calwinston
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Posts posted by calwinston
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This is a great article about Richmond written by Stephen Koff from Cleveland.com (Cleveland Plain Dealer). Stephen Koff talks about the many other things to do in Richmond except visiting Civil War sites.
Impression One: We were coming out of Sticky Rice, an Asian-eclectic restaurant (sushi and tater tots) on Main Street in Richmond's Uptown district, when we spotted small groups of 20-somethings walking, driving and biking by. They wore angular hair-dos, tattoos, piercings, skinny jeans, plaid shirts or T-shirts, nerd-cool hipster eyeglasses. This is not what a Yankee expects to find in the capital of the Confederacy.
Impression Two: We were seated in the Camel, a bar on Broad Street, when the crowd stood in anticipation of an infectious groove that hadn't even started. Gathering up front were a crazy-good drummer, tuba player, strutting trombone and trumpet players, all about to move, groove, call and respond as if a high-octane, multiracial New Orleans brass band was breeding with the scions of hip-hop and rock. This was No B.S. Brass, bringing its self-described stew of funk, break-beat and soul to the Camel's stage.
Maybe you've only thought of Richmond, some 100 miles south of Washington, D.C., as a place to visit Civil War sites (if you have thought about visiting the Southern city at all)..............
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Columnist Michael Paul Williams discusses high speed rail in his story and video from today's RTD:
http://www2.timesdis...ike20-ar-53242/
As he points out, you can't get from Washington to anyplace in Carolina via rail without passing through Virginia. While North Carolina received more than $500 million for shovel-ready rail improvements from Federal funds, Virginia's share was about $75 million.
The only thing about Virginia now is their are still no shovel ready projects! Do Virginia officials expect to get money from the federal government and they have us sit on it for the next 5 years. More than likely if we do not use that money it will funneled to another high speed rail project in another state. Is their anyway to fast track these projects to shovel ready?
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'Pressure to develop mounting in Goochland'
Goochland County leaders are attempting to lay out a new vision for the county with a fresh focus on economic development, but to succeed, they'll need the cooperation of influential landowners.
This month, county leaders set about establishing strategic priorities for the cash-strapped bedroom community still haunted by past mismanagement issues that have led to an overhaul of county government.
While the preliminary conversation offered few specific answers, one area of consensus was that the key to the future prosperity lies to the east -- in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District.
The 7,800-acre water and sewer district was funded with $63 million borrowed eight years ago from the Virginia Resources Authority to be repaid by commercial growth.
But things haven't gone as planned. Few users have connected to the utility district since it was completed in 2004. That has left the county struggling even to pay the cost of operations, much less the debt, which has ballooned to nearly $74 million with interest.
In conjunction with and encompassing the 3,226-acre West Creek Business Park, the district was supposed be a financial boon for the county and bring big business to one of its corners while allowing the rest to remain rural and undisturbed.......
Eads was unsympathetic about the rate rising. He pointed out that "consenting adults made the deal" and even the combined rate -- including the ad valorem tax and the county's regular real estate tax of 53 cents -- is lower than in many surrounding localities.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/jul/19/gooc19-ar-318207/
You get what you paid for!
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Chesterfield and Hanover County have won the highest national award among counties in the digital-government arena by capturing the Digital Counties Survey 2010. Chestefield won in the 250,000-499,999 residents category and Hanover won in the 150,000-249,999 resident category!
Chesterfield County was among other top contenders categorized by population, including nearby Hanover County, and Maryland's Charles and Montgomery counties. Chesterfield County captured the top spot among competing counties with populations between 250,000 and 499,999. Northern Virginia's Loudon County was runner-up. The category's additional top 10 finishers included counties in California, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada and North Carolina.
http://progress-index.com/news/chesterfield-county-wins-digital-counties-survey-1.892756
http://www.govtech.com/dc/surveys/counties/90/
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This is what kids did in middle school. Looks like Justin French is throwing a tantrum and needs a pacifier.
He's never going to get Markel to come to the table to talk with him acting like a spoiled brat. -
A serious fire, still smoldering at this moment, has heavily damaged the Brown & Williamson factory at Wythe and Perry Streets in downtown Petersburg. The building has been undergoing conversion to residential uses.
From today's RTD:
http://www2.timesdis...-pet-ar-317422/
This is horrible news. Hopefully they can restart construction soon. Looks like they have to replace a whole wall that caved in one side.
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These two Wall St Journal postings show just how Richmond has homes in every aspect of architecture and settings that appease anyone.
Richmond Historic-Monument Ave (The Fan)
http://online.wsj.co...YWORDS=richmond
Richmond Modern-Riverside Dr-Southside (Stratford Hills)
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Thanks Blake for posting this!
I was dreading seeing the rendering but I like it. -
"VDOT to rebuild 11 bridges on I-95 In Richmond"
Rebuilding 11 bridges on Interstate 95 in Richmond and Henrico County will cost taxpayers about $15 million less than the Virginia Department of Transportation expected.The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $68 million contract yesterday to Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta to rebuild the aging spans.
