“Street Beat” (Traffic Along Cherry and Idlewood)

It would almost be funny if it was not so damn sad.

As VCU has continued to bulldoze and expand into the neighborhood despite protest, Oregon Hill residents warned VCU and City officials that increasing commuter traffic was becoming more and more of a concern on Cherry and Idlewood. And its not just VCU, more riverfront development such as the Dominion trading floor and MeadWestVaco has put a lot of strain on Idlewood, where VCU and young St. Andrew’s students walk.

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association even championed a plan to create a traffic circle on Idlewood near Hollywood Cemetery that would slow down traffic coming of the Expressway and allow it to have a choice between east or west. It would make it safer and easier for Oregon Hill residents (yes, remember us?) and commuters alike. VCU President Trani ‘promised’ to contribute to this plan.

But, nothing has happened with it. And we continue to see stuff like this, in columns like this Sunday’s Times Dispatch’s Street Beat, that only partly answer questions:

Q:I frequently drive through Virginia Commonwealth University by way of Oregon Hill. There is a light at the intersection of Cherry and Main streets — where you can go only left or straight. When school is in session, it is hard to make a left turn because of all the pedestrian traffic. I often have to wait through several light cycles to get through. Please see if they will consider putting a left-turn signal for people turning left to Main from Cherry. — A reader

Answer: Sometimes you can’t catch a break.

Here is what Jemila M. Woodson of the Department of Public Works said about this intersection:

“Pedestrians crossing West Main Street at this intersection are crossing simultaneously with northbound traffic on Cherry Street.” Therefore, an additional traffic phase to accommodate Cherry Street traffic would not improve traffic flow and would increase delays for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, she said.

“To improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, crews will install a ‘Turning Traffic Must Yield To Pedestrians’ sign for northbound traffic turning left on Cherry Street. They will also repaint the faded pedestrian crosswalk. These improvements will be completed within 30 days.”

Patrick Henry Charter School Planning

I wish Richmond Public Schools would hold one of these sessions and let us know when Open High and Fox Elementary will get their elevators and solar panels.

Name: Kelly Bulbulkaya
Email: kelly.bulbulkaya@patrickhenrycharter.org
Phone: 804 233-2848
Comments:
We are trying to get this information to everyone in the city. We hold these informational meetings the first Thursday of every month. It is an open house of sorts to answer questions and share information/updates about Richmond’s first charter school!
Would you please post for your readers?
Many Thanks—

Kelly Bulbulkaya
Director of Curriculum Resources
Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts
PatrickHenryCharter.org
***********************************************************************
Come One and All to the
Patrick Henry Elementary School of Science and Arts
Community Update Meeting
THURSDAY, MARCH 5th 8:00 p.m.
3411 Semmes Ave.
Richmond, VA 23225

When are you opening?
How do I apply?
What is a “progressive quarterly calendar”?
What is an “outdoor classroom”?
A healthy cafeteria?
Why is PHSSA different from other Richmond Public Schools?
Find out the answers to all of your burning questions!

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop

With the troubles our economy is facing, many families are beginning to
search for college affordability options so their children are able to
pursue a post secondary education. High school students & parents,
especially senior students, are invited to attend a FREE workshops:

“What are my options?” Financial Aid Workshop
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Richmond Public Main Library
101 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Representatives from SCHEV and GRASP will be on hand to discuss:
* Preparing for college
* College access
* Scholarship resources
* Applying for financial aid
* When and how to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)

Free pizza & drinks! Door prizes, too!

For more information call the GRASP hotline at (804) 323-6996

Sponsored by the Richmond Public Library www.richmondpubliclibrary.org
and GRASP (The Greater Richmond Area Scholarship Program)
www.grasp4virginia.com.

Charlie Schmidt
Development Director
Richmond Public Library
101 E. Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804.646.5511
Charles.Schmidt@RichmondGov.com
www.RichmondPublicLibrary.org
Our Mission: Inform, Enrich, Empower

VCU’s Projected Budget Shortfalls and Rec Center ‘Fly-Throughs’

Here is a chance to see the inside of the controversial new VCU Recreational
center
under construction at Cary and Cherry. As noted previously, Oregon Hill residents never questioned the students’ need for a recreational center, but always questioned the size and need to encroach into the neighborhood. That said, Oregon Hill residents were
given a promise of reduced rate access by VCU. So see you in the SAUNA!

Some load time required.

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watch?v=j0amHQO-GZM&feature=related

Of course, we will see how this turns out given VCU’s new budget shortfalls. Students are already paying extra fees.

VCU Students Organize Cleanup

I was glad to see this, because I don’t want to live in a trashy neighborhood :

Let’s paint the town GREEN!

Join the VCU SGA’s trash clean-up initiative!!!

When: January 31, 1:00-3:00
Where: Oregon Hill Neighborhood in Richmond
*Meet at SGA office between 12:30-1:00
Why: Because really, who likes living in a trashy neighborhood??

~ This is a great opportunity to give back to our surrounding communities and to show our support for the cleanliness of our city.
To ge invoved, e-mail Leah Fremouw: fremouwla@vcu.edu with contact info.

VCU Takes Away Parking

VCU has closed ALL parking on the 00 block of S Pine (Just South of Main). This is a hardship to businesses on the Cary business corridor. It has been like this for too long. I don’t understand how the City allows indefinite closures like this at the expense of taxpaying citizens. They could easily move the construction fence over. Makes you wonder.

Wouldnt it be great if VCU and City worked together to help each other instead of them continually knifing us in the back?

Concern Expressed About Student Disconnect

Published with permission from OH email discussion, another take on the changing relationship between VCU students and the neighborhood:

My observation is that there is an increasing trend for students living in our neighborhood and others surrounding VCU to be ever more and more oblivious to certain aspects of urban living and coexistence, including having loud disturbing parties, putting trash on the sidewalk and even not getting towed during street cleanings. Where is the disconnect here? Are families not preparing their kids for independent college life?

Read the entire email for more…

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