The first batch of townhomes at The Crossings at Mulberry
a 160-home development by StyleCraft Homes off Chamberlayne Avenue
A new townhome development just north of Richmond’s Northside is starting to take shape and is now set to include about two dozen lower-priced homes
StyleCraft Homes has started building an initial batch of what’s planned to total 160 townhomes along Chamberlayne Avenue north of Azalea Avenue
Called The Crossings at Mulberry, the 16-acre development is across Chamberlayne from Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center and beside the post office at Chamberlayne’s intersection with Wilmer Avenue
A northward view of The Crossings at Mulberry site at Chamberlayne and Wilmer avenues
StyleCraft, which is based in nearby Lakeside
held a ribbon-cutting Saturday to kick off sales and open the development’s model home
whose Fairfield District includes the site
which also announced that 25 of the homes will be priced lower through StyleCraft’s participation in Henrico’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Saturday’s ceremony kicked off sales and opened a model unit
Launched last year
the fund provides grant subsidies to developers that set aside a number of homes for first-time homebuyers making 60-120% of the area median income
Other residential developments that have qualified for the fund so far include HHHunt’s Parkside Townes and Mungo Homes’ Discovery Ridge
Price ranges for StyleCraft’s trust fund homes were not specified
The rest of the two-story townhomes at The Crossings at Mulberry will start in the low $300,000s for 1,500-square-foot floorplans with three bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms
The homes also will include an upstairs loft and a single-car garage
Community amenities will include a dog park
Site development got underway last year, following StyleCraft’s $1.6 million purchase of the two parcels that make up the site
StyleCraft purchased the land from the family of the late Julia Robins
who had owned the property since at least the late 1980s
A southward view of the 16-acre site across from Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center
The project adds to StyleCraft’s local workload, which includes about 200 townhomes it’s building at Westchester Commons in Chesterfield County
It also adds to other multifamily residential development taking shape along that stretch of Chamberlayne. Farther north, Crescent Development and Spy Rock Real Estate Group are developing the 186-unit Helios Apartments at the former Days Inn of Richmond site near the Chamberlayne/I-95 interchange
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The Chamberlayne Actors Theatre celebrates 60 years
The Chamberlayne Actors Theatre performs the play “Veronica's Room” in 2008
Many local theater groups have come and gone during the Chamberlayne Actors Theatre’s six decades
The group has endured in large part thanks to hundreds of volunteers
and the welcome it extends to the theater-curious and stage veterans alike
My own roles with CAT amount to brief walk-ons
“The Grocer Errant,” for a script-in-hand staging of “The Knight of the Burning Pestle” in fall 1990
and I played the oily Wade Stoddard in “The Last Leaf” the following spring
I wooed the ingenue Terry Bjorklund (now Gau)
Terry Bjorklund (now Gau) and Harry Kollatz Jr
CAT was created by the North Chamberlayne Civic Association’s entertainment committee
The group’s community center was dedicated in 1963
according to an introduction in the first program
“paved the way for a group of residents interested in Little Theatre to achieve another dream
that of bringing to the community and the city varied entertainment in the theatrical field.”
is credited with organizing the debut of the Chamberlayne Amateur Theatre
The event was announced in the entertainment pages of the Richmond Times-Dispatch on March 23
“New Theater to Present First Play.” Tickets were sold at the Azalea Pharmacy and at the door
“You Touched Me,” a 1945 Tennessee Williams play billed as a romantic comedy
The new group donated $600 of its proceeds to the community center to pay for acoustical tiles
which portrayed cat faces arranged like Greek comedy and tragedy masks
debuted in the first program; the image has lived on in various renderings
Louis,” drew 150 aspirants for its 16 roles: eight adults
That number dwindled when director Wray told the youngsters that being cast meant they had to stay in town for the three-day July run
According to Times-Dispatch writer Margaret Dowd
the musical was the first acting experience for most of the young cast and required “negotiating early 20th-century costumes
lengthening summer-shortened hairstyles” and caring for the injured
Hermitage High School senior Melody Wade sprained an ankle and fellow student Rex Wester Jr
broke an arm and “hoped to get the cast off for opening night,” Dowd noted
She further observed the “excellent use” of the community center
which allowed for three-quarter staging and conversion of the smaller center stage into a semi-balcony
donated a trailer to serve as dressing rooms
A scene from “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” October 1964 (Photo courtesy Jason Lucas)
Stage construction for “See How They Run,” February 1965 (Photo courtesy Jason Lucas)
A scene from “You Touched Me,” May 1964 (Photo courtesy Jason Lucas)
The “amateur” in the name was changed to “actors” in the ’80s
Performers of varying levels of experience came to CAT
CAT veterans and couple Lin Heath and Charlotte Scharff met at a cast party
educator and occasional actor — played a lawyer in the 1986 production of the Ayn Rand play “The Night of January 16th,” beginning a 20-year association
he led the efforts to formalize CAT as a nonprofit and to pay the actors and technicians
the moves separated CAT from the civic association’s entertainment committee
paying rent and holding annual fundraisers
CAT had practically taken over the whole building,” Scharff says
Lin Heath designed the set for a 2001 performance of “The Lion in Winter.” (Photo by Lin Heath)
Ambrose and others sought to develop for CAT a presence in professional theater while remaining grounded in the community
a mission that took on a greater meaning as the audience
patrons and longtime volunteers grew older or left the stage
Atlee High School theater teacher Charles Wax organized play readings and encouraged student participation
The company picked up the Bifocals program for older actors from what was then Theatre IV and partnered with other troupes
The company’s lease arrangements faltered in 2018
and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic depleted audiences and funds
now operated by the North Henrico Civic Association
But after sauntering to other stages without ever fully going away
The company’s new home is Hanover Tavern
where I attended the closing night of “Painting Churches” in October
I had the theater-person sensation of sitting in a venerated space to see a well-done show
I received a copy of “The Last Leaf” program and experienced the time travel vertigo of memory
I visited with people I’d not seen in a while and paged through scrapbooks of programs and photographs that in some cases resemble vintage family images
Mayor Levar Stoney cuts the ribbon on the housing resource center at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave
alongside officials with the city and Salvation Army
Nearly a year after opening a new long-term home for Richmond’s cold-weather shelter in Northside
city leaders returned to 1900 Chamberlayne Ave
to celebrate the opening of a city-run housing resource center there
city administrators and members of Richmond City Council gathered again with officials with Salvation Army to mark the opening of the on-site resource center and the launch of the city’s new Office of Homeless Services
led by homeless services liaison Dianne Wilmore
will oversee the Community Resource and Training Center that is now housed within the building that’s also slated to become Salvation Army’s local headquarters
The building also serves as the city’s inclement weather shelter and remains open year-round as a 150-bed shelter and physical point of entry for the regional Greater Richmond Continuum of Care services network
Stoney lauded the opening along with councilmembers including Stephanie Lynch
who works for the Virginia Department of Social Services and has helped steer the city’s shelter efforts
“Today we are taking another giant step forward to help provide resources to unhoused individuals and to those experiencing housing instability within our city limits,” Stoney said
“There’s no lack of compassion from the City of Richmond
Last week’s ceremony followed the opening of the city’s cold-weather shelter at the building last fall
Added Lynch: “It is the community center that we are building that is going to be that resource that is able to help even more people and meet people where they are
“The underpinning of this building is the radical notion that human services should meet human beings where they are,” Lynch said
Housing advocates have said the resource center is needed to provide a physical point of entry for those seeking services and case management in the Richmond region’s network. That point of entry had been the Commonwealth Catholic Charities building at 511 W. Grace St., which Daily Planet Health Services purchased in 2020
The center is part of a larger plan by Salvation Army to turn the Chamberlayne building into its planned Center of Hope
a renovation of the former Eternity Church building that would provide more program space
access for people with disabilities and capacity to keep families together
Salvation Army’s Central Virginia Area Command headquarters would relocate to the center from its current spot at 2 W
The city is providing $7 million toward the nonprofit’s $15 million rehab, though a grant contract that City Council approved last year
The arrangement added 100 beds to the roughly 50 that the Salvation Army already offered there
The city’s deal with Salvation Army includes an option that
if the nonprofit doesn’t raise its portion of the $15 million Center of Hope project within three years
the city would be able to purchase the Chamberlayne property for $4.5 million at the end of its three-year lease for the housing resource center
The Salvation Army building is on Chamberlayne Avenue near its intersection with School Street
Other speakers at the ribbon-cutting included Lincoln Saunders
who described the arrangement with the Salvation Army as “the right mix of funding
facility and partner to make the center work.”
“Building this resource center – so that we have the opportunity to provide the sort of case management wraparound support for every individual
so that we’re not just providing them a bed for a night but that path to permanent stability – it takes a lot of effort
and it takes a huge team to do it,” Saunders said
“That’s why there’s 27 organizations that are funded through the city’s non-departmental process for a total of $2.95 million that provide the wraparound support that this resource center will tap into
to make sure that individuals that come through our doors get all the help that they need and that they should be entitled to.”
Adding to the city’s shelter capacity is the former HI Richmond Hostel building at 7 N
which was opened last year as a 50-bed year-round family shelter
which operates a 35-bed shelter nearby at 2 E
The Chamberlayne shelter and resource center is beside the Wells Fargo bank branch at the intersection of Chamberlayne and School Street
That intersection is slated for safety improvements and signal upgrades by the city’s public works department
which was scheduled to start the project this month
According to a city alert about the project
improvements will include pedestrian countdown signals and push buttons
high-visibilty retroreflective backplates and crosswalks
Work on the $400,000 project is expected to finish by next spring
Correction: Salvation Army’s local headquarters is at 2 W
The HQ is planned to be moved to 1900 Chamberlayne Ave
following the capital campaign for the Center of Hope project
but he has done some good things doing his time as mayor
Creating another city bureaucracy is just what we needed to solve homeless
Tell me how many individual meetings with clients will she have
Could have put 2 staffers under the current office Community Wealth building for what i am sure the new director is making
While I expect the legions of City-detractors and Stoney-haters who regularly comment here to find reasons to complain
this is clearly a step in the right direction and a success for the City
— A new traffic light was installed at the intersection of Chamberlayne Avenue and Bacon Street as part of a plan to make one of Richmond's busiest roads safer
Dorothy Leftridge has lived off of Chamberlayne Ave
for almost 4 years at senior living apartments
"Something seriously needs to be done about that traffic flow," she said
and having to come out early in the morning
She said speeding has been an issue on this road since she's lived here
"I don’t care what time of day it is but as soon as traffic gets to flowing
Leftridge has spoken up about the need for more safety precautions on the road before
she and other residents expressed their concerns about not being able to cross the busy street after some of them got hurt trying to cross
This moved the city to install a new pedestrian signal at Chamberlayne and School St
she says she’s not sure how much of an impact the new traffic light will have
I don’t know that that's going to help," she said
"It’s not enough and I don’t mean to say that ungrateful
According to Richmond City’s Department of Public Works
the traffic light installation at Chamberlayne Ave
is just one of the things they are doing to slow drivers down and make the road safer for pedestrians
Leftridge said the city needs to do all it can to make it happen as soon as possible
"They don't pay any attention to that speed limit sign
somebody’s going to get hurt seriously because of their impatience."
she encourages drivers to please pay attention and simply slow down
"I don’t know how to say that there needs to be some consideration because it could be your family member
somebody’s family member that’s going to lose their life," she said
said the traffic light will first be set into flash mode
will be up and fully operational by mid-December
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Richmond police have identified the pedestrian who died after getting hit by a vehicle on the sidewalk of Chamberlayne Avenue in the city’s North Side
Tuesday for a report of a collision in the 2300 block of Chamberlayne
officers found that a vehicle heading south had left the road
struck the pedestrian on the sidewalk and then hit a structure
Police on Monday identified the pedestrian as Anthony Green
Police said Green was pronounced dead at the scene
The man driving the vehicle and a female passenger were taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries
which were not considered life-threatening
Police said investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash and that no charges have yet been filed
Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to call RPD Crash Team Detective G
Drago at (804) 646-1369 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000
The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used
All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous
Email notifications are only sent once a day
And sign up for personalized notifications so you don't miss any impor…
police responded to a business in the 3200 block of West Broad Street for a report of a stabbing
The request comes from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association
which represents 10,000 police officers in Virginia
was pronounced dead at the scene on Decatur Street
Driver of striking vehicle issued summons for disregarding a traffic signal
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— One man was killed and at least one business was damaged when a driver drove onto the sidewalk along the 2300 block of Chamberlayne Avenue
The driver and a passenger were taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries
The fatal collision occurred around 11 a.m
According to Richmond Police spokesperson James Mercante
a vehicle traveling southbound left the roadway and struck the pedestrian before colliding with a parked car
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene
"We have the forensics team making all their measurements
and the crash team will be investigating this
looking for causes of the circumstances that made this vehicle leave the roadway and collide into the fatal collision," Mercante said
Watch: Police share details about crash that killed a man walking along Chamberlayne Avenue
The impact damaged the Railroad Employees Club
and the crashed car came to a stop outside the Northside Barbershop
"As you can see by the damage to the building
there was some collision that made the damage to that building
and so detectives will be looking at the speeds of the vehicle," Mercante said
you could see the vehicle and the damage to the striking vehicle
and so detectives and investigators will be looking for cameras up and down Chamberlayne Avenue
buses and things of that nature that sometimes there are some video elements that can aid in this investigation."
