Possible Demolition and Replacement of the VCU Gladding Residence Center

From Councilperson Agelasto’s FaceBook page:

Many VCU students live in the immediate neighborhoods surrounding Monroe Park. Last year, VCU composed a Housing Master Plan to address its future need for on-campus options. Take a look at plans that include the possible demolition and replacement of the Gladding Residence Center on W. Main Street. The entire proposal would net an additional 800+ on-campus beds for students.

http://www.housing.vcu.edu/media/housing/docs/VCU_Housing_Master_Plan_2014_FINAL-screen.pdf

Some Oregon Hill neighbors have already stressed to VCU officials the importance of preserving the historic Branch Bath House on Main Street, which is part of the Gladding Residence Center.

Architect Robert Winthrop was instrumental in convincing VCU to save the Branch Bath #2 when they built the Gladding residence.

St. Andrew’s School Reaches Fundraising Goal

RichmondBizsense.com has an article on how St. Andrew’s School has been able to raise money for renovating its 114-year-old building. An excerpt from the article:

St. Andrew’s School in Oregon Hill recently completed its capital campaign, surpassing its $1.2 million goal by nearly $300,000 within five months, allowing it to update its historic building at 227 S. Cherry St.

St. Andrew’s teaches students from low-income local families and offers an alternative to their assigned public school. All students are given full scholarships, and the school provides free breakfast, lunch and a snack each school day. Full capacity is about 96 students

St. Andrew’s teaches kids from kindergarten through 5th grade, and its current capacity is less than 100 students.
St. Andrew’s teaches kids from kindergarten through 5th grade, and its current capacity is less than 100 students.
The school’s Building Improvement Initiative fundraising campaign began in September. Head of School Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter said the renovations are the first step of multiple phases that will allow St. Andrew’s to better serve its students.

Illegally Demolished Historic Wall To Be Rebuilt HIGHER

After the historic Tredegar wall was illegally demolished several years ago, and much controversy resulted, several promises were made to rebuild the wall.

Recently, a neighbor who works in historic preservation has been helping preparations to finally start work on rebuilding the wall.

However, this website has recently learned that there are new plans to rebuild the wall at least twenty feet higher than its previous height. No one could comment on this development at press time.

While it remains a mystery as to the exact reasons being given for this raise, there is some speculation on the need to use ‘extra’ historic bricks that will be made available from the planned updating of old City Hall. Some Oregon Hill residents believe the higher wall will be used to host community movie screenings, while others believe that the City is preparing the wall for river level rise due to climate change.

Please stay tuned as this story develops.

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New Nearby Development

RichmondBizSense.com has an article on new townhouse construction planned for the eastern portion of Randolph neighborhood.

From the article:

Richmond’s own TriBeCa – a cluster of brownstone three-story homes on the easternmost edge of the Randolph neighborhood – has begun work on six more units, with nine additional detached homes planned next year.

The Lower Manhattan neighborhood’s name is an acronym for Triangle Below Canal Street, and its Richmond counterpart is short for Triangle Below Cary Street. Its inspiration is a triangle of land that is bordered by South Harrison Street and Grayland and Idlewood avenues.

It’s interesting that the article makes no mention of the Idlewood roundabout project, which should be starting construction also.

Harrison/Cumberland Intersection Likely Closed Till Monday

From VCU’s LiveSafe app:

VCU has recvd information that Richmond City has plans to repair the water main at Harrison & Cumberland tomorrow morning. The pavement restoration will probably not be completed until next Monday. Harrison Street will remain closed except for the deck patrons until then. Richmond City is working aggressively to have the street open before the Men’s Basketball Game on Tuesday night 01.27/VCU Police