From OHNA President Valerie L’Herrou:
It’s interesting that the city zoning folks keep telling us that the city doesn’t consider those blocks of the neighborhood north of the expressway to be part of Oregon Hill. But these pennants in the 100 block of S Laurel seem to indicate otherwise.
Also see earlier post: Pine Street ‘Heights’
While the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association is reviewing its bylaws and considering updates in regard to membership and agenda making, the King of Oregon Hill is re-visiting and re-contemplating what it means to be a subject and citizen.
“Given the dismantling of the administrative American state and the corporate takeover accompanying it, as the United States cancels more than 300 student visas, as over 50 universities are under investigation as part of Trump’s anti-DEI crackdown, as free speech and civil rights come under increasing pressure, all people residing in North America should be asking themselves what they can do to protect the more vulnerable, the targeted, the ‘invisibled’, the next-on-the-list,” The King said.
He went on-
“It’s not clear if a printed document from a small, relatively poor, internal micronation would be seen as anything more than a joke, but I am thinking of our humanitarian duty to do something, even if merely symbolic, to offer shield, escape, or hope. It’s important to remember that the United States once served as a beacon to the world. Of course, ideally, I would wish that Burgerian citizenship would come with additional benefits such as universal, single payer health care and distributed renewable energy, but these would also require more contracting, allegiance, and actual sacrifice. As the United States falters, more trappings and tools of statehood may need to be implemented here, without directly challenging the host country. Despite past racism, intimidation, and its roots as a ‘company town’ for Tredegar Iron Works, Oregon Hill has, at least in theory, ‘open borders’ and a sense of liberty which ideally can still be defended.”
Oregon Hill residents, knowing what time of year it is, have started gathering branches and wood scraps for this year’s neighborhood Wickerman.
The Beltain festivities’ location will be in Parsons Linear Park along the 600 block of S.Belvidere (across from the Virginia War Memorial).
Valerie, the current neighborhood association president, says the Wicker Man’s construction will be undertaken by a subcommittee of the Friends Of Oregon Hill Parks, and questions should be submitted to that group. Faidra, one of the main members, has already volunteered that they are in the midst of deciding on a selection of local produce, unruly dogs, and either a first year student from either VCU or the Virginia Theological Seminary.
“We were asked about babies, but we are drawing the line on them, at least for this year”, she added.
Click here to see footage from previous years’ Wicker Man in Richmond Sister City, Summerisle, in southwestern Scotland.
Reeling from accusations that new ‘pattern books’ contain multiple serious errors with growing neighborhood concerns, the City’s ‘Richmond300 Committee has declared that grave misalignments must be identified and corrected.
New development on W.Cary Street in the Fan.
In order to dispel the acridity and seek more harmony, the Planning Commission has called on Maria Peach, a globally recognized teacher, speaker, healer, and writer, who known for her work on the chakra system and its connection to human psychology and spiritual growth.
Her fees were not available at press time, but City planners have expressed great confidence in this expert’s ability to properly diagnose and channel the root lines and ultimately help the City discover, decode, and harness its life force.
“We believe that by addressing the subtle energy matrix, we can open a powerful path for sustainable healing,” stated a member of the City’s Code Refresh Task Force. “We are putting all of our crystals on the table and going back to the maps so that we can solve blockages and imbalances. We want to clear the negativity for not just Oregon Hill, but all neighborhoods and residents.”
For their part, Oregon Hill neighbors have signaled that they are willing to do the meditation, breathing exercises, and shadow work necessary to realign and eventually come to an understanding.
“There is no direct mention of the chakras in the City Code. While this might seem like a cause for concern, it is important to note that viruses, hormones, ultraviolet rays, or even “the Trinity” cannot be found in the City Code either!” explained one enlightened neighbor.
Photo by Arjan Stalpers on Unsplash
Now that Spring as arrived, Oregon Hill restaurant owners are getting ready to announce a promotional event, when, for two days, patrons can visit every restaurant in the neighborhood and enjoy at least one item in exchange for showing one master ticket. The idea is that people can walk from restaurant to restaurant and sample pre-designated fare, some which may be made special for the event.