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Investigator Drago at 804-646-1369
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI
Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy
The former Brook Hill School at Chamberlayne and Azalea avenues is planned to be razed to make way for a new Planned Parenthood health center
The site of an old school building at Richmond’s northern boundary is planned to become a new clinic for a reproductive healthcare nonprofit
The Virginia League of Planned Parenthood has struck a deal with the city to acquire the former Brook Hill School site at Chamberlayne and Azalea avenues
where the nonprofit is planning its third Richmond health center
The school building would be razed to make way for the new facility
which would add to VLPP’s existing health centers in Richmond’s West End and East End
The nonprofit also has health centers in Hampton and Virginia Beach
The city has declared the 1-acre property at 4929 Chamberlayne Ave
as surplus and plans to sell it to VLPP for $10 through a deal in which VLPP would commit to constructing a $6 million
10,000-square-foot facility that’s projected to accommodate at least 12,000 visits per year and create at least 20 jobs
primary care and gender-affirming care with subsidized fees to make care affordable to city residents who do not have insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover the care they need or have high deductible plans.”
The project stems from a resolution supported by Mayor Levar Stoney and approved by City Council in 2022 expressing the city’s opposition to the U.S
Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v
the 1973 decision that made abortion a protected right under the Constitution
The resolution called for the Virginia General Assembly to protect and expand abortion access in the state
and Stoney and the city’s human services department extended their support to VLPP
which worked with the city to identify the Chamberlayne site as a suitable location for a new clinic
CEO Paulette McElwain said the additional location would help VLPP provide its services to more people in Richmond and from across the country
VLPP provides reproductive healthcare and primary healthcare services to tens of thousands of Virginians annually
age-appropriate sexuality education programming to youth and young adults.”
“In light of the various bans on reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare in nearly all of Virginia’s surrounding states
Mayor Stoney’s administration worked with us to identify property where we could expand access to critical reproductive and primary healthcare,” McElwain said
“We plan to use the property to build a new health center that will allow us to provide comprehensive healthcare to approximately 5,000 Richmond-area residents and folks traveling from across the South to access care,” she said
McElwain said the former school building would need to be replaced to provide the facility
which would be similar to VLPP’s East End Health Center at 1122 N
The facility will be similar to VLPP’s East End Health Center on 25th Street
“To provide the healthcare experience the community needs and deserves
we anticipate it will be more cost effective to build from the ground up rather than renovate the current building,” McElwain said
Once called the REAL School as well as Brook Hill School
6,500-square-foot building was deemed to be in “decent condition” by Richmond Public Schools
which transferred the property to the city in 2022
A 2021 committee report of vacant RPS properties also noted
that any renovation “would likely incur significant costs” including a new roof
removal of old wiring and potentially hazardous material
The building was once used to care and treat children with cerebral palsy and at different times housed a program for pregnant girls and a residential program for “emotionally disturbed” teenagers
which indicates its last use was in the late 1970s
The city has assessed the property’s taxable value at $1.24 million
An ordinance to allow the property transfer from the city to VLPP is on the agenda for the Planning Commission’s next meeting July 16
It’s scheduled to go before City Council on July 22
with a public hearing to be held prior to a vote
McElwain said a project timeline has not been established
She said VLPP has not engaged a general contractor
The health center would add to other developments in the works for the Chamberlayne corridor
In recent years, the area at Chamberlayne and Azalea has lost a Walmart Neighborhood Market and a Walgreens pharmacy that likewise closed
Please explain what “gender-affirming”is
Gender-affirming care is medically necessary
evidence-based care that uses a multidisciplinary approach to help a person transition from their assigned gender – the one the person was designated at birth – to their affirmed gender – the gender by which one wants to be known
Glad to see this corner being redeveloped and put to a good use
I’m glad to have a project close to where I live
Why would you not build an addition on the back right (connect to the old) school
Construction and materials are so expensive
The schools internal walls can come down/open up as needed
Just wonder why spend the money on the demo
Depending on the owner’s program needs and the limitations of the existing structure
demolition and new construction can in some situations
Would be nicer for an apartment or another business
“Family planning” like the kind practiced by the tens of millions from south of the border who have been purposefully lured/enticed/brougt here over the last 4 years by the current regime
Meanwhile menopausal women cannot get needed hormone treatment
Free reassignment surgery for men with mental health issues while legitimate (XX) women cannot get insurance covered breast enhancement surgery as it is considered “cosmetic”
We all thank you for your passionate advocacy on behalf of post-menopausal boob jobs
My point is that women who suffer from distress due to real or perceived defscts or inferiorities of their breasts can never get insurance or medicare to pay for surgery
but some sad and bored 40 year old man can get hormone cocktails and C-cups
Family planning and gender identity are area of high controversy are not areas for which I want my city to use my tax dollars or put their thumb on the scale
We know that Planned Parenthood redlines poorer neighborhoods with their locations
I thought we had come farther than the eugenics programs of the 1920s
— A man is dead and a woman is injured after a shooting in Richmond on Monday evening
The shooting happened at the corner of Azalea Avenue and Chamberlayne Road around 6:30 p.m
Both victims were taken to an area hospital where the man died from his injuries
The woman has non-life-threatening injuries
The man killed has not been identified at this time
who jumped into action to help the victims
"You could see where a male was walking and then collapsed in the parking lot
That's when I went over to try to render aid
on the phone with 911 at the same time," Starlings said
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective P
Mansfield at 804-646-6996 or contact Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or by using the P3 app
— Multiple residents are displaced after a fire at a Richmond apartment building
Monday in the 3600 block of Chamberlayne Avenue
Two people were taken to an area hospital from the scene; one suffered burns and smoke inhalation
The other was hospitalized for a non-fire-related issue
four sustained fire damage and two were damaged by smoke
The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire
The cause of the fire is under investigation
— Richmond police have identified the pedestrian killed by a driver on a Chamberlayne Avenue sidewalk on Tuesday last week
Anthony Green of Richmond was struck by the driver of a vehicle traveling southbound who left the roadway in the 2300 block of Chamberlayne Avenue
striking an unoccupied car before coming to a stop
The driver and a passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
RPD is still investigating the circumstances of the collision
Anyone with further information about this incident is asked to call RPD Crash Team Detective G
Drago at (804) 646-1369 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000
The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used
This is a developing story. If you knew the victim and want to share memories or condolences, please email the CBS 6 Newsroom.
-- A woman remains hospitalized after being shot in a domestic incident early Saturday morning in Richmond
at an apartment in the 4300 block of Chamberlayne Avenue on the Northside
Investigators believe the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute involving the victim and her boyfriend
was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries
the boyfriend is reported to have taken his own life
who were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting
If you have information that could help detectives, call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or submit a tip online at https://rvacrimestoppers.org
All three Crime Stoppers methods of contact are anonymous
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
--The site of an old school building at Richmond’s northern boundary is planned to become a new clinic for a reproductive healthcare nonprofit
Click here to continue reading on Richmond BizSense
A shooting in the city’s North Side left one man dead and sent a woman to the hospital on Monday evening
to a report of a shooting in the 4900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue
Officers arrived and found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound
He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries
police identified the victim as Lamont Hawley-Barrow
Police said a woman with a gunshot wound from the same incident was transported by a personal vehicle to a local hospital
Her injuries are not considered life-threatening
Anyone with further information is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P
Mansfield at (804) 646-6996 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000
The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphone also may be used
Vivian Health researched the latest occupation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to learn which healthcare fields that require a shorter education timeline were predicted to grow the fastest between 2023 and 2033
the average percentage of growth of all occupations combined over this decade is expected to be 4%
anything above 4% would be considered faster than average
1. Physical Therapist Assistants
Some states also require background checks and passing an exam covering its laws regulating PTA practice
2. Occupational Therapy Assistants
3. Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides
some states require HHAs to be licensed or certified
4. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
5. Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings
taking vital signs and preparing blood samples for laboratory tests
While it's common for medical assistants to complete certification or diploma programs lasting 1 to 2 years
many states don't require formal education
Medical assistants with only a high school diploma or equivalent may learn the necessary skills through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training
Some states may require licensure or certification
and some employers may prefer certified candidates even if the state doesn't require it
6. Respiratory Therapists
7. Phlebotomists
blood sample training and equipment maintenance
A post-secondary non-degree award from a phlebotomy program that typically lasts less than a year is usually required
it's possible to enter this healthcare occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training
but employers may prefer professionally certified candidates
8. Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They may measure amounts of medication, label prescriptions and manage inventory. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, along with moderate-term on-the-job training. However, nearly every state regulates pharmacy technicians
so you may be required to complete formal education or training
pass an exam or complete a criminal background check
Many employers prefer certification even when it isn't required but may pay employees to take the exam
9. Surgical Assistants
assist in surgical operations by positioning patients
clamping blood vessels and applying surgical dressing
While you may be able to enter this occupation through a post-secondary non-degree program
surgical assistants typically earn an associate degree
Certification is available and may be preferred by employers
four states require registration and three states and Washington
10. Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) respond to emergency calls
perform basic medical services or potentially life-saving interventions and transport patients to medical facilities if needed
They often provide care on the scene and in ambulances on the way to hospitals
but they may also be part of an emergency helicopter or airplane flight crew
Post-secondary educational programs leading to a certificate or diploma are typically required
and all states require EMTs to be licensed
which usually involves completing an accredited education program and passing a national or state exam
While each of these careers allows you to enter the healthcare field relatively quickly
many of the healthcare roles highlighted above also serve as pathways to advanced positions
By strategically investing in further education
these initial roles can become powerful foundations for long-term career growth and greater earning potential
Here's a quick look at how each job could lead you forward:
This story was produced by Vivian Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker
Virginia State Police's Med-Flight 1 helicopter was requested for the rescue of a teenage girl who was hiking from Devil's Marbleyard in Rockb…
was brought to the hospital with signs of malnourishment before passing away
New Affordable Housing Development Coming to Henrico
Crescent Development helping to meet region’s goal to significantly increase affordable housing units by 2040
VA – A new housing development is breaking ground on May 30 in Henrico County
known as ‘The Helios,’ is a joint venture between Richmond based partners Spy Rock Real Estate Group and Crescent Development
and all of the units will be restricted and affordable to those earning under 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
The site is located at 5701 Chamberlayne Road and replaces an abandoned dilapidated Days Inn motel
The estimated completion of the project is as soon as the end of 2025
The Helios development will be operated by solar power generated on-site to significantly reduce utility and electric costs for residents and reduce emissions
The development plans include solar panels on the roof of each building along with four ground segments across a 1.9-acre solar array
The construction process and solar-powered utilities will meet the Virginia Energy ready home code and EarthCraft Gold community standards for energy efficiency
The $54 million development cost is being funded by a $35 million construction loan from Bank of America and a $23 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) indirect equity investment arranged by Red Stone Equity Partners
Additional financial partners include Virginia Housing
the 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits issuer
and Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust will also provide permanent financing
“The Helios is a pioneering affordable housing project
entirely powered using a large private solar array,” said Andrew Basham
this hasn’t been done before in Virginia.”
