Idlewood Avenue History

Neighbor Todd Woodson continues to help with the Idlewood traffic project.

He recently sent this to the committee members:

While we are awaiting design updates from our friends at Kimley – Horn, I thought i’d share some of the background of the area we are working to improve. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, i’ll simply start with a grid map from the 1924 Sanborn map (thanks, C Pool!). As you can see, the downtown expressway destroyed the northern portion of grid seen here. Harrison and Idlewood (also known as Beverly street) remain as they were laid out. The pink highlighter is a rough approximation of the exit ramp and Grayland redux surrounded by Harrison and Idlewood as they exist today. The second shot is a 1976 photograph of the downtown expressway right before it opened (looking east from where the toll booths would be today). This amenity truly fractured the Randolph and Oregon Hill neighborhoods and splintered our communities. We lost a total of 700 residences and experienced 150 business relocations from the expressway…

(RRHA owns the pie shaped parcel bordered by Harrison, Idlewood and Grayland.)

map of roundabout area
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Byrd House Market Today

Recently Updated
It’s 3rd Tuesday
So think in 3s! The combinations are endless and the preparation quick!
Peppers, Potatoes & Onions sauteed or roasted
Potato and Leek soup with Goat cheese garnish
Mushrooms and Sausage served over Egg Noodles or Greens
Bake Chicken with Apples and Garlic
Scrambled Eggs and Salad Greens with Croissant
English Muffin toasted with Butter and Honey
Really running?
Pick up a combination dinner from Phal’s Noodles & Spring Rolls
or for simplicity how about a Loaf of good bread, a hunk of cheese and a jug of cider
74 and partly cloudy – come on out!
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Lexicon of Sustainability Sneak Peak
Come see the preview showing of The Lexicon of Sustainability – an exhibit of images and words about Food in our communities.
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What is SNAP?
In 2012, 49.0 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.1 million adults and 15.9 million children.
Remember “Food Stamps? This critical safety net federal program is now called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Intended as a support to household food budgets, most people rely on it entirely as incomes have not kept pace with costs of living. Students, families, our elders and working adults use use SNAP. Did you know you can use SNAP to buy fresh foods, food plants and seeds? Byrd House Market has offered access to SNAP users since 2011. Know someone who might need help paying for food? Look for the “Ask Me About SNAP” sign next to the BHM Info Tent.
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National Food Day at the Market is Oct. 22. Join us with partners in the VCU Wellness Resource Center and the Healthy Community Action Team for great nutritional information for Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle. $10 Student Boxes (with Student ID), Raffles, Music and …

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Eat Good, Grow Great!
____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org
/ 804.643.2717 ext.306

Idlewood Roundabout Project Receives Funding From VCU

This ordinance was passed by City Council last night:

Ord. No. 2013-209 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $250,000 from Virginia Commonwealth University and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Traffic Calming/Idlewood Roundabout project in the Transportation category by $250,000 for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Idlewood Avenue, Grayland Avenue and an off ramp from the Downtown Expressway.

More on this here and here.

Idlewood Roundabout Plan Becomes Funded and Closer To Reality

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock announced good news in regard to the Idlewood Roundabout proposal by making public an email from Councilperson Parker Agelasto:

Our roundabout is finally going to become a reality thanks to Parker.

Thanks
Jennifer
OHNA

From: Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member
Subject: Idlewood Roundabout

Hello everyone,

I wanted to provide an update regarding the Idlewood Roundabout. Each and everyone one of you contributed to a campaign to make this a priority. My fellow Councilmembers and the Administration heard you clearly. The project that has been discussed for nearly 15 years is finally going to be a reality.

Thanks to Brian Ohlinger for working with us to secure the $250,000 funding support from VCU for this initiative. This provided the necessary leverage for the project to get the attention of those at City Hall. Likewise the commitment from the St. Andrews Association to permit easements for the project made it very doable. The City has set aside $200,000 in the FY2014 capital improvement budget. This will leverage another $200,000 through VDOT’s revenue sharing program. The project thus has $650,000 and should begin over the next 12 months.

CAO Byron Marshall has been very helpful throughout the process. If you happen to see him, please thank him for his support of the Idlewood Roundabout. In the meantime, I will try to organize a public presentation on the project once the Department of Public Works has more specific information to share.

Sincerely,
Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District

Editor’s Note: This corresponds to number 5 of my own top ten issues for the neighborhood. With issues 4,5,6,7 all getting somewhat addressed (and a sincere hearty thanks to those who helped make that happen), it may be time to repopulate the list with some new issues.

Final Renegade Market Today!

From email announcement:

Todays hours: 3pm to 6pm
This will be your last chance to feel the Renegade Market spirit – winter market vendors vending at will on our lovely village-like grounds. You should bow down before the grace of Byrd Farm, Faith Farm and Dogtown Lounge for bearing all kinds of winter weather to bring you the good meats, cheeses, noodles, honey, jams, and doggie/kittie treats EVERY Tuesday from last November through today. You should wring your hands with joy that they were joined by Deer Run and Epic Gardens, by Agriberry and Old Church Creamery, by a masseuse!!! (Robin Raver) and last week, a coffee maker (Alchemy). Woof! we’ve got good people.

Next Week: Byrd House Market Opening Day!!
A roster of new and returning vendors coupled with a beautiful, long awaited spring will make for a great market season. SNAP EBT welcome again! Beautiful improvements to the grounds by scads of volunteers and our farmlet manager. Come on out and welcome back the crowd, be one of multitudes to enjoy the launch of a great new season of fresh, locally grown and produced foods. Special guests and new volunteers and great deals will be announced. College students prepare for the return of the $10 Student Box! Details can be found at byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com. (also, please see the note about parking changes below)

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