It’s based on the traditional ‘progressive dinner party’, which involves a group of friends planning a meal with each course served at a different person’s home, making the party progress from house to house. Instead of eating an entire meal at one location, the group moves from one location to the next, with each location serving a different course.
The event will be called ‘The Oregon Hill Round Robin’ and will most likely take place early June, as more preparations and advertising are needed before official launch. It will undoubtedly happen during the week so it does not interfere with the weekend crowds. The names of the restaurants have not officially been listed (though at least 5 have committed), but they have all been described as within Oregon Hill’s ‘historic boundaries’ (which technically go to Broad Street and stretch into what is considered VCU’s academic campus) ‘or adjacent’.
West Cary Street looking westward from S. Pine
The ticket price for the Oregon Hill Round Robin has not been settled on yet either, though the figure of $100 has been bandied about.
Local foodies are all in a flutter, wondering and imagining how the menu will transpire. Many of them are thinking of breakfast food along W.Cary Street, while others are looking forward to a new Asian creation from the Grace Street or Belvidere Street area.
This photo is of the eastern side of the 100 block of S.Pine Street. You can see on the northern end where a row house was sacrificed for an apartment building’s parking lot, but the remaining historic houses have been beautifully renovated.
Sadly, this block was separated from the rest of “the Hill” by the construction of 195, but it is still considered part of Oregon Hill neighborhood. Some wryly refer to the area north of the expressway as “the Oregon Hill Heights”.
What’s even sadder is the the City’s own Planning Commission has recently drawn its new ‘pattern book’ for the neighborhood without including “the Heights”, challenging the neighborhood’s defined borders and angering many residents.
This is seen as part of a long campaign to do away with this historic neighborhood, even if it means gradually chipping away, decade after decade. It’s the long battle of preservation.
New development on W.Cary Street in the Fan.
This is very similar to what was warned about previously in a mock up from 5-years ago.
But, here we are. Oregon Hill residents have spoken up from the very beginning of the discussion, from the first ‘charrettes’ of the ‘Richmond300’ to the latest on ‘Code Refresh’ from the Planning Department. Every single step of the way, Oregon Hill residents and neighborhood association have reiterated support for protecting our historic streetscapes and keeping the R-7 zoning with its height limit. There have been heartfelt editorials and letters to the editor. There have been pleas to elected officials. There’s also pre-history on this, from street protests against demolition to smaller meetings with City officials about supposed overlays that turned out to be nothing but hot air.
But, again, here we are. Take a look at the proposed zoning changes. Even the RA-A designation would raise the height limit to 40′, incentivizing developers to demolish more houses and ruin the streetscapes of this nationally-recognized, historic neighborhood. It would undue decades of hard, preservation work by citizens who have stuck with this City for decades, through good and bad times.
In short, this is betrayal. It also speaks volumes on why citizens look askance at ‘focus meetings’ and ‘providing input’ – what do these things matter if the City government is going to always put developers over citizens?
Yet, one more chance to try to change minds-
From the City of Richmond Planning Department, Re: 300 Plan.
Proposed New Zoning Districts Survey
If you were unable to make it to the open houses, you can view the boards on the City’s webpage, and take our survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF) by March 31st to tell us your thoughts on the proposed new zoning districts.
From email announcement:
MONTHLY MEETING:
Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm. Agenda and link to join attached and below.
Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link redacted. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com)
A G E N D A
Welcome
Community and local Officials Updates: Police, VCU, RVA, City Council
Committee updates: Zoning, FoOHP, RvaPB, Stop Sign Safety (Bylaws cte will present during “Discussions” portion of the meeting
Announcements:
April OHNA meeting to be in person, 6pm at Pine Street Baptist; supper, presentation from PSB.
April “Big Event” neighborhood clean up day with VCU student volunteers
Discussions
Bylaws Committee presentation and discussion (no vote)
New Business:
______________________________________________________________________
O T H E R N E W S:
Save the Date: April OHNA meeting and Pasta Supper!
April’s OHNA meeting will be in person Tuesday April 22 at Pine Street Baptist Church! Our hosts will provide a pasta supper, make a presentation about updates at PSB, and surveying neighbors about what role they would like the church to have in the community. We will begin early: 6pm. Hope to see you there!