Spy Rock is primarily focused on multi-family and mixed-use properties across Richmond
Their team is associated with over 45 projects that involve more than 4,000 units of housing and 593,000 square feet of commercial space
“This joint venture is a wonderful opportunity to create affordable housing in a way that benefits the community,” said Zac Frederick
we rehabilitate developments and create new housing opportunities where people can live both affordably and comfortably.”
Crescent is a Richmond
VA-based real estate investment management firm that specializes in the acquisition
substantial rehabilitation and ground-up development of affordable housing
“This collaboration will benefit our community by providing more high-quality
affordable housing in Henrico,” said Supervisor Roscoe D
whose Fairfield District includes The Helios
“This development creates both jobs and housing for our residents
and it supports the broader reinvention and strengthening of the Chamberlayne corridor
The developers' vision to provide affordable yet modern housing with sustainable initiatives is truly commendable
This will create a long-lasting impact in both Henrico and greater Richmond.”
The 8.2-acre development site consists of three mid-rise
offering 186 units with 1 to 3-bedroom floor plans
The development will offer several common spaces – including a single-story clubhouse
The development is located near local grocery stores
offering easy access to major highways and public transportation for residents’ convenience
The Helios will include on-site management
The property is also providing over 350 parking spaces
“Bank of America is pleased to help finance The Helios
which will provide much-needed affordable housing to our community,” said Victor Branch
“This innovative and sustainable development is one of many efforts in the Greater Richmond Region to help residents improve their quality of life while contributing to a growing
KBS is the general contractor on the project
Poole & Poole Architects is the project architect and VHB Engineering is tasked with completing the civil/site design
Steelhead Management will provide property management and residential services
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the crisis of homelessness has been a bleak reality for some in the city of Richmond
Many have had to face hardships that stem from a lack of resources as well as difficulty accessing available relief
city leaders tasked with finding solutions to mitigate the crisis unveiled a tangible measure in a new facility off Chamberlayne Avenue
"Today we all stand here to celebrate the official launch
of the Office of Homeless Services and the opening of the community resource and training center."
Richmond Mayor Stoney addressed a small crowd during a ribbon cutting for the new resource center which is touted to be the first of its kind in the Commonwealth
While city residents in search of housing relief can still use the internet and phone services through the Homeless Connection Line
Stoney says people can now get connected to those same services face to face at the resource center
The new building has been three years in the making according to Stoney
“You can get connected to homeless services right here by just showing up and a lot of time those who are facing those challenges may not have a phone or a computer or have any other way of access in any other way other than by showing up in person.“ Stoney said
Keeping a roof over people's heads and food on the table
those who enter the building will be assisted by a receptionist who can help connect people with some of the support services offered through these halls
5th District Council Woman Stephanie Lynch praised the new center which has been at least three years in the making
she reminded those in attendance of the desperation people are still experiencing even as the services become activated
“The true reason that we’re here is for moms like the one I spoke to this morning who spent the night in her car with her son
but who she took on because her sister became incarcerated,” Lynch said
“She faced what many people in the city are facing which is a courtroom
and a subsequent Sheriff's visit with her and her belongings on the outside of her apartment.”
Lynch believes it will take the additional services provided by the resource center along with the resources from nonprofits
funding sources from the city and other localities
and support from the community to effectively curb the blight of homelessness
“The fact that you can walk through these hallways and there is the Department of Social Services
other community partners - it is what we have needed in the city to fill the gaps in our own human services system for so so long,” Lynch said
“It takes a lot of effort and a huge team to do it,” Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders said
“27 organizations that are funded through the city’s nondepartmental process for a total of $2.95 million that this resource center will tap into to make sure that individuals who come through our doors have all the help they need and should be entitled to.”
The Homelessness Services are also housed in the same building as the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army will operate its permanent inclement weather shelter
opening its doors to the public again beginning November 15 through April 2025
with the Salvation Army Advisory Board says the services provided through the new resource center will continue to be expanded upon in the coming years
“We mark another important step through towards the ultimate mission of housing the city of hope here at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue,” James said
As Stoney nears the end of his mayoral tenure
he says he hopes the mission to end homelessness in the city continues to be a top priority in the next mayor’s administration
“What I want to see in the next mayor and the next administration is continued investment subsidies that produce more affordable housing
continue to remove the regulatory and barriers so we can up zone around the city," Stoney said
"Continue to work with our regional partners for solutions like this."]
-- Chipotle fans in Mechanicsville rejoice
Your favorite Mexican grill is preparing to open on Chamberlayne Road
The new location comes with a Chipotlane so you don't even have to get our of your car...
The Chipotlane is a drive-thru pick-up lane to grab online orders
The new Chipotle will create about 30 jobs for which you can apply here
It is located about seven miles from the Chipotle Mexican Grill on Bell Creek Road in Mechanicsville
Do you know about a good news story happening in your community? Email the CBS 6 Newsroom and let us know.
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInRICHMOND
(WWBT) - The Richmond Police Department identified the couple killed in a murder-suicide last month
21 for the report of two people down in a home
Officers arrived and found 29-year-old Jonel Brown and 29-year-old Darnell Forehand unresponsive in the home with gunshot wounds
“Brown was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries last Thursday,” police said in a news release Friday
“Forehand was pronounced dead at the scene.”
An investigation revealed that Forehand shot Brown before shooting himself
“Motive of the shooting is unknown at this time
detectives have also determined that Forehand and Brown were in a dating relationship,” police said
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Major Crimes Detective G
Russell at 804-646-7715 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000
-- A Richmond man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after he was shot in the neck Friday afternoon while driving down Chamberlayne Avenue
This is horrible." Bruce Anderson believes now is the time for divine intervention
this is going to keep happening and this is sad,” Anderson said
Police were called to the 4900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue Friday afternoon near the intersection of Azalea Avenue
Neighbors living nearby say they heard at least three shots
Traffic near the scene of the shooting was detoured while investigators took measurements and collected bags of evidence
"I ride through every day coming and going to work
I don't want no beef or any stuff like that - I mean whatever you put in yourself is what's going to come out you know," Anderson said
and toxicity - so that's what's going to come out."
Crime Insider sources tell CBS 6 Jon Burkett that detectives do not believe this was road rage or a random shooting
They add that the man driving the car was most likely targeted
I mean it speaks for itself just looking at it," Anderson said
At last check - the victim is in the intensive care unit at VCU Medical Center
you can call them anonymously at 804-780-1000 or text your tip to their P3 app
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip
-- You'll now be able to catch the GRTC Pulse bus from Glen Allen to the City of Richmond
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday at the Henrico Sports and Events complex to kick off that new route
The Route 1 service expansion is projected to add more than 20,000 monthly riders to GRTC's most popular fixed-route bus
The route connects downtown Richmond to Virginia Center Commons through Chamberlayne Avenu and Brook Road
Route 1 is part of the city's effort to expand the north-south Pulse bus line
Riders can expect 36 new stops along Route 1 in Henrico along nearly eight miles of travel in each direction
GRTC is planning a full north-south route to accompany the already existing east-west line
The new route will run from the Azalea area near the Henrico-Richmond line
It would then cross the river into Southside along the 9th Street Bridge and out Hull Street
GRTC is also planning a westward expansion of the Pulse line deeper into Henrico County
UPDATE: The two left lanes have been reopened
Traffic is no longer being diverted at Exit 82
— Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 95 in Henrico County
VDOT advised a multi-vehicle crash has closed northbound lanes near the Route 1 exit (mile marker 81)
Traffic is being detoured off of Exit 82 onto Chamberlayne Road
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom
and Varina Supervisor Tyrone Nelson shake hands after cutting the ribbon on Landmark’s first phase during a ceremony Thursday
Ceremonies Thursday on opposite ends of Henrico marked the start of home sales at a massive development near Sandston and construction of a solar-powered apartment complex near Northside
County Manager John Vithoulkas and Varina District Supervisor and Board Chairman Tyrone Nelson were on hand for a ribbon-cutting for Landmark
400-home development by Varina-based Godsey Properties along Williamsburg Road between Sandston and Interstate 295
Reston-based Ryan Homes is building those homes, as well as nearly 500 more planned next door at Gateway at Landmark, an extension project that Godsey also is developing on about 50 acres beside the interstate
First batches of townhomes have been built at Landmark’s initial phases
Development has wrapped up for Landmark’s initial two phases
and Ryan has built the first batches of townhomes that are priced starting in the upper $200,000s
and representatives said the company has sold 38 of the townhomes so far
Godsey said development is getting underway for Landmark’s third phase and the first section of Gateway
which is planned for 484 condos and about a dozen detached homes
Landmark is planned for 355 townhomes and 41 detached homes
along with amenities including an amphitheater
pavilion and pickleball and tennis courts that will also be open to Gateway residents
Landmark is to include commercial development
fast-food restaurants and potentially a hotel
Godsey said he’s aiming to land a grocery store
and he’s seeking county approval for about 360 apartments for so-called “active adult” residents aged 55 and up
Of the additional housing in Henrico’s eastern end
Godsey said Thursday: “It’s a huge need out here
Officials toss the dirt in Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony for Helios Apartments
Earlier in the day, in the county’s Azalea area, officials joined Spy Rock Real Estate Group’s Andrew Basham and Taylor Williams and Crescent Development’s Zac Frederick for a groundbreaking ceremony for Helios Apartments
a 186-unit solar-powered complex set to rise at the former Days Inn of Richmond site at 5701 Chamberlayne Road
Construction on the income-restricted apartments is scheduled to wrap up in mid- to late-2025
The apartments will be fully powered by adjacent solar field panels included in the project
which Frederick has described as rare for the Richmond market
The project also involves low-income housing tax credits and will consist of one-
two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from about 650 to 1,200 square feet targeted to households earning 60 percent of the area median income
and Fairfield District Supervisor Roscoe Cooper were among those in attendance for the ceremony
Henrico officials rounded out the day with a ribbon-cutting for a public restroom facility at Four Mile Creek Park along the Virginia Capital Trail
The new-construction building also includes a drinking fountain and bike racks for VCT riders
The restroom facility was approved in March 2023 at the park at 3256 New Market Road
which acts as a trailhead for the 51.7-mile VCT
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-- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney praised a unanimous vote by Richmond City Council to sell an old school building on Chamberlayne Avenue to the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood — for just $10
but also lifesaving healthcare options for residents in what I see as a health care desert,” the mayor said in an interview with CBS 6
“We want women to have autonomy over their bodies
with opportunities to access life-saving care
They’ll get that in the city of Richmond.”
Planned Parenthood will invest $6 million to build a state of the art health clinic on site
The vote came in light of a 30% rise in out-of-state clients seeking care
according to the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
The sudden rise is accredited to the fact that Virginia remains the only state in the South without restrictions or bans on abortion
There are two Planned Parenthood facilities in Richmond
and a total of five clinics that provide abortion services
Supporters of this decision emphasized the type of care the new center will provide
such as primary care and family planning services — like Tara Gibson
“I’ve depended on them for both my reproductive health care as well as my primary care
saying he feels the issue hits close to home for him
I hope this care is there for them,” he said
Rae Pickett spoke to the importance of such care
“The reality is it doesn’t matter how you or I feel about abortion
we all deserve health care that allows us to live our fullest lives,” she said
Since the Dobbs decision in the Supreme Court two years ago
Virginia is regarded as an abortion “safe haven” by some
Opponents of abortion feel that is not something Virginia should be proud of
that we become an abortion destination,” one resident said at Monday night’s meeting
said there are more important uses for the building
should go into helping the residents of that community who are struggling," she said
"Women in this area need real help that Planned Parenthood clinic cannot provide
I do implore you to consider alternatives for this space," said northside resident Alicia Taggert
Despite its staggeringly low sticker price
Stoney says Planned Parenthood will now pay real estate tax on the vacant
dilapidated building — but that the health care mission of the facility was his main focus
“We’re going to receive tax dollars for this in the long term
but also the opportunity to help out women who were in need of that care in the future was one of our top priorities,” Stoney said
there is a chance that Richmond could face a legal challenge over the sale
In a statement from the Family Foundation and their legal arm before the vote
officials said they plan to challenge the process in court
"For Richmond City to give away a public property valued at $1.2 million is a clear violation of law and city ordinance that requires the solicitation of bids and proposals for all interested parties
If the City Council passes this Ordinance today
it should expect a lawsuit to reverse its unlawful action." said Josh Heztler
Legislative Council for Families First Legal Center
Stoney said the Planned Parenthood offer for the property was unsolicited
and the city followed all applicable laws governing unsolicited real estate proposals
“I wear that with a badge of honor," Stoney said of the potential litigation
our job is to provide care for people who need it the most.”
