Ask the Mayor: Fulton Gas Works?

Funny thing. I LIKE those buildings the way they are.

I remember seeing a mockup by some land developers at a Fulton Hill Civic Association meeting where the Fulton Gas works metal structure was actually incorporated into the designs. It was cool but I still like a blighted building here and there…..that’s just me :)

If you look at a map, the 31st street section they are referring to is where the $4 million retaining wall was just built to repair the corner of 31st and E. Grace after the large sinkhole from storm Gaston. Are they planning to knock down what they just built???

I don’t understand the mayor’s comments about 31st Street either. We live close to Sugar Bottom near the foot of the hill and 31st Street.

Since Gaston, when Route 5 was closed, we’ve seen traffic increase sharply on 31st and E Franklin, as commuters cut through our neighborhood on their way to work. There have been 3 DUI’s in the past few years, totally 2 cars and taking out a utility pole as people speed down the steep hill on E. Franklin.

My point is — 31st is a residential street. I don’t understand how it could “serve as a route to Rocketts Landing.” Nor should it.

I also agree with Kimmy & Celeste. The old Fulton Gas Works is quite evocative and beautiful the way it is.

Bridgette and Kimmy, don’t get me wrong, I’m not against progress nor would I oppose putting the Fulton Gas Works to use as something. I have to wonder how much it’s going to cost to clean it up to begin with, plus RRHA doesn’t move very fast – witness how long it’s taken them to build in Fulton Bottom. So I wonder if anything will happen in my lifetime!

J.C. – the house not visible in the photo is, I think, called the Woodward House. John and Mary Ellen Bushey restored it some time ago, lived there quite a while, then I believe they sold it. As I recall, they got it on the National Register, I don’t remember if it’s on the city list, too, but I’m pretty sure they even put some sort of historic easement on the property that surrounds it that they also owned. All of which goes towards my wondering just how the city intends to reconfigure 31st St.

Bridgette, I was wondering when someone who lives there would comment on the traffic situation. I know others in your area, up on 29th Street, who say it’s a real concern – speeding cars flying through, particularly during morning rush hour. Add the DUI stuff and you’ve got a real problem there. I think you are right, it should not serve as a route to Rocketts, in fact, it’s an area which needs traffic calming and some cops to enforce the speed limit – same as around the corner on Main Street, where cars come flying in from the east end going easily 50 mph. Good luck getting anything done about it!

For too long many who favor the old have watched this city, led my different, uncreative people tear down rather than call in those who appreciate what’s there. That building has potential. The Mayor should get together with a group of those who have helped save Church Hill, North and South and then make his decisions.

Right now we’ve a city in shambles, yet we are told it’s comin’ along.Frankly I miss MIller& Rhodes plus Thalhimers.

Why don’t we build instead of tear down???

Lu Motley

“Eliminating blighted buildings is a major component of my plan to clean up our community and fight crime.”

Instead of eliminating buildings, Wilder should be confiscating the blighted buildings that are long over due on taxes and have multiple unabated violations and resell them to the public for a dollar with the condition that the buyer guarantees renovation of the building within the existing zoning laws and within a reasonable timetable. This has worked well in other cities.

As for this type of policy violating personal property rights, an owner relinquishes his/her rights when they let their properties go unabated and tax delinquent for years on end.

I realize this doesn’t apply to the Fulton Gas Works (I too, do not want to see that building raised), but I do think is relevant to the conversation.

I did not realize that the proposal is to tear down the building! Is there anything we can do to stop this?

Thats whats wrong with Richmond,Va to many people hold on to/live in the past. As a new resident, thats what I find most troublesome about this town. Places/people have to evolve with the times. I have family that has lived in Richmond for a long time and honestly the city looks the exact same (if not worse) than it did when I was a kid.

I’m not advocating tearing down the building, I personally like new construction built within old structures, but if the existing structure cant accomodate new building plans, then its time to move on.

I’d much rather see some type of stores, condos, or whatever, then drive by a building thats looks abandoned. what good does that do for the community?

The City should pay fair market price for the house and sell it for a dollar?

Can I get in on that deal?

Thanks Celeste. At this point in time a good environmental clean-up should be a priority. Without that, any development is at best suspect.

The environmental clean up is the reason that property has sat, unused, for so long. No one would purchase it because the soil abatement is going to to be so costly.

I am suprised that the city is finally chipping in to help….

I would also hazard a quess that the abatement program will require alot of those buildings to come down….

I agree with Tiny. Wilder’s statement “eliminating blighted buildings” sounds like he wants to tear down buildings, doesn’t it?

As for the city buying blighted properties and reselling them for a dollar to the public is a policy that many cities have undertaken. The cities are investing for the betterment of the community and stimulates public reinvestment in blighted neighborhoods where there was none. And yes, it is a good deal for people who qualify, usually low-income folks. Not multiple-property owners/investors like you, Bill.

Bill,

If you’re interested in programs like I’ve mentioned and think that they would be a good model for Richmond, then do some research and get something going. That would be a contribution.

I don’t think they’re talking about connecting 31st from Grace where the new wall is to the Sugar Bottom portion south of Franklin and east of Libby Hill Park (which needs a makeover badly). I think it’s more of making another road parallel to Main to reach Rocketts Landing which is not just what’s being built off Route 5 at the moment. That is phase I and it will extend at least to Nicholson St. That whole area is about to rediscovered by many a Richmonder. However, they cannot bulldoze the Woodward (I think) house at 31st and Williamsburg Ave as it is one of the oldest houses in the city. On old maps, there used to be other streets near it. Basically they will be reopening Elm or 32nd St which ran from about that spot to Main St. Anyway, I’d rather see the city reconnect Fulton St with Chimborazo Park again.