Category Archives: 2nd Street Connector Proposal

Canal Drawings

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The first graphic is a drawing that Venture Richmond sent today of the proposed damage to the Kanawha Canal for the proposed amphitheater. They propose slicing the south bank of the historic canal and infilling the canal to make a smooth slope. The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) passed a resolution against damaging the canal.

The second map uses a 1877 Beers Atlas to identify the location of the proposed damage to the canal.

Click here and here for more on the controversies regarding the proposed development for this area.

Dr. Trout’s Letter Concerning The Kanawha Canal

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Dr. Trout, former president of the American Canal Society and Va. Canals and Navigation Society, sent Mr. Berry of Venture Richmond the following letter concerning the Kanawha Canal:

Dear Mr. Berry,

Could you please encourage those planning the new amphitheater at Ethyl, near the Lee Bridge, to think creatively to avoid destroying part of the Kanawha Canal?

The canal, on the National Register of Historic Places, has been there for over two centuries. The course of the canal there is still intact and clear. Instead of damaging it, please make every effort to keep it intact as one of America’s most important historic sites, a monument to George Washington and the industry of early Virginians. It’s not worth destroying part of it just to build a larger amphitheater. It would be like slicing into a Civil War fort to build a bigger visitor parking lot.

Would it be possible to forward to me a copy of the present plans?

Many thanks,

William E. Trout, III, Ph.D.
Past president, American Canal Society and the Virginia Canals & Navigations Society

Some more background on this can be found by clicking here and here.

OHNA Meeting Summary

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I was unable to attend Tuesday’s Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, but thankfully 5th District City Council candidate Parker C. Agelasto supplied this meeting summary on his Facebook profile page:

Last night the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association met with nearly 30 people attending. There were two main topics of discussion: 1) VCU’s response to off campus misconduct by students and 2) Venture Richmond’s plan for an amphitheater between Tredegar and 2nd Street.

Lt. Donald Davenport was introduced as the new head of Sector 413 in the 4th Precint of the Richmond Police Department. His email is Donald.Davenport at RichmondGov.com. Officer Greg Fulton from VCU Police also attended. His email is gfelton atvcu.edu.

Officer Felton reported that VCU has contracted increased patrol of its MCV and Monroe Park campuses after recent incidents. He also explained a zero tolerance policy that VCU has implemented for student misconduct off campus. Residents are encouraged to call the university to report any illegal activities that involve students. All emergencies should still be reported to 911.

VCU’s emergency number is 804-828-1234 and non-emergency number is 804-828-1196. Officer Felton can be reached at 804-828-1209 or his mobile 804-301-5704.

Part of VCU’s zero tolerance policy for off campus misconduct is to address the issue directly with students through disciplinary action and to also instigate a complaint process with the property owner of apartments and houses. A similar initiative was started with the May/June move out period and holding property owners responsible for the debris left on streets and alleys.

Jack Berry of Venture Richmond presented their plans for a 3 acre lot west of the American Civil War Center and the new 2nd Street Connector, south of 2nd Street, east of the City property below the Lee Bridge and north of the CSX railroad tracks. It is a proposed gift by NewMarket Corporation with an estimated value of $3 Million. The transfer of property will include an easement requiring the property to be used and maintained for the public. Venture Richmond expects the property to serve as an amphitheater for concerts for the Folk Festival and Riverrock.

The plan does not call for any permanent structures and the proposed improvements include lighting fixtures and electrical boxes and landscaping. In preparing the site, NewMarket Corporation and Venture Richmond have proposed grading the property for better sight lines to the stage. This includes partial removal of the embankments as well as fill in the basin of the historic James River and Kanawha Canal.

Members of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association voiced concerns about the permitting process and wetland remediation. They also adopted a resolution opposing any permanent alterations to the James River and Kanawha Canal that was survey by George Washington and opened in 1785.

Lastly, an announcement was made that the ordinance for a Special Use Permit pertaining to the Victory Rug building has been drafted. It authorizes 18 units with only 8 off-street parking spaces. OHNA continues to have concerns about this high density and more importantly the lack of available parking for this many new residents.

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Letter of Resignation To Venture Richmond

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Jamie, Stephen,

After giving the situation some thought, I am resigning from my lead volunteer position of the Richmond Folk Festival‘s Green Team in protest of Venture Richmond’s role in pushing the 2nd Street Connector proposal, which evidently comes before City Council on Monday night.

