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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Richmond Water Emergency UPDATED

Yesterday afternoon, rumors appeared on social media about problems with Richmond’s water utility in the wake of the winter storm.

The new mayor, Danny Avula held a news conference at 8 am this morning. He said water pressure may begin to be restored across the city in the next 4 to 6 hours.
A boil water advisory remains in effect and is expected to last approximately 48 hours due to the ongoing issues.

The City of Richmond’s Human Services partnered with the Richmond Sherrif’s Office and the American Red Cross to coordinate the distribution of bottled water on Monday to vulnerable populations and has been in close communication with providers serving the City’s most vulnerable communities. Water was distributed in high priority areas including homeless services providers, public housing, and residences that house older adults. Targeted outreach and distribution to areas of high need and vulnerable populations will continue.

UPDATE:
Per the Mayor/City Administration:

https://rva.gov/press-releases-and-announcements/news/city-richmond-restores-water-production

City of Richmond restores water production

As of 12:00 p.m., the City of Richmond has restored water production.
However, water pressure will take at least several hours to build up before it can be distributed through the network.
Residents are asked to continue conserving water when possible.
The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect for residents who have water access until all required testing is complete and approved in accordance with drinking water quality standards.
Until the Advisory is lifted, all residents should continue to boil water before consuming it.
The City will communicate new information as it becomes available through rva.gov and its social media pages. 
As a reminder, residents experiencing emergencies should call 9-1-1 and can call RVA311 (3-1-1 or 804-646-7000) to submit a service request.

OHNA: December Meeting Dec 17 at 7pm at Pine Street Baptist Church

From email announcement:

Dear Neighbors:

OHNA: December Meeting Dec 17 at 7pm at Pine Street Baptist Church
Please join us for the December meeting of OHNA, which will be held in person at Pine Street Baptist Church! An online option will also be provided. Please bring a snack to share! NON-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Note that the meeting is being held early to avoid conflict with the holidays. An agenda with zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting.

Of Interest:

Apply to be on the Public Art Commission!
The Public Art Commission (PAC) is looking for new members!
The PAC is composed of nine members, with one appointed by the mayor and eight by City Council. Four of the appointees must be arts professionals, one must be a member of the Urban Design Committee or City Planning Commission, and one must be a City Council member. Learn more about the PAC duties and composition and apply to serve by December 15th: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/public-art-commission

Zoning Advisory Council Meeting • December 11, 4-6pm
The Zoning Advisory Council is tasked with advising the City Planning Commission on the zoning ordinance rewrite, Code Refresh. The December Zoning Advisory Council meeting will be held at City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, in the 5th floor conference room. The meeting will also be available virtually. These meetings are open to the public and will be recorded. For more information visit: https://www.rva.gov/coderefresh
Virtual link: https://richmond300.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5da7612bb3a773958ea388527&id=f494c42209&e=8b715bf9ce.

Public Education Advocacy Meeting • Wednesday, December 11 – 7:00 pm
The League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area (LWV-RMA) invites you to join an important conversation about the upcoming Virginia Legislative Session from the perspective of local school districts. This is a unique opportunity to engage with the advocacy leads in Chesterfield, Richmond, and Henrico as we discuss key issues that impact our schools, students, and the future of education in Virginia.
Registration link – https://rvaschools-net.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bJLrLPzQQI2skiGC_olY9Q#/registration

Latino Communities Code Refresh Roundtable • December 12, 6-7:15pm
The City of Richmond is updating its zoning code following the goals set in the Richmond 300 Master Plan. This update is an opportunity to align zoning with the city’s vision for future development, affordable housing, sustainability, and more.
La ciudad de Richmond está actualizando su código de zonificación siguiendo los objetivos establecidos en el Plan Maestro Richmond 300. Esta actualización es una oportunidad para alinear la zonificación con la visión de la ciudad para el desarrollo futuro, la vivienda accesible, la sostenibilidad y más.
Invitamos a los residentes de habla hispana de Richmond a participar en una mesa redonda virtual de 75 minutos sobre la actualización de zonificación el jueves 12 de diciembre, de 6:00 a 7:15 p. m. a través de Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucO-sqzMuEtyglg4qpVEStnqKfmug9dGB).

For OHNA,

Valerie L’Herrou


Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Mike Mathews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86

OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night

From email announcement:

AGENDA:
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 19 November 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
(Editor- Meeting information redacted from this post. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com if you need it.)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. VCU Police: Chief John Venuti, Major Nicole Dailey
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Discussion:
Student code of conduct violation processes (Dr Aaron Hart, VP of Student Affairs at VCU)

Announcements:
Bulletin Board in Pleasants Park
Pedestrian Beacon finally installed on Belvidere
Street Paving: make plans
Caring for the Community Day at St Andrews School
Street Art Festival
“Annual Town Meeting,” December 17–planning for in person

Updates and Continued Business

Committee Reports:
Treasurer Report
Zoning Committee
Friends of Oregon Hill Parks (FOOHP)
Bylaws Committee
Richmond Public Budgeting Liaison Committee

New Business
OHNA elections.
Current leadership roles under OHNA bylaws (President, Treasurer, Secretary, “one or more Vice Presidents.”)
Terms are for one year, to begin Jan 2025
Please nominate yourself or another to stand for an OHNA leadership role!