An email inquiry to The Family Foundation about the potential litigation has not been answered yet
Times-Dispatch Ice Cream Bracket - July 5 update
Thalhimer reports the following transactions: Century Distribution Systems
leased 14,197 square feet of office space at East Shore
renewed its lease of 4,523 square feet of retail space at Gold’s Gym Plaza
Mystreet Community Management expanded their existing 2,993 square feet of office space by 1,279 square feet
renewed its lease of 1,715 square feet of retail space at Ivymont Square Shopping Center
14101-14257 Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield
Lizzy’s African Cuisine leased 1,600 square feet of retail space at Brookhill Azalea
leased .33 acres of yard space at 210 Arcadia Street in the City of Richmond
leased 1,705 square feet of office/yard area at 3516 Belt Boulevard in Richmond
Zaman Nazari leased 5,000 square feet of office/warehouse space at 11049 Air Park Road in Hanover
The Desoto Group LLC leased 10,200 square feet of office/warehouse space at 5000 Old Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond
One South Commercial reports the following sales:
1712 Floyd LLC purchased 2,862 square feet (MF – 12 units) for $1,820,000 at 1712-14 Floyd Ave
Justin Sledd & Tom Rosman of One South Commercial represented the seller
Shahpur Properties LLC purchased 10,392 square feet (mixed use) for $2,189,000 at 116 N
Tom Rosman & Justin Sledd of One South Commercial represented the seller
PP & J Properties LLC sold 17,280 square feet at 13300 Ramblewood Drive in Chesterfield for $2,200,000 to F2P Investments VA
Cliff Porter & Byron Holmes represented the seller
The Byrd House at the Graduate Richmond is situated on the 16th floor of the hotel and offers city views to go with its full food and drink menu. The Byrd House offers specialty cocktails, a slushy machine, beer, wine and classic American cuisine with a focus on light and seasonal dishes. The Byrd House, 301 W. Franklin St. https://graduatehotels.com/richmond/restaurant/byrd-house
A casually upscale restaurant at Short Pump Town Center featuring a Mexican-inspired menu with offerings such as burritos and tostados, and seasonal cocktails. Open year round, weather permitting. Casa del Barco, 11800 W. Broad St., Suite 2516; casadelbarcova.com
Sloop: John B is an island-style taco bar themed restaurant in Henrico. Its signature Birria Taco comes with braised beef marinated 48 hours, melted queso blanco, homemade pan fried corn tortilla, jalapeño, onion, cilantro, and consommé for dipping. The rooftop is a great spot for live music and an SJB Limeade Crush or a ginger pear martini. Sloop John B, 1420 N Parham Road; sloopjohnbrva.com
Located on the 20th floor of Hilton’s Hampton Inn Suites in downtown Richmond, Kabana Rooftop offers unmatched views of the city as well as high-concept food and drinks. Kabana Rooftop, 700 E. Main St.; kabanarooftop.com
Marylous in the Fan features a rooftop deck called The Penthouse that offers a laidback Miami vibe with bright purple accents
“The rooftop gives you an opportunity to feel like you’re on vacation
without leaving town,” said owner LaChan Toran
the New York Deli's Rockaway Beach roof deck is a fun addition to the Carytown scene
look out for drink specials and community activities
New York Deli’s Rockaway Beach rooftop, 2920 W. Cary St.; ny-d.com
Catch the views from the highly-acclaimed Quirk Hotel
The Q Rooftop Bar is the perfect creative event space to catch up with friends during happy hour with house-designed cocktails and haute hotdogs by Mayor Meats
Quirk Rooftop, 201 W
Nosh on fresh Mexican food and inspired drinks on the rooftop of this downtown Mexican bar and restaurant
Focusing on fresh ingredients in a colorful setting
the rooftop bar is the perfect spot for a few tacos and margs during the fairer season
Juan's Rooftop & Cantina, 11 W. Broad St.; juanscafeandcantina.com/rooftop
The old-style Cuban charm of this restaurant/bar is translated to the rooftop amenities, emphasizing authentic Cuban cuisine, craft beverages and salsa dancing on Thursdays. Havana 59, 16 N. 17th St.; havana59.com
With an emphasis on comfort, the roof deck at Common House brings together healthy snacks, sandwiches, and salads for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Though rooftop access is year-round, they fully open the rooftop bar and pool seasonally during the summer and fall. Pool and deck are open to members only. Membership is $175/month. Common House, 303 W. Broad St.; commonhouse.com
Sit and relax on the rooftop of the second largest brewery in Virginia
where taps include what’s seasonal and you can catch some nightly entertainment
The third-floor roof top bar and event space is the perfect spot to get together with friends for a Drag Brunch, happy hour drinks, or a low-key bite of an appetizer. Harry’s at the Hofheimer, 2818 W. Broad St.; harrysrva.com
Looking for an inclusive menu that takes allergies into account
The Pit and the Pell offers its much-loved smoothies and acai bowls on the rooftop
Importante Bodega Bar in Carytown opened this year with a new rooftop. Swing by for pinxtos, tapas, and charcuterie, as well as house-made red and white sangria and cocktails. The roof deck has the full restaurant menu as well as views of Carytown. Importante Bodega Bar, 3031 W. Cary St.; importanterva.com
stepped into her new role leading the organization on Monday
She replaces Jack Berry who retired after more than three decades…
A mistake that employers make too often is being too complacent in addressing performance or conduct concerns of an employee
A site plan shows the two apartment buildings and adjacent solar panels that would power the units
a longtime hotel site at a northern gateway to Richmond could be repositioned as income-based housing
with a solar-power component added to the mix
An 8-acre property that includes the former Days Inn of Richmond property at 5701 Chamberlayne Road is being proposed for a residential development consisting of 186 lower-income apartments and an adjacent solar field that would power the property
Crescent principal Zachery Frederick said the Chamberlayne site came to his attention when Henrico County demolished what was left of the former hotel in 2021
after declaring the property derelict two years earlier
“I reached out to the owner and pinged them every six months
and finally they realized it was time to sell,” Frederick said
“Luckily I was able to get it under contract and apply the vision to it.”
That vision includes two buildings – one four stories tall and the other three stories – that would house the apartments. The buildings would be similar in style to The Ella
Spy Rock’s mixed-use development on part of the UMFS campus that’s shown in the plans as a sample building elevation
A sample building elevation included in the plans shows The Ella
Spy Rock’s mixed-use development on part of the UMFS campus in Richmond
The plans also show a detached office/clubhouse building
surface parking around the buildings and the solar field
which would fill an adjacent parcel to the south with six rows of solar panels
two- and three-bedroom apartments would range in size from about 650 to 1,200 square feet and be targeted to households earning 60 percent of the area median income
Frederick said the project would involve low-income housing tax credits and solar credits provided by the federal Inflation Reduction Act
which encourages investments in domestic and clean energy
“The recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has allowed us to really boost the incentives to use solar and renewable energy
so on that 2-acre parcel we plan to put nothing but solar panels that will power the 186 units exclusively,” Frederick said
The developers are under contract to buy the two parcels that make up the site pending zoning and permit approvals from Henrico
Requests for rezoning and a provisional-use permit are set to go before the county Planning Commission at its meeting tonight (Thursday)
The former Days Inn of Richmond site was razed in 2021
The 6-acre hotel site – across Chamberlayne from the Exit 82 off-ramp for Interstate 95 northbound – is owned by Chesapeake Veterans Home LLC
a Virginia Beach-based entity that bought it in 2015 for $1 million
The 2-acre parcel at 5700 Crenshaw Road is owned by Ashley Terrace Realty LLC
tied to the owner of the next-door Ashley Terrace Apartments
Henrico has assessed the two parcels at about $1.2 million combined
The larger parcel originally housed the Virginia Inn
a hotel also known as Virginia Interstate Inn or Schrafft’s Virginia Inn
the original structure totaled 101 rooms and was expanded by 90 rooms in 1972
according to notes on the county’s property record
The hotel became a Best Western in 1980 and was later split into two hotels
The Red Roof Inn was later converted to a Ramada
The property is adjacent to a Super 8 by Wyndham hotel that remains in operation
An undated postcard shows the Schrafft’s Virginia Inn that once filled the site
After the property was deemed derelict in 2019
the county instituted a real estate tax abatement program to stimulate the site’s redevelopment
The county also placed liens on the property to recoup its demolition costs
which states that the purchase price for the property would cover payment to the county to satisfy the liens
County planners are supportive of the project but recommend deferring the case from Thursday’s meeting because of questions regarding fencing and buffering around the property
Hirschler attorney Jeff Geiger is representing the developers in their requests
Frederick did not provide a cost estimate for the project
which the developers working on with engineering firm VHB
He described the project as challenging to pull off in a market in need of more housing options
“It’s very difficult to build affordable housing,” Frederick said
“The tools provided through the Inflation Reduction Act have really made it a little bit easier
but we’re doing the best we can with what we’ve got and we’re getting creative
“There’s still a lot more needed to solve the affordable housing crisis
We’re able to pull it off because of things like the IRA
affordable housing for the folks who need it most,” he said
The apartments would add to other residential development in the works along that stretch of Chamberlayne. To the south, StyleCraft Homes is planning 160 townhomes on a wooded site on the east side of Chamberlayne between the post office and Azalea Avenue
The project also would be the latest redevelopment plan for a former roadside hotel in that part of the county. Farther north along Brook Road, Middleburg Communities is planning to replace the Knights Inn motel with more than 300 apartments and townhomes
Why would you not put as many of the solar panels as you can over the parking spaces…
developer get’s more buildable space
the parking area is on the wrong side of the property to receive adequate sun
you want panels to face the south- With east facing the second best option
West and North facing panels are too inefficient to consider
which barely casts a shadow longer than 30′ on winter days
so all but one row of parking on the north side would have full day sun
minimal shadow casting during prime solar hours
I think the real question here is why are there no panels on the roofs of the buildings – that part makes little sense to me
These two developers are smart to take advantage of the federal incentives for combining low income housing with the “all solar” concept
I am sure most of the costs for the entire project will be paid for by federal
the rent is being subsidized or paid for entirely by taxpayers
It appears the solar field is at ground level
The solar field will be vandalized or the panels will be stolen immediately and this issue will be ongoing
The panels that remain will lose 5% of their efficiency every… Read more »
Panels will still generate useful quantities of energy well beyond the warrantied 25 years
Those are ridiculous assumptions about vandalism and some poor math tossed into the mix for a poor argument
I give the developer credit for promoting cutting edge technology with affordable housing
The tenants will have jobs and will pay rent
Misplaced decimals can certainly produce overconfidence
So putting aside my incorrect 5th grade math
the pro solar panel article states that there is degradation of output over time
No one is disputing degradation – just the levels
What about panels being destroyed in storms
What cost to the efficiency is replacements
BEFORE we jump so deep into the “green” energy – let’s put the investment money into the electrical infrastructure grid
we need affordable energy STORAGE capability
Both at the individual home level AND at the power sources
They are an eyesore… Read more »
I am very curious why the solar is not rooftop
This seems important for increasing density – or at least leaving the door open to greater density in the future
you still don’t realize how damaging solar panels are to the environment…
We need to destroy these solar farms and return them as valuable farmland for our farmers
I am sure developers are willing to leverage any sustainable strategies you may have to offer as an alternative for energy production
This property is not and has not been valuable farmland for quite some time
Kudos to the developer here for finding a viable way to create much need affordable housing
Plenty of electricity and no ugly powerlines
RIIIIIGHT, keep believing one of the many deep state narratives that have been fed to us all these years to keep us enslaved. Here, i’ll even be nice and refer you to my anon community that i’m apart of: https://t.me/s/phil_godlewskii
You’re always welcome to join if you want
Because burning fossil fuels is GREAT for farmlands
Are you seriously proposing a farm off Chamberlayne
I was referring to huge solar farms in the sticks
Richmond Bizsense keeps deleting MOST of my comments and doesn’t support free speech
This country will always be dependent on fossil fuels
The existing warehouse complex at 1515 Chamberlayne Ave
More apartments appear to be in the pipeline for a stretch of Chamberlayne Avenue that’s attracted similar development in recent years
Plans filed last month with Richmond City Hall show a 91-unit apartment development planned at 1515 Chamberlayne Ave
The five-story building would replace an existing warehouse at the southeast corner of Chamberlayne and Fritz Street
currently home to interior design company Accent Interiors
would be razed to make way for the apartments
which would consist of both income-based and market-rate units
according to an application for a special-use permit that would be needed for the project
A conceptual rendering of the building as it would appear along Chamberlayne Avenue
who own the 0.8-acre property through an entity called Accent Draperys Inc.