My neighborhood association as well as the local Sierra Club have serious concerns about the 2nd Street Connector proposal, and to my knowledge, those concerns have not been addressed in a proper public manner. I am disappointed by how the 2nd Street Connector proposal is being pushed through the public process, while the rest of the Richmond Riverfront Plan has been delayed.

https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/07/13/city-council-and-2nd-street-connector/

https://www.oregonhill.net/2012/02/04/sierra-club-speaks-against-proposed-2nd-street-connector/

https://www.oregonhill.net/2011/10/08/ohna-sends-letter-in-support-of-city-to-protect-canal/

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/commentary/2012/apr/29/tdcomm03-save-richmonds-canals-again-ar-1875078/

Although I do not want you to take this resignation and protest lightly, I also want you to know that I do plan to continue to support and volunteer with the Richmond Folk Festival without holding the Green Team leadership position. I repeat, I plan to volunteer for Green Team shifts even though I am resigning my leadership position.

As someone who has always supported the Folk Festival (including when it was previously the National Folk Festival), and having won the 2010 Folk Festival Volunteer of the Year award, I believe the Folk Festival has become a vital and important part of Richmond’s cultural landscape. I also want the Richmond Folk Festival to become more ‘green’ and become an environmental role model for other festivals in the area.

I just wish Venture Richmond would take a step back and recognize it’s duty and responsibility as a neighbor and part of the community and how the 2nd Street Connector and amphitheater proposals impact those roles.

Sincerely,
Scott Burger

On May 14, 2012, at 6:05 PM, J Thomas wrote:

The Volunteer page for the Richmond Folk Festival goes live tomorrow!
In order to make sure that the links are all working, please take a moment to click on http://richmondfolkfestival.org/docs/volunteer.html

City Council and 2nd Street Connector

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Despite letters of concern from citizens, neighborhood association, and the local Sierra Club, an ordinance was introduced for the 2nd Street Connector this past Monday. C. Wayne Taylor’s questions have not been answered and there is no word on alternatives.

Ord. No. 2012-152 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the acquisition of the property identified as the “Project Area” in a certain Gift and Dedication of Real Property and Development Agreement between Gamble’s Hill, LLC, Venture Richmond, Inc., the City of Richmond, Virginia, and Dominion Resources Services, Inc., currently owned by Gamble’s Hill, LLC and to be conveyed to Venture Richmond pursuant to such Agreement, for a purchase price not to exceed $916,640.00, for public right-of-way purposes. (Planning Commission, Monday, July 16, 2012, 1:30 p.m.; COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 3:00 p.m.)

Latest Draft of Richmond Riverfront Plan

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Yesterday, the City’s Planning and Development Review announced and released “the Final Draft of the Richmond Riverfront Plan” (click here for large PDF).

Pages 26 to 29, the part of the Plan that deals with “Tredegar Green”, seem most applicable to Oregon Hill. I did not see anything about moving the Confederate White House.

The proposed 2nd Street Connector road is still in the plan, although many questions have still not been answered. More on this soon.

Previous Canal Bridge Gone/2015 UCI Road World Cycling Race Looms

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The previous canal bridge made from utility poles is now gone.

It is great to see people using the new canal bridge. (Though some jerk did dump a bucket of silver paint on it that had to be pressure washed off it). The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association may eventually throw a party to celebrate the new bridge. After all, its important to remember that it was that organization that secured the funding for it.

At the same time, one wonders how this plays into other riverfront planning. Evidently there are some high level meetings happening regarding Richmond 2015, the organizing committee charged with putting on the UCI Road World Championships.

Richmond 2015 has already come up with a course but will not disclose what it is for now. Officials say they want to work out contingencies before approaching affected communities.

The races will be disruptive to some residents because of road closings and the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on the city.

But honestly, what is happening with the proposed ‘2nd Street Connector’? According to sources, C. Wayne Taylor’s questions are STILL waiting on answers from the City’s Economic Development Department.

“Save Richmond’s canals, again”

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A Times Dispatch guest editorial by Jack Pearsall makes a strong case for making Richmond’s historic canals a priority. There have been previous posts here on the proposed 2nd St. Connector, but Pearsall is more knowledgeable of the planning history that should negate it.

Here’s the beginning of his piece, but I urge readers to click here to see the rest of it.

Our historic canals should be saved so their future development can put Richmond on the map, as in San Antonio and Georgetown. But this opportunity could be mooted by well-intentioned pending schemes, which injure the canals in five places. There need not be this choice between canal and improvements.

In 1988, a canal committee of leading citizens designed a waterway for tour boats from the James River at the Great Shiplock to Maymont. The navigable James River & Kanawha Canal would be spliced with the millrace Haxall Canal. Renowned architect Carlton Abbott prepared plans and cost estimates.

Thanks to smart planning, much of the restoration was accomplished as part of the city’s Combined Sewer Overflow project. The rest remains unfinished, but possible.

‘Watchdog’ C. Wayne Taylor Holds His Bite On 2nd Street Connector

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I have written before about how C. Wayne Taylor has taken on City Hall on the 2nd Street Connector and Special Use Permit Issues. Here’s the latest:

April 12, 2012

The Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Members of Council,

On March 15th 2012 I requested certain information from Councilor Tyler regarding the proposed 2nd Street connector. He said he would give me a response by the end of the week. On April 2nd I send an email to Councilor Tyler advising him that I had not received anything. As of this evening, I still have not received any of the information I requested.