Friends of Oregon Hill Parks news:
Holly Street Playground upgrade: The next FOOHP HSP upgrade event, an engagement and feedback session, will be April 24 at 5:30 pm at Pine Street Baptist Church
Holly Street Playground cleanup day: Sunday Apr 13, Holly St. Playground
Oregon Hill Easter Egg Hunt, Holly Street Playground, Sunday April 13 at 3pm
Oregon Hill Open Garden Day: May 17.
Add your garden to the tour! Email: Friendsoforegonhillparks@gmail.com
Historic Richmond is hosting a free community lecture, “Preservation is Planning,” Thursday, March 27th at 6 – 8pm, at Monumental Church (1224 E Broad St) https://historicrichmond.com/detail/preservation-as-planning-2/
Zoning “Code Refresh:”
Learn more about this project, review neighborhood “Pattern Books” and provide your opinion: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/code-refresh [rva.gov]
Online survey ends March 31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYVYQCF [surveymonkey.com]
SIGN UP to receive updates from our City Council Member, Stephanie Lynch: http://bit.ly/4bUbRJy
People’s Budget (Participatory Budgeting)
It’s almost time to vote for the projects submitted, including an OH Dog Park. CLICK HERE to learn everything you need to know! You can vote:
Online – Vote from anywhere, anytime between April 1-15
In-Person – Visit a voting location on select dates in April
V O L U N T E E R:
VCU “Big Event” OH neighborhood Cleanup
Students will volunteer to help us in a neighborhood clean up, meeting at Pleasants Park on Sat April 5 at 9:30 am.
Volunteer for your street! Email: OHNArva@gmail.com
Joint OHNA / VCU Community-Student Problem-Solving Workgroup
Frustrated by students throwing loud parties and littering? Volunteer to meet with VCU police and students affairs staff to develop plans to integrate students into the neighborhood and reduce problem behavior. Email: OHNArva@gmail.com
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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice President
Susan Hill, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
David Shannon, Co-Vice President
Scott Racette, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86
Oregon Hill board members are very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Clark Davis (1950-2025). Clark was for many years the head carpenter and construction manager for the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council. He managed the renovation of many historic homes in the neighborhood and was well respected for his high standards in the building trades.
Clark renovated his home in the 600 block of South Pine Street where he lived for many years with his daughter Zella, son Zero and former wife Alexandra “Sandy” Pappas, who survive him. His daughter, Nelly Jean, preceded him in death. Clark lived happily in Richmond with his devoted wife, Gail Leviner, until he passed away.
Clark was a talented guitarist and loved spending time at the river. He had an infectious sense of humor and was always willing to give a helping hand. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
“If you ask Valerie L’Herrou, she’ll tell you that there is a “historical feeling that Oregon Hill is under attack.”
L’Herrou, who is president of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, attributed that feeling to decades of mistreatment — from racist redlining that denied financial resources to residents, to Ethyl Corp.’s acquisition and demolition of historic homes, to being rent in two by the Downtown Expressway, to Virginia Commonwealth University’s attempt to snap up land and tear down significant landmarks.
Oregon Hill’s residents managed to weather Ethyl and the interstate, and to stave off VCU’s expansion bid. Had they not done the latter, the parcel of land on which L’Herrou’s house is built would now host a college soccer field.
But 43 years later, she said it seems as if the war is back on.
L’Herrou said residents are anxious about the city’s zoning overhaul process, which has deemed more than 80% of Oregon Hill’s buildings out of conformity with the current zoning ordinance. The so-called nonconformities will influence possible zoning changes, which L’Herrou and others fear could result in the demolition of the quaint historic homes that define the neighborhood in favor of large, modern developments.”
Many residents are very thankful for this attention by reporter Sam Parker and urge him to keep investigating. For Planning Dept. officials to not seem to care about the accuracy of the ‘pattern book’ that Richmond taxpayers paid for is shocking. This sadly corresponds with incorrect data from the ‘Richmond300’ team that declared that Oregon Hill was ‘mixed use’.
Hopefully the media spotlight will continue when the neighborhood is barraged later this spring, summer, and fall by crowds and noise from the new amphitheater and Brown’s Island concerts. It’s not lost on Oregon Hill residents that their stages are pointed right at the neighborhood.
The feeling is certainly one of being ‘under siege’.