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Family Supermarket continues to deteriorate

15 comments

BeautifyRVA 10/20/2014 at 6:53 AM

Sad…add the vacant lot next door and there is real potential for a great bit of old/new infill.

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Philip 10/20/2014 at 8:13 AM

What about all that construction that took place a few months back? Seemed to always be a few trucks outside (contractors, electricians, etc.)

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Lee 10/20/2014 at 9:20 AM

Such a shame…

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Laura 10/20/2014 at 9:27 AM

I noticed that the apartment above 401 N 27th street was for rent. The first floor door has a condemned sign posted. How is it possible to lease a unit in a condemned building?

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Lee 10/20/2014 at 10:06 AM

@Laura – probably a case of mistaken address or an old posting? (Or someone’s idea of a joke.) But still…all those bay windows – what an awesome place it could have been.

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Lee 10/20/2014 at 10:35 AM

@ Laura. Sorry – just realized you were talking about a different address. Anyway, I think it’s entirely possible for an individual unit or apartment in a building to be condemned, but not the whole building.

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Ben 10/20/2014 at 7:10 PM

This building is awesome…I’d love to buy it. Hopefully it’ll be offered for sale before it turns to dust.

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crd 10/20/2014 at 7:32 PM

@7 I suggest you contact the owner, ASAP, and make an offer. You might get it, who knows, but don’t wait until the city orders it torn down. If you’re serious, move on it immediately. I know someone else who made an offer to the bank that owned a building that was ordered condemned, and ended up restoring it (leaning building on Marshall St., you can figure out the contractor if you know the local contractor who does leaning buildings and makes them straight again).

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Capital Gal 10/20/2014 at 8:29 PM

Ask Judge Barbara Gaden about this building…

She’s related — by marriage to the family trust that owns it. Ok, ok, I know sometimes we get married and don’t know what baggage we’re getting attached to. But geeze–she’s the same judge who’s court in which the property code violations get heard.

Yeah– West End Richmond family with a judge in-law that would have to recuse herself when they go to court over the violations. Crazy.

What’s even crazier is that the extended family could make money on this property if they’d do a sweetheart (cheap) sale to a friend/relative who could renovate for the Fed & State Restoration Tax Credits.

Could be an awesome legit tax shelter–and improve our QOL in Church/Union Hill. Go figure.

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Eric S. Huffstutler 10/20/2014 at 11:30 PM

Laura, I have been working with and about the 401 N 27th Street building (the Wills Grocery Store built in 1815) since 2004. There are many backstories and most convoluted but yes, there is “still” a condemned notice on the building that was posted a couple of years back for lead paint. It was never taken care of but in true fashion of the city, they do not follow through and there are other outstanding violations on the building.

I am also confused as to why a building that does not meet code and is completely gutted to dirt floors and brick walls on the first floor allows an apartment upstairs over it all?

The owner wants a ridiculous unrealistic price for the building so to keep control of it rather than letting someone restore it to its 200 year old glory.

Eric

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Eric S. Huffstutler 10/21/2014 at 2:09 PM

Again… city not following through as I am sure they are required to actually contact Mr. Mann about his property to “stabilize” it before it falls down?

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Dave Seibert 10/22/2014 at 4:42 PM

This could be a great space!

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Don O'Keefe 10/22/2014 at 9:50 PM

I really love this building. I hope it makes it through. I would buy this 100 times over if I had the money.

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Elaine Odell 11/10/2015 at 11:10 AM

There has been a lot of construction activity going on lately at this address. Especially over the weekend (loud generator). Does anyone know what’s up?

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