The agenda for the March 23 Commission of Architectural Review meeting (PDF) lists 5 projects in the area, including a conceptual review for a multi-family dwelling at 2400 East Franklin: 2215 E BROAD ST Install interpretive plaque; 200 N 22ND ST Replace existing collocated equipment; 317 N 36TH ST Enclose pipe at rear porch with box column and install stairs and railing; 2419 E GRACE ST Construct new rear porch; 2400 E FRANKLIN ST Construct multi-family dwelling.

An unidentified man was found shot in the road at North 27th Street and Nine Mile Road at around 11:30PM last night. The victim was taken to VCU/MCV with life-threatening injuries.

A few doors down from the stylistically-similar “Dr.Young house”.

The 2010 schedule for the Valentine Richmond History Center walking tours kicks off April 1 in Oregon Hill. The first tour of the season in Church Hill is set for April 18 (2-4PM) :

Examine 19th century architecture and modern revitalization efforts in Richmond’s oldest intact neighborhood. Developed by Major William Mayo, Church Hill is home to St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry made his famous speech, and the city’s largest number of antebellum structures. Meet at Patrick Henry Park across from St. John’s Church, E. Broad and 24th streets.

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Virginia Living has a look at the history of the Yarbrough house, one of the homes open for next month’s Historic Garden Week:

The house was built by William Yarbrough, who, with Miles Turpin, owned Turpin and Yarbrough Tobacco Co., housed in the nearby Pohlig building. The partners married sisters and built identical houses next door to one another. “Nobody wanted to have the nicer house or the worse house,” says Waite, the director of the Museum of the Confederacy. Work was completed in the summer of 1861; the war had started in April. By the end of the 19th century, the basement had been converted to a doctor’s office and examination rooms, and the mosaic tile floor in that room today dates to that period. In the 1940s and ’50s, the main house and two-story servants’ quarters held 13 apartments. That was before S. Douglas Fleet bought the property in 1967 and began to restore it.

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Friends of Libby Hill Park and Church Hill Planters invite everyone to help spread mulch on Saturday March 20th from 9AM-1PM. Come for an hour or all morning, then take a break with free coffee, delicious soups, sandwiches, and cookies.

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CHAT’s snow-delayed 2nd Annual Hog On The Hill has been definitively scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 12-4PM at The Lighthouse (601 North 31st Street): “Featuring home cooked pig and all the fixin’s. Suggested donation $10. All proceeds benefit CHAT.”

Lt.Martin Harrison’s Sector 113 February report (PDF) for all points north of Carrington and Nine Mile is now available and chock full of arresting detail:

Robbery- Individual, B2400 Whitcomb- The victim, stated that he was getting on the bus when he was grabbed from behind, spun around and struck in the head by the suspect. The suspect then pointed a silver handgun at the victim and stated, if you don’t have any money I’ll kill you”.

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Four proposed options for a 2010 Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate were introduced today during the scheduled Richmond City Council Formal Meeting. The proposed options include $1.23, $1.22, $1.21 and $1.19. The current Richmond Real Estate Tax rate is $1.20, which would remain the same if no new rate is adopted. The vote on the adoption of a new rate will be Monday April 12, 2010.

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The Church Hill Irish Festival is fast approaching! The Irish Festival takes place Sat/Sun March 20th and 21st:

The festival will begin Saturday at 10:00 a.m with a walking parade to include traditional Irish music and dancing. The celebration will continue with a street festival in front of St. Patrick’s Church on North 25th Street between Broad and Franklin Streets and will run from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday.

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The city recently released the March 30, 2010 Auction list of 31 vacant, tax-delinquent properties (PDF) (including 9 in our area).

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Everyone’s favorite bartender, James of Patrick Henry’s, and his band, Long Arms, will be playing at Poe’s Pub Saturday March 13th with special guest Maki. The show starts at ~10PM ($5 cover).

Ruth Woody, secretary for the Armstrong Kennedy Alumni Association, sends along the following:

I am looking for members of the graduation classes of both schools. This includes members of the Richmond Colored High and Normal Schools. For more information contact me at akpride@richmondhill.org.

The next Showtime at the Robinson is this Friday at the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center (29th and Q Streets). Showcase your talent: sing, dance, instrumental, comedy, story-telling, poetry or mime. Admission is free for participants, $3 for guests. $50 cash prize. Doors open at 7PM. Contact Betsy to sign-up at (804) 562-9133 or bhart@robinsontheater.org.

There will be a rally and special assembly to kickoff the city of Richmond’s 2010 Census campaign on Monday, March 8, from 10:30AM–11:30AM at Franklin Military Academy (701 North 37th Street). In attendance will be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Dennis Hightower, Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City Council President Kathy Graziano, 7th District City Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille, and RPS Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon.

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3rd Annual Free Health Fair; New Vision Civic League; Church Hill Central Community Walk; City Council Formal Meeting; Creighton Tenant Council ; Friends of Chimborazo Park Playground; Mosby Court Tenant Council; Oakwood-Chimborazo Association; Open Mic @ Poe’s; Veggie Bus; Adult Latin Ballroom Class; Beginner’s Yoga; CAPS Meeting; Unity Civic League; Showtime at the Robinson; An Afternoon with Eliza Poe; MORE…

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The 3rd Annual VCU/MCV Campus Community Health Fair will be held on Saturday, March 6th, at Armstrong High School from 10AM to 3PM. Free Screenings will be offered for: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Dental screening, HIV / Syphilis screenings, and H1N1 Shots. Free lunch for the first 400 people. Games and moon bounce for kids.

Lieutenant Laino’s Sector 111 report for February (PDF) is available. Sector 111 encompasses Church Hill, Chimborazo, Church Hill North, Fulton, Oakwood, and Union Hill:

During February, the Sector experienced a 15% decrease in Major Crime; a 44% decrease in violent crime (9 incidents reported in 2009 compared to 5 in 2010) and a 7% decrease in property crime (30 incidents reported in 2009 compared to 28 in 2010). The 5 violent crimes reported included: 2 Aggravated Assaults and 3 robberies. Of the 5 violent incidents reported 3 have been cleared by arrest and the remaining 2 are still being investigated by detectives. The current trend in Property Crime continues to be residential burglary; there were 7 reported during February, 2 of which were domestic related and 2 occurred to the same residence.

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The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods has 3 houses and a vacant lot in the area listed for sale as Optioned Properties.

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The Church Hill Central Civic Association invites residents to turn out for a Community Walk on Sunday, March 7 at 6:30PM. Meet at the Robinson Theater (2903 Q Street) to share your concerns with the police team face-to-face and brainstorm possible solutions with them while on the walk. The walk will start at the Robinson Theater, proceed north on 30th to Nine Mile Road, and return south on 29th.

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