See you all on Tuesday!

Valerie L’Herrou


Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Mike Mathews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer
JOIN OHNA: https://forms.gle/joCpHqcPrShu8qf86

OHNA Meets Tuesday Night

From email announcement:

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association will meet on Zoom Tuesday evening, 10/22, at 7pm. The agenda is below and attached.

O T H E R N E W S :

Potential housing relief: The city of Richmond is considering providing some relief to low-income home owners and residents, including a property tax rebate for all property owners, and grants and tax relief for low-income renters and homeowners. Learn more about these proposals here: https://rva.gov/finance/rva-stay. They will be considered at City Council’s Oct 28 meeting.

Richmond Parks Survey: let the city know how you use city parks and what you’d like to see included in a city-wide parks and recreation plan: https://www.richmondinspire.com/

Get involved in zoning: Richmond is revising its zoning codes. This revision could have a big impact on Oregon Hill. Learn more about plans here: https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/code-refresh and view a webinar here: https://www.rva.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Zoning%20101%20Webinar%20-%20June%2024-25%202024.mp4

Hallowe’en: get ready for Halloween! If you are new to Oregon Hill, prepare for lots of trick-or-treaters, and the 19th annual All the Saints Theatre Co Parade, beginning 7pm in Monroe Park.

Election day: Nov 5. Vote at Clark Springs elementary school., 6am-7pm. You may also vote early, at the Office of Elections at 2134 West Laburnum Avenue or at satellite locations including City Hall at 900 East Broad Street the following days and times: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday through Friday until November 1st. You may also vote at these locations on the following days: 9am – 5pm Saturday, October 26th and November 2; and 1pm – 5pm Sunday, October 27th. The fifth district ballot: https://www.rva.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/FULL%20-%20District%205.pdf

Pleasants Park workday: November 9, 10-2. Please join us in weeding, mulching, and completing the brick borders around the beds.

November OHNA elections: at its November 17 meeting, OHNA will hold its annual elections. Consider getting more involved! Attend the meeting on Tuesday to learn more.

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 22 October 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.

(Editor’s note: Zoom meeting link redacted. Please contact ohnarva@gmail.com to obtain that link)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Q&A on street safety issues in OH:
Representative of Traffic Engineer Department of DPW.
Announcements:
Next Pleasants Park workday, November 9
Annual Town Meeting, December 17
All the Saints Halloween Parade
City “zoning refresh” process

Updates and Continued Business
1. Report Fall Festival Block Party, Halloween parade and activities (Harrison Moenich)
2. Friends of Oregon Hill Parks (FOOHP):
Next Pleasants Park workday
Planning process for Holly Street Playground updates
3. Update from Bylaws committee

New Business
Carter’s Dry Goods: discuss support for Jake Urbanksi to open a coffee shop?
November OHNA elections. Please consider taking on an OHNA leadership role!


Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer

Mandatory Homework for Mayoral Candidates

Photo by Julia M Cameron via Pexels.

New school year, but you know the drill

If you are a candidate for political office (state or City), and in particular a City mayoral candidate, please submit via official campaign email to info@oregonhill.net both a pledge (to defend the neighborhood from more VCU disrespect and encroachment, to recognize the demands already made to Richmond300 and the City of Richmond’s Planning Commission, and to do everything in your power to get VCU to make a written Memorandum of Understanding (aka MOU or commitment) to Oregon Hill, including but not limited to requesting a meeting with VCU Board of Visitors), but also a description of how you personally plan to defend and help this historic neighborhood if you win your election. In other words, what will you do to protect and defend, but also help and improve the Oregon Hill neighborhood.

This work will be accepted up to October 15. Late work will NOT be accepted. Grades will NOT be on a sliding scale.

By October 16, neighbors will know who NOT to vote for. We are looking for candidates who we CAN vote for. And make no mistake about it, Oregon Hill votes strongly and can be a deciding factor for the 5th District.

This comes at a time when the historic Oregon Hill district is under incredible pressure from developers (and let’s make no mistake about it, some of these people are little better than gangsters) and a new, corporate, riverfront amphitheater. Neighbors see the high-rise apartment buildings in Manchester and Scott’s Addition and don’t even recognize those neighborhoods anymore.

Neighbors are also watching the campaign contributions and making lists. Many of you may have taken part in the OHNA zoom meetings, but we know talk is cheap. Let’s see how your writing fares.

Historic preservationists have worked tirelessly to protect this small neighborhood’s historic streetscapes for decades. If you believe in historic preservation, now it is a good time to make the commitment.