are applying for the permit with Anthony Lawrence
an architect with South Carolina-based Mota Design
Lawrence said details about the project are subject to change and would not be finalized until the permit is approved
City planning staff is currently reviewing the application
would consist of three levels of apartments above a two-level parking deck
The 91 apartments would include studio and one- and two-bedroom units that would wrap around a central terrace amenity
The development also would include a two-level parking deck with as many spaces – one per unit
Renderings show the building’s rear elevation above its north-facing side along Fritz Street
Three of the apartments would be fitted on the second level with the parking deck
and the plans show three larger ground-floor spaces that would front Chamberlayne and appear to be storefronts for commercial tenants
A lobby would be located at the corner of Chamberlayne and Fritz
has owned the existing warehouse since 2005
and the city most recently assessed the property at $998,000
A site plan of the building’s ground floor shows the structure’s configuration on the 0.8-acre site
The site is a block north of The James apartments, an 11-year-old, 270-unit complex that sold last year for $44.7 million
The new apartments would augment other multifamily residential development that has added to or is in the works for the commercial corridor that leads into Richmond’s Northside
Two blocks north, local firms Crescent Development and Spy Rock Real Estate Group recently completed Concord Northside
a 152-unit apartment building for seniors at the intersection of Chamberlayne and School Street
Farther north, a half-acre site at 711 Dawn St., at the corner of Tazewell Avenue just north of where Tazewell branches off from Chamberlayne, is slated for a four-story, 41-unit apartment project
The Chamberlayne Corridor just north of downtown is starting to really pop with new residential development and is slowing beginning what will inevitably be an EPIC transformation to one of the hot up-and-coming urban core districts on the city’s near Northside
It’s exciting to watch all of this unfold – and I can’t wait to see what this part of town will look like in three
They really need to relook those bike lanes as dentistry increases in this area
It’s already quite unpleasant for those living around there
HANOVER — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback on a transportation study assessing potential improvements along Route 301 (Chamberlayne Road).
The study focuses on concepts targeting identified needs including capacity preservation
and travel demand management for approximately 1.3 miles of Chamberlayne Road
VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more and take an online survey through May 13
Community input received through this survey will help the study team refine the recommendations for potential improvements and determine whether to pursue future funding opportunities
The survey, which has a translation tool for other languages, is available at https://publicinput.com/ri-23-11alternatives
Comments can also be sent to Liz.McAdory@vdot.virginia.gov or to Liz McAdory
VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency
Liz McAdory or VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) or device for hearing impaired (TTY) at 711
Please note that this file is not ADA compliant
-- As the City of Richmond plans to expand shelter capacity and services for the homeless community
a group of neighbors has expressed opposition
citing potentially negative impacts on nearby businesses
Nobody here feels good about it," said David Kohler
president of the Chamberlayne Industrial Center neighborhood association
The same group first raised concerns about a homeless shelter in their neighborhood back in 2019
when the city wanted to allow the Salvation Army to operate a shelter with nearly 100 beds at the building at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue at the time
the shelter ended up downsizing its capacity
Commonwealth Catholic Charities operated an inclement weather shelter at the same location from December 2022-April 2023 and served 30 people at a time
It was one of the three scattered sites the city used during its past inclement weather season
The other two shelters were located on the city's Southside
We had people basically loitering in the streets
"The shelter didn't open until 6 o'clock (pm) and threw the people back out on the street at 8 o'clock (am)
So, when Kohler's group discovered through the news that the city wanted to allow the Salvation Armyto expand capacity at the Chamberlayne Avenue location to 150 beds during the winter
while keeping 50 of them operational all year long and an additional 100 beds on standby for year-round weather emergencies
They said their council representative in the third district
“Why is our elected official who represents us not giving us full disclosure on what's going on
so we really feel let down and betrayed to tell you the truth," Kohler said
Kohler said the group doesn't oppose a shelter entirely
but they believe it would be more fair to establish smaller shelters in multiple different parts of the city
"Let's do a temporary shelter here this winter and have..
an equitable sharing with the other eight districts and not concentrate 150 beds of the 300 needed beds in our area and creating this as the epicenter for the homeless of Richmond," Kohler said
the proposed shelter has gained a great deal of support from homeless people
“Everybody’s not on the same page," said Gerald Polard
a man experiencing homelessness who utilized the city's overnight inclement weather shelter on East Broad Street Tuesday night as temperatures dipped into the 30's
Polard said taking care of the vulnerable should be a community-wide effort and that everyone deserves a place to go for safety
Don't put them down because what they go through
Try to help them on issues," Polard said about the opposition to the city's proposed plans
Multiple leaders within the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), which is the region's network of homeless assistance services, recently sent a letter to Mayor Levar Stoney and Council President Mike Jones to support the city's plans.
we are grateful for the proposed expansion of emergency shelter capacity for both families and single adults
This significant investment in expanding coordinated homeless assistance and shelter should be recognized and celebrated," the letter stated
which was signed by more than a dozen non-profit leaders within the GRCoC
In addition to the year-round shelter at Chamberlayne Avenue
the city would establish a 50-bed shelter at an old hostel in Downtown Richmond
in partnership with the non-profit Home Again
city officials have said their proposal would expand the region's existing capacity of family beds by 67% and single adult beds by 43%
taking the number of total beds from about 320 to 420
The location on Chamberlayne Avenue would also serve as a housing resource center
which councilmembers hope will be open seven days a week to provide information and referrals for homeless people on a walk-up basis
Councilor Lambert said she expected the location to serve as an entry point into the GRCoC
adding "this will not work if that is not in place."
Most people are entered into the GRCoC through the Homeless Connection Line
a phone number that people can call when they reach a crisis situation
executive director of Homeward which serves as a planning agency of the GRCoC
said the board and policy committee are still evaluating the process of how homeless people get connected to services
"This review process is ongoing and engages people with lived experience of homelessness
This helps to ensure that our system is optimized and accessible to those in need," Horne said
Lambert said she plans to meet with business owners in the Chamberlayne Industrial Center to hear their concerns
"I expect the city to have a plan in place on how we will move forward and the Salvation Army can be good neighbors with this process," Lambert said
who has been on the forefront of advocating for improving the city's homeless services
said the city and Salvation Army will monitor the location for possible criminal activity and congregation
she added that she did not notice homeless people standing around in the daytime at last year's inclement weather shelters on the Southside
and those who were chronically homeless retreated to their regular gathering spots
Kohler said with the shelter expected to be implemented by Dec
1 and with no official ordinance introduced yet detailing an operating agreement
He said he wants the City Council to reject the forthcoming ordinance for a permanent shelter in the Chamberlayne area and move forward with a temporary winter shelter to allow time for discussions about alternative solutions
and I'm sure if we put our heads together and we work together
WATCH:Neighbors, business owners anxious over proposed Southside homeless shelter
Adding that the city has not delivered on its past plans to revitalize the Chamberlayne business corridor
he said business owners will leave the area if the plan is approved
"It's not that they're insensitive to the need
It's just the lack of transparency that has gone through this process and the lack of representation that has been missed for us being the taxpayers," Kohler said
City officials met with the neighborhood group at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue Wednesday night
Lynch called on the Salvation Army to publicly release their plan so citizens can see how they propose addressing concerns
She also encouraged the neighborhood association to create a direct line of communication between a point person to convey concerns to the Salvation Army
Details about how the proposed shelter could be run will be presented at Monday's city council meeting before voted on the following week
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip
-- Changes will be coming to what experts deem as one of Richmond’s most dangerous stretches of road for pedestrians
That news was welcomed by Richmonders who relay on being able to cross Chamberlayne Avenue daily to get to the bus stop
I’d be crossing the street and someone would turn right in front of us," one woman who spoke to CBS 6 reporter Maggi Marshall on the condition of anonymity
no conscience about how fast they are driving
They don’t stop and think about the fact it could be their family member..
Five people were killed and 21 others have been seriously injured on the road over the last five years
And while Chamberlayne Avenue makes up only a tenth of 1% of Richmond's miles of roads
it contributes to 3% of the city's serious injury crashes
“A tiny bit of road is experiencing a tremendous burden,” one of Richmond's transportation engineers said
That led the city to conduct a road safety assessment in the fall as part of their Vision Zero Plan
That initiative aims to eliminate all traffic accidents and create safe streets for all
“We realize the bones of this city are its streets and we need healthy bones to have a healthy body,” the transportation engineer said
One of the cities transportation engineers presented the findings to a subcommittee of city council this month
They found 80% of the crashes are occurring at intersections
many of the crashes are due to the road not being well lit
They shared how they plan to take a short term and longterm approach in combating these issues
Crews are installing new traffic signal poles
vehicle detector sensors and pedestrian countdown equipment at Chamberlayne and Lombardy
They are also considering adding a safety camera program
installing "no right turn on red" signs and upgrading street lights
“You can’t put a price tag on safety,” Richmond City Councilman Andreas Addison (1st District) said
Officials said drivers can expect "intermittent lane and sidewalk closures during construction," which will likely be completed by August 2024
Click here to learnmore about the safety upgrades for Chamberlayne Avenue
Site work has started on the solar-powered Helios Apartments planned on the former Days Inn of Richmond site near the Chamberlayne/I-95 interchange
A pair of seven-figure land deals are teeing up two multifamily developments a few blocks from each other
Site work has started on Helios Apartments
a 186-unit income-based and solar-powered complex set to rise at the former Days Inn of Richmond site at 5701 Chamberlayne Road
near the Chamberlayne-Interstate 95 interchange
Work started shortly after an LLC tied to local developers Crescent Development and Spy Rock Real Estate Group closed Dec
which includes an adjacent parcel at 5700 Crenshaw Road
Henrico property records show the developers paid $3.85 million for the site – $3.4 million for the former hotel property
and $450,000 for the smaller Crenshaw parcel
The county had assessed the two parcels at $996,400 and $202,500
The sellers in the deals were Virginia Beach-based Chesapeake Veterans Home LLC and Ashley Terrace Realty LLC
Crescent principal Zac Frederick said construction on the apartments is scheduled to wrap up in mid- to late-2025
Frederick said the apartments will be fully powered by the adjacent solar field panels
which he described as rare for the Richmond market
“To be powered exclusively by solar panels
“It wouldn’t have happened without the recent Inflation Reduction Act that really increased tax credit benefits when combining solar credits and affordable housing credits.”