The bridges should be in full operation before morning rush hour, and daytime travelers on I-95 should have all lanes of travel available.Up to 160,000 vehicles a day use this section of I-95, VDOT said, and about 60,000 vehicles travel the stretch during the 8 p.m.-6 a.m. period.
This project will complete the rehabilitation of all the mainline bridges on the old Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike," which opened more than 50 years ago, Hawthorne said. "We should get another 50 to 70 years out of these bridges with this work."
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/news/2010/jul/15/vdot15-ar-296475/
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Virginia has third highest job net growth in nation!
Virginia has added a net of 71,500 jobs since February, the third-highest number in the nation, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today.About 31 percent of the new jobs were in Northern Virginia and the remainder fairly evenly distributed among the rest of the state, he said.He also said that 110 economic development projects have been announced since he took office. They will create 7,154 jobs and represent $1 billion in capital development, he said.Virginia is fairing way better than most states. The unemployment rate in Virginia has been consistently in the top 3-7 lowest in the nation every month during the recession.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2010/jul/15/6/jobsgat15-ar-296755/
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Regitex Inc is upgrading an existing warehouse and opening a manufacturing plant in Mecklenberg creating 60 jobs!
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/jul/15/REGIGAT15-ar-296840/
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'State surplus will go to bonus, schools, water, roads'
The state finished the last fiscal year with a $220 million surplus, Gov. Bob McDonnell confirmed today, which means state workers will get a bonus in December.McDonnell told a news conference that the money will go to a $82 million, 3 percent one-time bonus for state employees, to local school divisions, to the Water Quality Improvement Fund and to the transportation trust fund.]
Should it be going back into the retirement fund they stole hundreds of millions out to balance the budget?
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More development news out of the tri-cities! This time its Colonial Heights city council which approved a special use permit for the redevelopment of a apartment complex into mixed use.
http://progress-index.com/news/council-votes-on-new-development-1.889406
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Chesapeake and Suffolk have both been named to Money Magazine's 2010 list of Best Places to Live.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/index.html
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'Virginia ends budget year with $220 million surplus'
Virginia ended the fiscal year in June roughly $220 million in the black, a surplus that Gov. Bob McDonnell today heralded as an early symbol of his successful financial stewardship.
The turnaround stems largely from better than expected collections of certain individual and corporate taxes. Together, they account for more than 75 percent of the surplus.
Historically, both are among the more volatile state revenue sources, prone to fluctuate with the economy.
The surplus announcement isn’t entirely surprising; state officials have been hinting for a few months that a surplus seemed likely.
In a statement last month, McDonnell touted May revenues that outpaced projections even though the total taxes collected represented a slight decline.
Sorry to burst Gov Bob McDonnell and the Republicans hailing this but this was Gov Kaines budget which started last year in June and ended this year! The budget for this fiscal year was passed last year! How does Gov McDonnell have anything to do with it! He wasnt even in office until this year.
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More jobs coming to the Tri-Cities!
Praxair Inc is building a plant in Hopwell to capture and purify carbon dioxide from the new Osage Bio-Energy Plant for freezing food, making carbonation and extracting natural gas from the ground.
http://progress-index.com/news/new-15-million-plant-to-be-built-in-hopewell-1.888391
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"Infill across from Governor’s School"
It looks like some new row houses are going in across from the Maggie Walker Governor’s School on Lombardy Street.Anybody know what development this is?
http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2010/07/13/infill-across-from-governors-school/
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Busch Properties inc is selling Kingsmill Resot and Spa to Denver based Xanterra Park & Resorts Inc.
“Our goal has been to find a buyer that will enhance the long-term value of the resort and maintain the Kingsmill assets as a premier resort property,” Michael Taylor, president of Busch Properties said in a news release. “Xanterra is widely recognized as an industry leader in park and resort hospitality, and we look forward to the company continuing the long-standing commitment to quality, service and stewardship that distinguishes Kingsmill.”http://hamptonroads.com/2010/07/kingsmill-be-sold-resort-operator-out-denver?cid=ltst
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The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond displays its role in the economy as it opens a new exhibit called "The Fed Experience" July 13, 2010.
This will be replacing the Money Museum.
http://www.virginiab...to-life/235518/
Many people forget that money is distributed to Richmond Fed(hence the security and the 5 underground floors that exceed the square footage above ground) then funneled out to the banks! Seems like more money leaves this city than invested in it.
I remember as a kid visiting the money museum running around in awww of the gold bars! When you leave they gave you a shredded miniature bag of money! I was so excited!
