmond built on piers to avoid flooding of the James River.
• The building is a low-rise structure that does not adversely impact the
important viewshed from Libby Hill.
• Intermediate Terminal #3 should be preserved as one of the few surviving
landmarks associated with Richmond’s port history.