Frederick was unable to provide the estimated cost for the project when reached Friday
He said Bank of America is providing the construction financing for the project
Frederick said the apartments received positive feedback from the community during the approval process
Hirschler attorney Jeff Geiger represented the developers in their rezoning and permit requests with the county
“People were optimistic and looking forward to seeing a positive change in that corridor,” Frederick said
The larger parcel originally housed the 1960s-era Virginia Inn
The proposed townhomes would fill the wooded site beside the post office branch at Chamberlayne Avenue and Wilmer Avenue
A jog south along Chamberlayne toward Azalea Avenue, StyleCraft Homes closed Dec. 27 on two parcels totaling 16 acres at 5211 and 5251 Chamberlayne Ave., where the Lakeside-based homebuilder is planning 160 townhomes called Crossings at Mulberry
An LLC tied to StyleCraft paid $1.6 million for the two parcels
which are beside and south of the post office at Wilmer Avenue
The parcels were assessed by the county at just over $1 million combined
The for-sale townhomes would include two- and three-story units
Plans call for two- and three-story townhomes with floorplans ranging upward from 1,500 square feet
The 160 for-sale units would start in the upper $200,000s
StyleCraft President Richard Kuhn has said
It isn’t clear when construction on the townhomes will start
Kuhn could not be reached for comment last week
With more than 300 units between them, the two projects will add to a residential and commercial corridor that has taken some hits over the past year. Last summer, the nearby Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5221 Brook Road was shuttered
a former Walgreens pharmacy has also closed and been put up for sale
as if we really need another ugly ground solar farm
Keep that land undeveloped for more green space….
what we DO need is affordable housing and revitalization of depressed areas
I’m counting on Zac to have back-up power when the sun doesn’t shine
Not worried about back up but I did not see the power generation amount so I am intrigued as to whether it will be tied into the grid as well or just providing enough power for the apartments
A long-standing issue with solar-powered apartments is the mismatch of the time frame the power is harvested versus the time frame of most demand (that is
given the power storage limitations of existing batteries
I’m interested to hear about their solution to overcome that hurdle
It is a little odd to see solar deployed on the ground like that in the city
Seems like integrating it with parking the way they did at the Sauer’s development behind Whole Foods would be more efficient
My guess is that rooftop solar wouldn’t generate the minimum amount of power needed to capture the tax credits RBS mentioned in the article
From the Dept of Energy website an up to 70% tax credit incentive is offered to renewable energy projects benefitting low-income communities based on certain criteria
The credits would likely offset the cost of the land acquired to install the solar farm needed to meet the DOE requirements.
https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-opens-low-income-communities-bonus-credit-program-clean-energy “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda includes historic incentives designed to drive clean energy investments to underserved communities
wind and solar projects… Read more »
both of the projects mentioned are in Henrico just outside city limits
These will both make for great infill developments
Given how dense this area is overall it’s surprising these plots have been underutilized this long
-- Hundreds of young people age out of Virginia's foster care system every year without a permanent family support network
many facing an uncertain future and a high statistical likelihood of experiencing homelessness
A partnership between four organizations is turning an empty house into a home to help address the issue by providing temporary housing for a small group of young people who have aged out
The house sits on Chamberlayne Road just north of Interstate 95 next to what used to be Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church
Good Shepard United Methodist owns the property, and thanks to a donation from Anthem Healthkeepers Plus
The national non-profit Open Table will help run the program in partnership with Fostering Acadia
who support independent living for young adults (17 to 20 years old) who will soon age out of the foster care system
8 to 10 young people who are aging out of foster care will live in the home and receive community support from all four organizations
funding and support ends," said Jason Brown
“They don’t have the supports that a lot of their peers not in the foster care system have.”
said those young people aging out of the foster care system are often scared and worried about what's next when their support systems go away
"With the housing crisis going on right now
it is really hard for a 21-year-old to get their own apartment
"We need people to step up and need organizations and the community to step up to be that yes when we have the question what do we do for youth past 21.”
said as many as 50% of those who age out of the system experience some form of homelessness in the first six months
She said the Chamberlayne home helps break that cycle
I know the incredible impact this is going to have on the young people who have the opportunity to live here," Williams said
we have over 500 young people who age out of foster care every year
If 50% of them are likely to be homeless within the first six months
Stable housing is critical to any young person's job prospects
Both Brown and Williams said this partnership is about creating a "village" of support around those aging out of foster care when many community members not engaged in issues facing the foster care system do not know this is happening in their own backyard
I still needed to reach out to my mom and dad
so who are these youths reaching out to past 21
They need some people who will raise their hand and say
With those players and those partners and all of that together
throughout the Commonwealth and the country," Williams said
The initial group of four young men will move in about a month from now
Those involved in the partnership said they hope to repeat this model in other parts of the region and Commonwealth
Anthem Healthkeepers Plus donated $35,000 to Good Shepard to renovate the home and $100,000 to fund operations through Open Table
You can learn more about all four organizations through the hyperlinks in the story above. Resources and information for those aging out the foster care system are available here.
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
2022Joanna BrownSave this storySaveSave this storySaveConstance Tankerville-Chamberlayne and Arthur Oke first met in 2017 as two Londoners in Dubai
Constance worked as an editor for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia
while Arthur was a consultant traveling frequently to the Middle Eastern city
“We had our first date on a rooftop bar under the warm Arabian sky and clicked instantly,” Constance says
Arthur proposed to Constance atop the peak of Crest’ota in Switzerland
he asked her if she could stand up—and Constance
thinking she was accidentally sitting on his scarf or jacket
holding the most beautiful ring I had ever seen.”
“The look and feel were rustic and local,” Constance says of the overall aesthetic
Cocktail hour was held in the front garden. Waiters passed canapés of fresh figs with goat cheese, while bartenders served a custom gin, lime, and lavender cocktail developed by Copenhagen cocktail company Aeris. (All the while, white hydrangeas floated in the pool.)
After the storm let up, guests made a dash down the hill to the dancing tent—whose floor, due to all the water, turned into a de-facto slip and slide. Their first dance to “Into The Mystic” by Van Morrisson ended up more like a first stumble: “We just gripped each other tightly and laughed our way through it,” she says.
Joanna Brown1/58Period French architecture near my house in le Tarn.
Joanna Brown2/58The calm before the storm.
-- Some advocates for the homeless community have raised concerns about one of Richmond's newly opened shelters
claiming families and children were not being granted access to it
"I can tell you I am absolutely disappointed and outraged at the same time," said Tracey Hardney-Scott
"We are getting a whole bunch of calls just asking
'Where do we go?' We don't have anywhere to tell them to go."
the city opened two new shelters: one at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue and another at 7 N
The two shelters serve different populations and are also accessed differently
The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC)
which is Central Virginia's regional network of homeless assistance
handles and oversees the coordinated entry process
families and children who contact the GRCoC's entry point should be prioritized for shelter
the system's main entry point is the Homeless Connection Line
a phone number that homeless individuals are encouraged to call when they reach an emergency situation
The hotline is generally how most homeless individuals gain access to the region's other year-round homeless resources
people could access the city's inclement weather shelter specifically for families on a walk-up basis and get immediate help
she claimed some families have been unable to reach a person using the Homeless Connection Line and faced delays getting a callback
“Imagine being homeless and you don't know where to go
and now you're listening to a recording that keeps cutting you off or you're waiting for somebody to call you back
What happens if you don't have a place to charge your phone and you miss that phone call
Now you got to start from ground zero all over again instead of being able to walk up," Hardney-Scott said
executive director of Homeward which helps manage the crisis line
said all calls involving families are returned within 24 hours
She said the city's new family shelter is just one of several that already exist in the regional continuum of care
She added that the system is actively serving 24 families across multiple shelters and an additional 106 households through targeted housing programs
"GRCoC agencies are consistently and continuously serving families with children
and the system has the capacity to continue doing so
that there a great many families with children in our region facing housing instability," King Horne said
but our homeless services system cannot solve housing instability and poverty in our region
and we work tirelessly to serve as many people as possible who are experiencing homelessness."
Hardney-Scott said she believes a physical point of entry into the system of assistance is necessary
"The system is broken," Hardney-Scott said
"And until we start engaging in truthful and transparent conversations and not taking it personal
Richmond City Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch has previously said she hopes that a housing resource center being established at the 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue shelter will serve as a physical point of entry into the GRCoC
King Horne previously said GRCoC stakeholders were still discussing the system's entry points and had not decided on that
CBS 6 is still awaiting a response from the City of Richmond regarding concerns about the family shelter
Hardney-Scott said she and other advocates were virtually meeting with city officials Thursday evening
The Homeless Connection Line can be reached at 804-972-0813
– Neighbors believe a Glock switch may have been used in a deadly shooting on Richmond’s Northside Tuesday night
Police said 36-year-old Daniel Mallory was shot to death in the alley in the 2700 block of Chamberlayne Avenue around 9:30 p.m
The next day they saw a wooden fence splintered with bullet holes
"I saw police cars with blue lights going around and around — and it lasted hours," neighbor George Hicks
who has lived on the Northside for nearly 60 years
Hicks lives about a block away from the alley where Mallory was killed and called what happened “too close for comfort."
Other people living in the area said they have noticed an uptick in foot traffic and late-night activity that tends to spill into the alleys from Chamberlayne
"It used to be real nice until the homeless people started coming in,” Hicks lamented
but we just wish it was a different part of town."
including a man killed at a nearby motel in February
It is a part of town where Antonio Brooks said he constantly scans the area
he noted that violent crime has no boundaries
“I would say that literally everywhere in this country right now
Richmond Police opened 10 homicide investigations in April
Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer is pleased to announce the sale of approximately 2.36 acres of retail-zoned land on Chamberlayne Road (Route 301)and Judith Lane at the entrance to HHHunt’s Rutland Grove Community
Inc.purchased the acreage from HHHunt Communities for $450,000for the development of The Shops at Rutland Grove
CCIM and Pete Waldbauer of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer handled the sale negotiations on behalf of the seller; Annie O’Connor
Independently Owned and Operated / A Member of the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance
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Chamberlayne’s interest in Worcester started with his home in the Lenox neighborhood of Worcester
After his retirement as a crime analyst with the Worcester Police Department
the 74-year-old began to pursue his passion for local history
spurred by his service as a docent and researcher for Preservation Worcester that he said was the source for many ideas for articles
Chamberlayne put up his website - www.WorcesterThen.com - in December 2016
with the proviso that it was “an amateur historian’s efforts to contribute a little to what is known about the fascinating past of this great city.” He said it is intended to be “history lite,” leaving the “study of power relationships and the like to the professional
he is married with two adult children – a daughter
genealogy and operating a fantasy baseball league for 29 years
His most recent work is 17 pages on Worcester’s experience of the influenza pandemic of 1918
released a century after the outbreak during a current flu epidemic that has claimed dozens of lives
Chamberlayne says that the “city’s medical profession responded heroically
working long hours in conditions quite dangerous to themselves
and seeming to do so without complaint.” However
he is critical of the “city’s hesitation to act quickly enough to deter the spread of the disease by closing public gathering places
He concludes: “As for the actual impact of the epidemic
based on the examination of the numbers of cases and deaths
it is necessary to start by saying that anything that kills in the neighborhood of 1,100 people has a very great impact
But some of the narratives about the pandemic
citing upwards of 50 million deaths or even more
could leave one to surmise that a large percentage of the local population perished
and it directly affected something over 3 percent of families in the city
that turns out to have been virtually indeterminate
partly because influenza was nonreportable prior to October and partly because (there was) an unknown and undoubtedly significant number of people who simply endured the illness without being seen by a doctor or a nurse
The story of Worcester’s experience of the influenza pandemic stands as a good example of the city as a community coping with a frightening
My impression is that the city acquitted itself pretty well on the whole
the question is how well might Worcester fare if another large-scale viral threat should arise?”
Why did you decide to write “Worcester’s Experience of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918” for your website
“I started on the flu epidemic project in November
in part because 2018 marks the 100th year since it happened
and because I thought it was a subject worth knowing more about – others
I focused on the role of the press because I wanted to try to imagine what the epidemic looked and felt like through the perspective of the ordinary citizens of Worcester
and for them the newspapers were by far the most important source of information
My thought was that it had to be terrifying
to know that a potentially major attack of invisible
scarcely understandable viral killer-germs was on its way
The tracking of the viral threat and invasion of the city in the newspapers was by far the most important source for people wanting to know as much as possible about it.”
What other aspects of the epidemic did you research
“My second ‘take’ on the subject was to assess the after-the-fact Public Health Department data on the flu and the lobar (pulmonary) pneumonia which many flu cases morphed into
I was able to form an estimate of the number of Worcester people who lost their lives to the epidemic
gender and location of residence within the city
and to provide an estimate of the percentage of families that lost one or more members to the disease.”
How long did it take to finish the piece and how did you go about it
“It’s hard to say how long the task took because it was spread out over a month or so
editing and preparation of headline images – but maybe 20-25 hours would be a reasonable guess.”