The citizens of Richmond are being denied a meaningful voice in the political process if you do not give them the relevant information. Will you please take the appropriate action to obtain and make public the information I requested.

Sincerely yours,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Attachments: Copies of the emails are included below.

Links: http://cityhallreview.com/tag/2nd-street-connector/

Copy: Liaisons, Planning Commission via Secretary, Press, Interested Citizens

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: C WAYNE TAYLOR
To: Bruce Tyler
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 4:41 AM
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Mr. Tyler,

I have not received the information.

C. Wayne Taylor

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: “Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member”
To: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 1:26 PM
Subject: RE: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

Mr. Taylor:

I will give you a response this week.

Bruce W. Tyler

1st District Councilman
City of Richmond

City Council
900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

cell: 804.357.6007
fax: 804.343.0909

From: C WAYNE TAYLOR [mailto:cwaynetaylor@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thu 3/15/2012 4:16 PM
To: Tyler, Bruce W. – Council Member
Cc: C WAYNE TAYLOR
Subject: Tyler – 2nd Street Connector Information

March 15, 2012

VIA EMAIL TO: Bruce.Tyler@Richmondgov.com
The Honorable Bruce Tyler
City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: 2nd Street Connector Information

Dear Honorable Council Member,

The proposed 2nd Street connector would cause a major change in the character of the area. I think it is very important to fully understand the proposal and the various factors involved.

As you know, the administration has not been transparent in this matter. Economic Development even tried to charge me for copies of the documents discuss with city council.

Therefore, I request that you help insure that citizens have all the facts. Will you please provide or obtain answers to the following for the public and me:

1. Has an elevation rendering of the proposed crossing of the historic canal been presented to council?

2. Has a perspective rendering of the proposed connector been presented to council?

3. What is the acreage of the land that is proposed to be conveyed to the city west of the connector?

4. Why does the Planning Commission letter state that the area on both sides of the connector will be privately owned?

5. Why is there a proposed parcel boundary down the middle of the historic canal?

6. What is the acreage of the land that the city is providing for stormwater detention.

7. Does the stormwater detention facility essentially block access of city land to Tredegar Street?

8. Does the parking area connect to Tredegar Street or the connector?

9. How many parking spaces are gained or lost?

10. Does the city have the right to require that the connector be put on the Tredegar Ironworks parcel under alternative B-3 of the 1995 agreement?

11. Does alternative B-3 provide better topography to cross the historic canal and provide more clearance for boats.

12. Why was the connector project assigned to Development rather than Planning?

13. Has Planning been prohibited from commenting to citizens about the connector?

14. Has the planning director issued an analysis of the pros and cons of a connector?

15. Has the city traffic engineer issued a report on the connector?

16. Who prepared the traffic analysis report?

17. Has part of the traffic analysis report been redacted?

18. Is it correct that the connector is not shown on the Downtown Master Plan?

19. What elements of the connector are not consistent with the Downtown Plan and UDC Guidelines.

20. Why were the trees cut down after the Planning Commission reviewed the connector concept plan?

21. What happens if the city requires clearance over the historic canal and refuses to pay the cost?

I believe the following is correct:

22. Road construction grading will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

23. The stormwater detention facility will cut into the profile of the historic canal.

24. Water flowed in the historic canal until about 1970.

25. Slave labor was used to construct the historic canal.

26. An 1880 bridge was built over the unused canal in a traditional arched style.

27. The historic canal is on the National Register of Historic Places.

28. The top executive at Dominion Resources received total compensation of $16.9 million in 2010.

I have attached copies of the documents that the Jones Administration attempted to charge me to have.

Thank you for your attention,

C. Wayne Taylor
www.CityHallReview.com

Copy: Council, Liaisons, Press

New Pine Street Connector Plans (May Include Street Renaming)

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The good news that emerged this week was that the controversial 2nd Street Connector proposal has been withdrawn due to strong citizen opposition. The bad news was that the alternative Spring Street connector idea has been rejected as well.

What may be seen as even worse news is that Dominion Resources is now proposing that South Pine Street be turned into their connector road. Coming off Idlewood, the street direction would be reversed from it’s current northerly flow and instead would be one-way south towards Dominion’s riverside headquarters. The street would then replace the Overlook and terminate instead with a ramp and bridge going directly to the upper floor of Dominion’s parking deck. Because it’s so very important for Dominion employees to be able to get in and out of work (and the City) quickly, the speed limit would be raised to 45 mph, and a new traffic signal light would be put in place at Holly Street and Pine Street (at Dominion’s expense, of course).

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