OHNA Meeting This Tuesday

From email announcement:

Please plan to attend the OHNA meeting this Tuesday. The agenda is attached and below.
NOTE there will likely be a long discussion regarding recent events in the neighborhood such as out-of-control parties and the recent incident at Riverside park with dirtbikes and ATVs.

Be advised: after many complaints from multiple neighbors, parking enforcement will be coming through the neighborhood soon, and will be ticketing cars blocking alley access, in front of fire hydrants, on crosswalks, by no parking signs, and too close to intersections.

OREGON HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 24 September 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.
(Editor’s note: The Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please email ohnarva@gmail.com in advance of meeting)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Candidates:
Harrison Roday; Mamie Taylor
Announcements:

Updates and Continued Business
1. Fall Festival Block Party, Halloween parade and activities (Harrison Moenich)
2. Action: vote on Zoning Resolution (Charles Poole) (see attached, introduced at August mtg)
3. Richmond Participatory Budget news https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rvapbideas (Justin Liang)
4. Data collection: Events at Brown’s (Valerie L’Herrou)

2. New Business

Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer

2024 OHNA proposed zoning resolution
Whereas, the Oregon Hill Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic places and the Virginia Landmarks Register as a rare intact historic district built as a working class neighborhood, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is a built-out neighborhood of two-story dwellings with great density, having the majority of the homes attached on one or both sides, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill residents fought long and hard to obtain our current R-7 residential zoning, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning with a 35 foot height limit matches the neighborhood’s historic fabric and helps to protect the historic character of Oregon Hill, and
Whereas, the current R-7 zoning has allowed the Oregon Hill Historic District to thrive, with very few empty lots, and
Whereas, Section 17.05 of the Richmond City Charter states that a duty of the Planning Commission is to, “… preserve historical landmarks …”, and
Whereas, Oregon Hill is adjacent to and has faced encroachment by the adjacent Virginia Commonwealth University, and
Whereas, the City of Richmond values the character of its unique historic districts which make Richmond a special place to live, and must protect the character of our historic district through appropriate zoning,
Therefore, be it Resolved that the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association strongly urges the Richmond Planning Commission and the Richmond City Council to respect and maintain the R-7 zoning or its equivalent with a 35′ height limit within the Oregon Hill Historic District, in keeping with the current designation’s purpose in preserving the character of older urban neighborhoods in the city’s inner areas.

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Meets Tuesday

From email announcement:

Next Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting: Tuesday, August 27 at 7pm via zoom. Agenda is attached and pasted below.

OH Events:
Next Pleasants Park clean up day: Sept 21
Fourth Annual OH Halloween Block Party: Oct 19

Other News:

JOIN a City of Richmond board, committee, or commission, and represent Oregon Hill. There are multiple openings, including the Civilian Review Boarrd (police oversight), Ethics Reform Commission, Social Services Committee, Sister Cities Commission, City Planning Commission, Participatory Budget Steering Commission, and Community Transportation Commission. Some commissions have slots for particular populations, so read the requirements before applying.
Find openings and apply: https://www.rva.gov/office-city-clerk/boards-and-commissions

Community Health Survey: City of Richmond and Henrico County Health Districts: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=HWRH78RCMDWKDRPD&fbclid=IwY2xjawEvHKVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcNq0NlbpZsBMXHCk0gGeXOZoEkpTPeQxFhIbGFs38GNaO_x2LjWopJPHg_aem_A6oVDWvLPWiyKQ1-8ftkHA

Monthly Meeting Agenda
Tuesday 27 August 2024 – 7:00PM
This meeting will be held by Zoom, at the link below.

Join Zoom Meeting (Editor’s note: Zoom link has been redacted. If you wish to attend, please request from ohnarva@gmail.com)

Welcome:
Community Updates:
1. Lt. Bill Brereton, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4th Precinct
2. Officer Cain Green, Police Liaison, VCU (greenc4@vcu.edu)
3. Ms. Verenda Cobbs, VCU
4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilperson
5. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Candidates:
Harrison Roday; Stephanie Rizzi
Announcements:
1. Fall Festival Block Party

Updates and Continued Business
1. The Friends of Oregon Hill Parks
b. Pleasants Park cleanup: weeding, mulching, cleaning sidewalks: Sat Sept 21

2. New Business
1. Discussion: Form an Ad Hoc Committee to review bylaws?
2. Discussion: Should we ask for a speed camera on Belvidere at Holly (within 1,000’ of Open High, where there was a pedestrian fatality in 2021) under new definition of “high-risk intersection segment”? Va Code § 46.2-882.1: “Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty.
A. For the purposes of this section: “High-risk intersection segment” means any highway or portion thereof located not more than 1,000 feet from the limits of the property of a school that is part of or adjacent to an intersection containing a marked crosswalk that is identified in the manner provided in this section as one in which a traffic fatality has occurred since January 1, 2014.”

Valerie L’Herrou, President
Bryan Clark Green, Co-Vice President
Harrison Moenich, Co-Vice-President
Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President
Mike Matthews, Secretary
John Bolecek, Treasurer