Did you find anything unique to Worcester during that time
“In a sense it was all unique to Worcester
since I focused directly on the viewpoint of the local newspaper reader
although I suspect that pretty much the same story could be told about many or most other cities that got caught in the path of the flu
If anything about Worcester’s experience was truly unique
it might have been the conversion within a week of a dance-hall building at the Fair Grounds into an isolation hospital for the flu
As an example of Worcester’s being typical rather than atypical
I suspect that the medical communities of most cities doubled down for a long
I then did a short piece on the whole array of causes of death at that time
one which provides some perspective on how much we have to be thankful for regarding medical advances over the past century
especially the virtual elimination of so many contagious diseases and the sharp decline in infant mortality that has been seen
If it sounds like I specialize in public health issues
but I do focus a lot of my efforts on photographs – both old and new
one that I hope to find more time to complete within the year
of which I have two chapters of an intended four or five online now
with two others currently on the drawing board
I have lots of ideas stored up – including a couple already in motion or ‘on deck’
Next is likely to be a profile of the town in 1771
based on the data from a printout of the results of a survey conducted for purposes of taxation by the Colonial government.”
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-- Police have identified the woman killed in a Sunday night crash at Chamberlayne and West Laburnum avenues as 28-year-old Meredith Norris
officers located a three-vehicle collision in the 3600 block of Chamberlayne Avenue. Officers found a damaged vehicle in the right northbound travel lane with three occupants
in the vehicle," a Richmond Police spokesperson wrote in an email
The Emporia man was charged with possession of controlled substances
He also had several outstanding felony warrants from other Virginia jurisdictions
Anyone with information was asked to call RPD Crash Team Investigator Harrell at 804-646-5292 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000
While Richmond-area residents were preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday, workers at The Salvation Army were busy putting the finishing touches on their newly approved year-round homeless shelter
The nonprofit organization began working overtime to ensure the inclement weather shelter will be operating by a Dec
“We’ve done a good job covering all the bases as much as we can in the short amount of time we have,” said Charlene Nieman
development director with the Salvation Army
The Richmond City Council unanimously voted Nov
14 to approve $663,856 for the Salvation Army’s shelter and $542,056 to establish a 50-bed inclement weather shelter in the former Richmond Hostel at 7 N
The decision came after pleas for adequate shelter after a homeless woman known as Miss Linda died blocks away from a recently shuttered shelter
the need for beds is most dire and needed during both the winter and summer when extreme temperatures can be deadly
Homeless deaths from hypothermia average 700 annually, according to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council
People experiencing homelessness are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-related issues compared to those with shelter
With December designated as the start of inclement weather in the city
the Salvation Army had just over two weeks to ensure the shelter was operational
is being used as an inclement weather shelter
The shelter is being operated by the Salvation Army
said officials expect to meet their deadline
supplies at the ready and hiring paperwork nearly complete
“It is very important to me to keep them in a safe place
Some of the homeless people may work or some people may be in the street
but our job is to continue to be generous to them and make sure everybody has a roof over their head,” Kim said
“It’s our mission to care for those in need.”
The plan is to welcome people between 5 a.m
Breakfast and dinner will be offered to anyone looking for a meal
The shelter will have 100 beds for men and 50 beds for women — each separated from the other
Several City Council members and community leaders have championed the decision
calling the shelter a much-needed addition
Those with concerns include the Chamberlayne Industrial Center Association
a group of business owners neighboring the property
“We’re not against the homeless; what we are against is density
So please let’s have an intellectually honest discussion,” association President David Kohler said during the November council meeting
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards on Tuesday announced a grace period in the enforcement of Virginia's renewed ban on electronic skill games often found in gas stations and convenience stores
a housing complex a few blocks east of the shelter
said the complex has had to ask homeless people to leave its common areas and benches designated for residents
There have also been concerns about car theft and fear of break-ins
but it just comes with a lot of other things,” Alston said
“I’m big on you can teach someone to fish and will always have food
The city can’t just give them a place to stay and then just leave them there.”
Bruce Hill owns Grilled Meats & Treats
He told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he’s concerned as well
“I do have a lot of homeless people coming into the restaurant asking for food
and sitting on my tables and benches outside
so this shelter is a concern of mine,” Hill said
“I’m all for them getting the help they need
but the city needs to make sure that it’s operating the right way.”
The Second Street shelter will be operated by HomeAgain
a Richmond-based organization that provides homeless assistance programs
A special-use permit for the project submitted in late September outlines that the shelter will primarily serve families experiencing homelessness and “will not be detrimental to the safety
morals and general welfare of the community.”
a city-run resource center will be added to the building
city staff will provide case-by-case management to help address specific needs of homeless people
Richmond police will provide added security
“It has been made abundantly clear to me that this is a priority for the city of Richmond and
it is a priority for the Richmond Police Department,” said Chief Rick Edwards
focus on this area to see where we see crime pop up and address it as it comes forward.”
The shelter is blocks away from the department’s 4th Precinct headquarters
the communications director for the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity
Her organization runs the Richmond Habitat ReStore near the Chamberlayne Avenue site
It serves as a donation center and provides home improvement goods
“It’s important for people to keep in mind the basic need the shelter is meeting,” Marshall said
“We are grateful that the city can expand shelter capacity near our Northside Habitat ReStore
and we hope it provides helpful resources to members of our community.”
07-12-1961 (cutline): Corner of Second and Grace where Parking Board recommends garage
Garage would have to cover half the block along Second from Grace to Franklin
11-28-1959: Grace Street during busy Christmas shopping day
11-09-1944 (cutline): Pedestrian wades through early morning grime on Grace Street
05-22-1947 (cutline): Traffic congestion in Richmond--The west-bound flow on Grace Street in the evening peak hour
Double parkers at Hotel Richmond sometimes make added confusion
12-13-1959: Rainy day shoppers on Grace St
11-29-1963 (cutline): Downtown traffic--Both pedestrian and vehicular--is heavy despite rainy skies
Pace picked up as rain slackened on traditional first day of Christmas shopping
eholter@timesdispatch.com
Tactical gear donated by Virginia law enforcement agencies has arrived in Israel
The VSU police officer who was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance is now paralyzed from the waist down
This month marks 13 years since a wayward “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” balloon in the Richmond Christmas Parade made international news
This is a developing story from The Times-Dispatch newsroom in Richmond
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000
The rally comes after the city had agreed to hear its workers’ concerns and bargain with them to reach a labor agreement which promises better…
The inmate exhibited sudden symptoms that included incoherence and the inability to stand
according to court filings by federal prosecutors
City considering fines to enforce a crackdown on excessive noise
city officials and community leaders met Thursday morning to announce the on-time o…
Richmond Public School Board member Nicole Jones will represent the City Council’s Ninth District
Richmond is allocating $7 million and Salvation Army is promising $8 million to transform the North Side shelter into the Center of Hope
Sugar's Crab Shack (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
restaurants in and around Chamberlayne have something in common: keeping it blessedly simple
Sugar’s Crab Shack (2224 Chamberlayne Ave.) knows that a deep fryer is the way to customers’ hearts
This walk-up seafood stand may be pricier than you’d think
butterfly shrimp and fried okra — insert praise-hands emoji — make for a perfectly balanced meal
At the charming Los Gauchos (6935 Lakeside Ave.)
a minimal menu keeps the attention on Argentinian empanadas and sandwiches
La Casita (5204 Brook Road) proves a destination for combination platters
Family Secrets (5310 Chamberlayne Ave.) sticks to soul food
and at Pop’s Dogs & Ma’s Burgers (7301 Brook Road)
the tiny burger stand serves up greasy indulgences like bacon-cheese fries and bologna burgers
head to vegan-friendly Vietnamese spot Phoenix Garden (7103 Brook Road)
-- People who live and work along Chamberlayne Avenue on Richmond's Northside are calling for action after a woman died in a hit-and-run over the weekend
It marked the second time a pedestrian was killed by a driver in just over a month
Police said 64-year-old Nancy Johnson was struck Friday night in the 1400 block of Chamberlayne
which is near the intersection at Mitchell Street
Two drivers were involved in the collision
The incident came on the heels of another pedestrian fatality on the same street on October 26
police said the pedestrian was hit while crossing the road in the 2900 block of Chamberlayne
“It's terrible when you got that much traffic and they're going that fast and not looking out for pedestrians," said Todd Alert
As someone who walks up and down the corridor frequently
he said it's not safe for people who walk or bike
“It is dangerous here at night and during the day
they don't care about the speed that they do," Alert said
"Because I've seen some of them do probably 60 to 70 going up Chamberlayne.”
Data from the DMV shows at least other six other crashes involving pedestrians along Chamberlayne in 2022
That's up from three total pedestrian-involved crashes reported in 2021
Barkat Kahn has owned College Mart on the corner of Chamberlayne and Bacon Street for seven years
he said he's witnessed several dangerous encounters including a customer who was hit and killed in the street
I'm going to cross the street.' He never came back," Kahn said
“This Chamberlayne Avenue is very dangerous for us.”
He said his store has also almost been hit by speeding drivers on three separate occasions
“They need to put some sign up here and make it slow down the traffic," Kahn said
Both Kahn and Alert said there are not enough safety measures in place
CBS 6's cameras caught people running halfway to a median in the middle of the road
waiting and then dodging traffic to get to the other side
Residents in the area said that's the norm due to a lack of marked crosswalks
you need more handicaps for the handicapped people to get up on a walkway and sidewalks," Alert said
Kahn agreed and added that people will run back and forth across the busy road to catch the bus
"They need to put something to make it easier so people can cross from the other side because there are two bus stops [on both sides]," Kahn said
said the Northside tragedy escalates the need for action on infrastructure improvements
“Some of the life-saving measures that can be installed along Chamberlayne Avenue include raised crosswalks
and shortening crossing intersections so that pedestrians don't have to walk as far or have to cross as many lanes," Tyndall said
He said there's a concern for pedestrian safety across Richmond
he said there have been eight pedestrian deaths in 2022
That's a 100% increase from 2021 when there were four
He said the city and regional partners have shown "good faith efforts" to improve safety
but it's hard to keep up with the demand created by "bad drivers."
“I think that the city is delivering as fast as it can
but I do think that it's obvious that the traffic fatality numbers are outpacing our efforts," Tyndall said
Tyndall said pedestrian fatalities are up 34%
"I was hoping that the Richmond region would have had better numbers than the state because I think the Vision Zero effort here is worthwhile
it's easy to imagine it being better like we can all be idealists," he said
CBS 6 requested an interview with an official with Richmond's Department of Public Works for updates on safety improvements along Chamberlayne Avenue. In response, a city spokesperson sent over messaging for its Vision Zero program which is a campaign aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries in the city
the city sent over a list of twelve pedestrian safety improvements that have either been completed or are in the works on Chamberlayne
One measure includes a stoplight in the 1400 block of Chamberlayne that was recently installed
Though it's not yet fully functioning and signaling
residents say they're hopeful it will slow down traffic
"This is very important because you're talking about peoples' parents and loved ones," Alert said
"I appreciate you guys coming out here doing this story because if that was my mom or dad
"I'm glad you guys came here," Kahn said to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers
CBS 6 also requested an interview with 3rd District Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert
but Lambert was not available for an interview before the story aired
Here is the list of improvements sent from the city:
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBenjamin Dancy (Source: Richmond Police)RICHMOND
in Richmond will spend the rest of his life in prison
Benjamin Dancy, 51, pleaded guilty in May to killing 44-year-old Della Scott
Her best friend Carolyn Chapman was also stabbed
One official describes the attack as among the most brutal killings he's ever seen
Dancy agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder instead of first-degree murder
He was sentenced to a 40-year term for that charge and 20 years for a malicious wounding charge
but also received life terms for each of two counts of robbery
The sentencing guidelines called for a maximum of 54-and-a-half years in prison
but prosecutors asked the judge to go beyond the recommendations and the judge agreed to give Dancy the life sentences
Bearing the scars that stare back at her in the mirror every day as a constant reminder of the brutal stabbings
Carolyn Chapman stared at Benjamin Dancy as she walked to and from the stand in court Tuesday
"I forgive you.""I wanted him to know that that day he defeated my friend
but not me," Chapman told us in her first television interview since the December incident
"If I didn't do anything else I had to be here to speak for her."
weren't just friends--they were the closest of confidants
Scott was Chapman's maid of honor at her wedding and Chapman is the godmother to Scott's son
it was Chapman who got her friend the job at the apartments about three months before her death."I'll have to live with the fact that every day that it's because of me that she's gone," she lamented
Chapman took us back in time to the moments she and Della fought for their lives."I actually remember him grabbing my face and I remember the very first cut," she recalled
"I can remember laying on the floor bleeding out."
