November 10, 2007
McQuinn’s 7th District meeting at Mt.Sinai
Delores McQuinn hosted a 7th District Town Hall Meeting this morning at the historic Mt.Sinai Baptist Church on 25th Street. The agenda included presentations by M.Khara on the 25th Street Traffic Control Circle, representatives from the Department of Public Utilities on Senior Heating Bills/Payment Plans, a preview on 2008 Assessment Updates, and the petition for traffic-slowing measures on Venable Street.
25th Street Traffic Control Circle
First up was M.Khara of the Department of Public Works, speaking on the ongoing process of getting the 25th street traffic circle (or “roundabout”) actually constructed. Khara says that statistically, traffic circles have less accidents and are more efficient than traditional signalled intersections. The circle should increase pedestrian safety, slow traffic speed, and offer a gateway feature to the neighborhood. Budgeted at $550,000, the project will include installation of the landscaped traffic circle, new sidewalks, divider medians approaching the circle, and new signage and pavement markings. Delayed for some time by budgetting issues, construction is slated to begin in April 2008 and should be completed by August 2008.
In the Q&A session after Khara’s presentation, a wide-ranging discussion erupted on the specific needs of other areas in the neighborhood (missing sidewalks, potholes in the roads), and of the other recent improvements made to 25th Street corridor including the decorative lights and sidewalk improvements.
Senior Heating Bills/Payment Plan
Joyce Brent and Michelle Tarry from the Department of Public Utilities were next up and shared information about Senior Heating Bills/Payment Plans. They made available registration forms for Senior Care and gave out free weatherization kits to folks 65 or older. Senior Care is a program that puts in place protections for senior citizens so that no late fees are added and utilities will not be cut off during the winter months.
2008 Assessment Updates
James Hester, City of Richmond Assessor, gave a presentation on how the annual assessment process works. The assessment is an annual determination of the value of property if it were to be sold on the open market. He pointed out that as they are getting ready to mail out the 2008 reassessments, it is important that the Assessors Office have on file the correct mailing address for the current owner. He noted that the average increase city-wide for the year has been about 4 1/2%. He cited an un-named commercial neighborhood in the west end where value has jumped 78%. To dispute or request a review of an assessment value, follow the directions on the assessment notice that will be mailed to you.
Comunity Concerns
The audience shared with us…
- Lerry Schaftlein shared information about a petition to slow traffic speed on Venable Street, calling for more speed limit signs, and 4-way stops at Venable&21st, Venable&Jasmine, and Venable&Tulip. Copies of the petition are up at Jumpin’J’s and Captian Buzzy’s.
- McQuinn: How can we raise participation in these meetings?
- Why is water so expensive? McQuinn: We are in the process of looking into this as a council.
- Next time: The future of the development at Nine Mile, 25th, and Fairmount.
- Are there incentives to bring businesses into the area? CARE & Enterprise Zones
- The post office is so pitiful…
- $.99 store is in the works for 22nd and Fairmount.
- There is a rumor that VCU want to buy and demolish Mosby Court, that they’ve already bought Fair Hills apartments. (john_m: Fair Hills and Jefferson Townhomes are owned by Genesis Properties)
“There is a rumor that VCU want to buy and demolish Mosby Court . . .”
I wonder what VCU wants to build in that area instead. Anybody care to chance a guess?
student housing?
a new hospital? doctor’s offices?
a bowling alley?
Who cares what they want to build. Anyone would have to admit anything would be better than what was there now.
There is always some rumor about how VCU wants to buy some project or low income apartment complex. I doubt there’s any substance it. Next week, the rumor will have moved from Mosby to Gilpin.
Maybe the rumor will move, but Mosby is just across the bridge from MCV and would be a natural expansion move. I kind of feel like this was planned. Why else would the Leigh St Viaduct have so many lanes?
[...] McQuinn’s meeting last Saturday, City Assessor James Hester made the off-hand comment that every year the edge of where people are [...]
VCU may as well take over the city. Soon VCU will be the capitol of VA.
Is Mosby is the historical district?
Mosby is not in any historic districts, no.
I guess VCU will feel free to paint whatever it builds there any color it wishes!
Mosby isn’t going to get sold that quickly. Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) controls it, and they’d have to approve any move of the tenants as well as sale. I’m not sure if they actually ‘own’ it in the traditional sense, it may belong to some arm or entity of the federal gov’t, but I’m pretty sure they have to approve any sale - and they will have to look out for the people who live there.
So we can discuss rumors all day, but I really think the sale of Mosby won’t happen quickly, if at all. Sure, there’s been some discussion about relocating the folks in the various housing projects in this city, but talk and actual movement sometimes are miles apart. Hope VI in Blackwell (across the river, near 14th and Hull Streets) was talk and only talk for a long time before it actually happened.
The Jefferson Townhomes across the street weren’t projects, they were owned by an individual and accepted Section 8 housing vouchers. Their sale was different because it didn’t involve the layers that are involved with subsidized housing. I understand they’re being spruced up, and I’d guess that’s with an eye towards renting to MCV students.
I recently saw what used to be Blackwell. Basically, it looks like they simply tore down all the buildings. Then, they built more houses.
There really isn’t a Blackwell community at all anymore. I couldn’t even find a neighborhood corner store without getting in my car and driving.
I hope that whatever happens to Mosby, the planners will realize that communities need some infrastructure like shops and restaurants. Otherwise, it is a lot like a lower-income suburb in the middle of the city. Yuck.