New traffic signal activation at Cumberland and Laurel streets

From City news release:

RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) will activate a new traffic signal at Cumberland and Laurel streets. Over the next week, weather permitting, the signal will be energized and temporarily placed in a flashing mode to alert motorists about the new traffic pattern. People are encouraged to exercise caution as the new signal is placed in activation mode.

People driving on Cumberland Street will see signals flashing yellow and will no longer stop, while
People driving on Laurel Street will see signals flashing red and must stop
The flashing mode provides motorists and pedestrians with an opportunity to adjust to the new pattern for about a week before it becomes a fully functioning signal-controlled intersection.

In addition, traffic signal work will begin later this month at these intersections:

-Patterson Avenue and Pepper Avenue – Installing a new traffic signal for proactive maintenance
-Midlothian Turnpike at 32nd Street – Upgrading the existing traffic signal

Features for these projects include:

Overhead traffic signals on mast arm poles with high visibility backplates
Countdown pedestrian signals with push buttons and high visibility crosswalk markings
Accessible ramps for all ages and abilities with new sidewalks
During construction, there will be intermittent lane and sidewalk closures and the public is urged to follow posted signage for safety. Please remember to slow down when you see orange cones in the work zones and give construction workers extra space.

Weather permitting, these new projects are scheduled for completion in Fall 2025.

These projects are part of the city’s ongoing Vision Zero efforts to improve road safety and to modernize infrastructure across the city.

For information on DPW, go to www.rva.gov/public-works or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on X (Twitter) @DPW_RichmondVA

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Street Stuff

A couple of street/traffic/parking concerns:

A hole opened up in the 600 block of S. Laurel St. where there had been water utility repairs.


It has been reported to the City and there is a large traffic barrel sitting over it right now.

Also, the City made an announcement concerning upcoming work. From Monday, June 17 to Tuesday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., around the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Laurel Street,
contractors will be installing signal poles, traffic signal controllers, countdown pedestrian signal heads, push buttons and other traffic signal equipment. Some lanes of travel will be temporarily closed during this process.

In addition, street cleaning will be taking place next week. Watch for the signs or risk getting towed!

Cherry Street Photo

From this 1905 Sanborn (below) it appears that the business on the corner (that comes out to the curb) was at the corner of Canal (now Cumberland) and Cherry! So this is actually a photo of the west side of the 100 block of Cherry. The frame house that still stands on the west side of the 100 block of Cherry (once occupied by the Jenkins family) is the white frame house on the right hand side of the photo. The City Auditorium (now VCU recreational center) is in the background.

Many older residents remember when VCU demolished the three fine brick buildings shown in the photo to the left (south) of the Jenkins House. (The corner store had already been demolished but VCU demolished the neat carriage house show on the map behind the corner store.)

Demolition of Historic Houses On Cumberland?

The entire row of houses on the 900 block of Cumberland has been surrounded by 8 ft fence. The St. Andrew foundation board, which owns the property, has not been forthcoming about their plans (and, close by, neither has the VCU administration), and many neighbors fear imminent demolition.

Its important to note that houses at 912-914 Cumberland Street and 200 and 202 South Linden Street, constitute one of the earliest examples of subsidized housing in Virginia and are part of Grace Arent’s legacy.

For many longtime residents this brings up ill will from a previous Linden Street demolition.

Recent Crimes

From CommunityCrimeMap.com:

ALL OTHER LARCENY
6XX ALBEMARLE ST
Sep 9, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police Department

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
6XX CHINA ST
Sep 9, 2018 at 12:30 am
Data provided by Richmond Police Department

HIT AND RUN
3XX S LAUREL ST
Sep 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police Department

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
6XX CUMBERLAND ST
Sep 7, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Data provided by Richmond Police Department

Litter Cleanup Monday with RVA Clean Sweep and VCU’s Ram Camp

The 5th District and RVA Clean Sweep are partnering with RAM CAMP again this year to pick up litter throughout the city! RAM CAMP is VCU’s welcome week for new freshmen students. They all know there is a community service component to the week. RAM CAMP volunteers will be in the neighborhood this coming Monday, August 13 from ~8:45 am-noon. They will be meeting at the Peddler On Pine Street restaurant. Wonderful neighbors will be helping lead this effort along with a RVA Clean Sweep volunteer lead. The focus will be litter pick up on Idlewood & Cumberland along with graffiti removal from public property. All are welcome to join in!

For more information, visit the MeetUp page by clicking here.