Part of what the judge had to consider is Dancy's criminal history
the prosecutor listed a rap sheet that starts when the defendant was just six-years-old
He was charged with assaulting a 12-year-old with a club
The history includes multiple offenses when Dancy was a juvenile and continues through 2011
The 51-year-old's defense attorney said a difficult upbringing wasn't an excuse
He asked for a punishment within the guidelines and a chance for his client to die outside of prison
Dancy apologized to Chapman and the family of Della Scott
Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12
\"I forgive you.\"\"I wanted him to know that that day he defeated my friend
but not me,\" Chapman told us in her first television interview since the December incident
\"If I didn't do anything else I had to be here to speak for her.\"
it was Chapman who got her friend the job at the apartments about three months before her death.\"I'll have to live with the fact that every day that it's because of me that she's gone,\" she lamented
Chapman took us back in time to the moments she and Della fought for their lives.\"I actually remember him grabbing my face and I remember the very first cut,\" she recalled
\"I can remember laying on the floor bleeding out.\"
Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12
-- A few weeks after Dorothy Leftridge reached out to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers because she and other residents at the Concord Apartments were leery of leaving their home
there are some "exciting" changes in the Northside neighborhood
said residents had trouble crossing the busy intersection at Chamberlayne Avenue and School Street
have fallen multiple times trying to cross the street
That is because of how quick the traffic light changed and the lack of pedestrian signals
"I have attempted to go out there and I've had to rush across the street and I've fallen at least four times," Leftridge said
the post office and a bus stop across the street
she said it is a difficult walk that many of them make multiple times a day
We cannot get to where we need to go safely because of the traffic going so fast," Leftridge explained
Just days after CBS 6 Problem Solver Joi Fultz reached out to Richmond City Councilwoman Anne-Francis Lambert
Leftridge said crews were adjusted the traffic light and added pedestrian walk signals
Leftridge and Fultz recently crossed the street and found the journey much safer
It's exciting to know they can get across the street a lot safer than they did
And I don't have to run to get across the street to catch my bus because of traffic.”
While Leftridge said she feels much safer crossing the street
she urged drivers to slow down and double check the crosswalk before turning
The Salvation Army bought the former Eternity Church property at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave
A plan to increase emergency shelter capacity at locations in Northside and downtown passed Richmond City Council this week
over the objections of Chamberlayne Avenue-area businesses that are looking to file an injunction to stop it
The approvals are first steps in what councilmembers have described as a larger, long-term plan to increase capacity across the city with potentially a shelter in each of its nine magisterial districts. A third location is in the works at 10 E
The plan includes establishing a housing crisis center at the Chamberlayne facility
which will be operated by Salvation Army and serve as a point of entry for people to seek homelessness services through the regional Greater Richmond Continuum of Care services network
The location served as the city’s IWS last year
The arrangement adds 100 beds to the roughly 50 that Salvation Army already offers there
It also will see the city provide $7 million toward the nonprofit’s planned $15 million rehab to turn the building into its planned Center of Hope
Funding assistance would also be provided to homeless services group HomeAgain
which would operate the 50-bed shelter planned at the Second Street hostel building
The former HI Richmond Hostel building at 7 N
Businesses and property owners around the Salvation Army site have maintained that the plan to increase capacity there was not shared with them before they learned about it from a report in BizSense in October
“We have unfortunately just learned of this ordinance a couple of weeks ago
so the process here is new and there’s not one single member in our association who agrees with this ordinance,” said Dave Kohler
president of the Chamberlayne Industrial Center Association
which he said represents 100 businesses in the area that employ 1,000 people
Kohler noted the city’s investment nearly a decade ago to develop the VUU/Chamberlayne Neighborhood Plan
which envisioned the area within and around the Chamberlayne
Lombardy Street and Brook Road crossroads as a pedestrian-friendly
Dave Kohler addresses council during Monday’s hearing
We started seeing a lot of people coming over from the outpriced Scott’s Addition
“It’s not that we’re against homeless; all we want is to have the community involved in this,” Kohler said
Half of our constituents have basically given up because of a lack of trust.”
At a committee meeting last week
Kohler told councilmembers that if the plan went forward
the association would file an injunction to stop it
having retained Kutak Rock attorney Jeremy Williams
a representative confirmed to BizSense that the association is pursuing legal action
Business owners have maintained that they weren’t properly notified of the plan, adding that the increase in capacity is twice the amount of beds that they had pushed back against when Salvation Army sought a special-use permit for more beds when it moved its HQ from downtown in 2020
City leaders have said the plan has been presented at public meetings and that time is of the essence to establish the ICW by Dec
Council approved the plan as part of the meeting’s consent agenda
typically reserved for routine and non-controversial business that is voted on as a block
whose Third District includes the Chamberlayne site
said she’d asked that the shelter items be moved to the regular agenda in light of the opposition
but was voted down in council’s informal meeting earlier that day
Council President Michael Jones called for order and told Lambert that her colleagues had agreed to keep the matter on the consent agenda
our businesses can feel at ease,” Lambert said
I said to administration that a lot of these questions need to be addressed before Monday
Ann-Frances Lambert during Monday’s meeting
We have to work together on this,” she said
we want this to be the model for other districts
we need to make sure we have a lot of the parameters in place.”
a deputy chief administrative officer over the human services department
told council that the city was addressing stated concerns with standard operating procedures for the Chamberlayne shelter
working with the public works and police departments to address litter and security
and establishing a liaison for the city and Salvation Army to communicate with businesses
Police Chief Rick Edwards added that his department would make regular visits to the facility
receive weekly updates from the nearby Fourth Precinct and place cameras and mobile light trailers as needed
“It’s been made abundantly clear to me that this is a priority for the city
therefore it’s a priority for the Richmond Police Department,” Edwards said
“The Chamberlayne Industrial Center has several challenges with property crime at this time
That is something that we will be focusing on
Adding that the department can improve documentation of trespassers on private properties
“It’s just a matter of our focus to understand that this is a priority
and we intend to assist to make it successful.”
who works for the Virginia Department of Social Services
stressed the amount of time and energy put into the plan and took issue with arguments that it was being forced on constituents
Stating that the city had been working for years on a long-term shelter solution, since the closure of the Commonwealth Catholic Charities location in 2020 that served as the previous point of entry
This was two years in the making of playing human Tetris with human lives trying to find a location that would take these individuals in their backyard.”
Fifth District Councilmember Stephanie Lynch remarks on the shelter plan at Monday’s council meeting
Noting that she offered two locations in her district that ended up not working out long-term
because the administration kept on going back to the drawing board
not doing back-door deals but being very open about who wanted to participate
who is a high-quality provider that wanted to offer these wraparound services and this inclement weather shelter to our unhoused individuals
we have been put under scrutiny not only from our other members of the community
but even our own nonprofit partners who called our plan wildly inadequate and misinformed
But we have stuck by that plan and we continue to stick by that plan,” she said
it’s about sending a very clear message to our people of Richmond that you have not been forgotten
that even just because you don’t have a district or you’ve been evicted
I’m not clear on what the Chamberlayne Industrial Center wants to accomplish aside from delaying the shelter to the point that it doesn’t happen
They also seem to believe people who will use the shelter are inherently problematic
whereas it’s just as likely they’re a recently evicted family with kids
The city clearly has a great need for shelter space and I like the idea of each district having a shelter
I think the issue is not so much whether they are ALL problematic…
there’s a reason that cities don’t tend to put these things in the best parts of town
I remember when I was in Philadelphia and there were a bunch of rich people from the suburbs coming down to feed homeless in Love Park and it drove the local business people NUTS
and they were even threatening to Feed the Homeless in
the business owners are correct from their point of view — lots of… Read more »
“It’s not that we’re against homeless”
Sure you are…otherwise you wouldn’t have had to state such a disclaimer
It has been needlessly delayed for decades
but they are finally coming up with a plan that will work and are no longer cowed by NIMBYism
There’s currently 50 beds in the facility on Chamberlayne
Northside is already doing its part to shelter homeless individuals
City council claims this is a well thought out plan (to add another 100 beds to the site) that’s been several years in the making… but where are the shelters that were recommended for other districts
Richmond you’ve had years to implement your plan to have a shelter in each district
but instead you’ve decided to concentrate your capacity in Northside
Chamberlayne and BPB revitalization has underperform based on municipal neglect
What are the city’s plans to provide activities and support… Read more »
have you read the articles on this topic and are you familiar with the GRTC routes in Northside
The City has plans to support those at this facility and The Salvation Army is a big part of it
which is why they’re expanding at this specific location
Chamberlayne Ave is well connected via existing mass transit and there are plans to create a North/South Pulse route that would likely go through here
I’d also note that a good share of our homeless population likely lives close to here as people are pushed out of homes in Northside given all… Read more »
Just FYI the hostel is in the 6th District is for 50 beds but just across from the 2nd (the line is 2nd Street itself) and the southside shelter location will be around 50 beds in the 9th just down from its border with the 5th District
And Councilmember Lynch is still working to get one into the 5th (north of the river) and talks are for another one in Southside
I know some don’t believe it but Stephanie will KEEP pushing for more space
And the increase of person at Chamberlayne is for the inclement weather shelter not a… Read more »
Going through attorneys is clear sign you are against it
Jonathan quoted Andreas Addison and Ann-Frances Lambert correctly on their goal of having shelters in every district
but they were simplyl painting the lily for those who oppose 1900 Chamberlayne Ave
It would cost more money than the city and most of council are ready to invest in homeless services
That the two council members even voiced such a goal speaks more to their being defensive about the use of 1900 Chamberlayne than in actually finding a solution
The city has plans to lease space in South Side to expand to increase capacity if needed
When you say that you want these shelters in every district in the city you are advertising to people outside the city to come in and that you will take care of them
This takes resources away from the city and it’s tax payers
Even if we put 50 permanent beds in every district
That is less than the number of homeless people currently living in Richmond
We don’t need “free” housing to attract unhoused individuals
The goal of these shelters is to keep them safe
Or having the few possessions they have stolen
Japan goes to some length to provide a LOT to the homeless
but the social contract is that you stay FAR AWAY from the places where people want to live
many homeless don’t want to go to the shelters because they don’t think their few belongings will be safe THERE — and often they
don’t enjoy the company of other homeless people — some are even afraid of going to the shelters
I am curious that Stepanie Lynch states “Noting that she offered two locations in her district that ended up not working out long-term”
She is my councilperson and I have not heard anything about them
I think the point of this article is TRANSPARENCY
You should not have to dig and dig to find this information
As a fourth generation family business owner
Kohler is not against the homeless population as a whole; he is representing all the business owners and employees in the area
The City had a different plan all together for that area
Chief Edwards seems to want to help the businesses
that’s the sole purpose of the police chief
It’s pretty clear Mr Kohler and the CIC didn’t pay attention when the zoning was changed and they are only aiming to delay this much needed capacity increase for the cold weather shelter
Ultimately the CIC should focus on seeking improvements for pedestrians and traffic safety
The streets are still too wide and people drive too fast
which makes the area less inviting much more so than this shelter ever will impact things
The Chamberlayne Industrial Center Association may be better off looking for a PR firm than a lawyer
so the chances of them stopping this are beyond low
If I was doing business with their members right now
Other things are a “bad look” as well
With the number of public school enrollments going down in the City of Richmond
why not consolidate these shelters in excess schools
it would cause some hardship for some families to consolidate various half empty schools but a school or two converted to homeless shelters sure could handle a large group of folks
In the part of Fairfax County I grew up in
Due to demographics and housing costs pricing young families out of the market
The remaining 7 elementary schools… Read more »
Only in gov’ment does it take years and years to not come up with a permanent solution
If it was not for politics and citizen input they could do things much quicker
The job of a government worker is extremely hard because
in addition to people insulting them simply because of where they work
they have to balance many different factors to get the a result that can work