As a student at James River High School I entered the chambers of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond again competing in the Fed Challenge. Unfortunately we came in second place behind St. Catherines! At least I was able to to meet the Richmond Fed Chair and chill in his office on the top floor overlooking the James River, Manchester, and all of Downtown Richmond!
http://www.virginiab...to-life/235518/
Oh here's a picture of the a couple of dollar bills. If the symbol on the left hand side of President George Washington has a E in the middle of the Federal Reserve Seal then it was distributed out of the Richmond Federal Reserve!
Fed unveiled interactive exhibit today
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/business/2010/jul/12/FEDDGAT12-ar-289756/
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Bigge Crane & Rigging moving its East Coast headquarters to Richmond, VA on Maury St.
Bigge Crane & Rigging has purchased a 20,00-square-foot industrial building on Maury Street from Speight LLC for $1.7 million. Bigge Crane will use the facility as its new East Coast headquarters. Franklin Bell of Thalhimer, a member of the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, handled the sale negotiations. -
Cal, I like the Master Plan link but I couldn't open your RTD link so I'm posting it again.
http://www2.timesdis...gw09-ar-286359/
Remember, Richmond is a pretty hilly city, so those segways can be a blessing when you're moving from point to point.
There's an interesting comment in the 3rd paragraph from the bottom:
"Construction of a pedestrian bridge to Brown's Island is to begin in the fall."
Isn't there already a bridge at the foot of 7th Street connecting the island and Tredegar Street?
PS: Can anyone identify the downtown street corner from whence the segwayers are launching their tour? I can't.
Hey Burt,
Theirs actually three bridges one at Tredgar Iron Works, one at 7th street, and one at Haxall Point connecting to Riverside on the James. Then 2 others connecting to Riverside on the James! The need to spend money on another one is puzzling me!
I also dont know where they are launching the segways from?
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Compared to the overall cost of this project, these repairs are very minor. Plus they used standard rail crossing designs to initially help keep the cost down, if these improved crossing were done first, the article would of read LRT is wasting money with high cost crossing rather than using standard crossings.
There is a comment in the article that I find alittle funny that is pointing out that this is the newest LR system, so that should automatically mean all the kinks are worked out, but what the commenter doesnt realize is that this is the first LR line in Hampton Roads and like any urban project, the challenges to each site is always unique and new. I am guessing no one realized how soft the land underneath these lines were really gonna be and settling has always been an issue throughout Hampton Roads because of the soft ground it has.
Basically they have installed a huge system and are currently working out the little errors that have come up since construction began that might of been unforeseen.
Hopefully you guys dont have a money pit! I for one want light rail to suceed in Hampton Roads. If this fails then light rail will never be expanded in Hampton Roads for at least another 25 years.
I guess somebody was not doing their job when surveying the soil. If you guys have settling now without the trains rolling over the tracks then you might be in for a rude awakening later down the road!
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'Task force looks to revitalize downtown Richmond'
Haven't we already taken this route with the Downtown Master Plan that was released last year July 9, 2009! Also how many active studies are currently going on? Well we have the Coliseum, Main St Staion(Still), BRT, Jackson Ward, Boulevard Gateway, Downtown plan(again), East End, baseball stadium, the list goes on. Time to get off your butts and implement the plans you already have on the tables before starting from scratch then maybe you will get somewhere! You know what will bring more tourism downtown? A mass transit system to get poeple around! You can think of all the major tourism city destinations in the United States. What do they have a mass transit system to get tourist from one place to another (except Orlando which is currently implementing its light rail system to connect to High Speed Rail). If you are like me I try avoiding to drive at all cost when I travel to another city! Bring back the streetcars! This is a low cost option to get tourist from one destiantion to another and its cheap to implement!
Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www2.timesdis...gw09-ar-286359/
Why were they on Segways? Should we be promoting downtown as a walkable community by not having to use a segway to get around!
Downtown Master Plan Dover, Kohl and Partners
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"AMTRAK VIRGINIA INTRODUCES ADDITIONAL SERVICE
BETWEEN RICHMOND, VA AND WASHINGTON, DC" starting July 20!
This brings the total of trains passing through Richmond's two train stations to 18!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070804538.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/08/AR2010070804538.html
He's never going to get Markel to come to the table to talk with him acting like a spoiled brat.
Richmond's Suburban Developments
in Richmond
Posted · Edited by calwinston
"The YMCA of Greater Richmond wants to set up shop in western Chesterfield County.
A proposal to locate a new branch on 22 vacant acres at the intersection of Hampton Park Drive and Otterdale Road near Hull Street Road will be before the Chesterfield Planning Commission tonight.
The new branch, at the entrance to the 750-home Hampton Park subdivision, would expand the Greater Richmond YMCA's footprint westward into the fastest-growing part of Chesterfield, where thousands of homes are approved but not yet built."
http://www2.timesdis...ca20-ar-319810/
Wow! 25 miles outside the city. Has anyone noticed that the metro population is at 1.25 million! We are gobbling up land at a unsustainable pace. Especially if these homes are built all the way out to the Amelia County line in 5-10 years!