Aug. 28 Newsletter: Greening Scott's Addition
Weather: Will it rain? With a 40% chance, the answer is, "it might." High of 86.
On this date in 1964, sixty people were arrested at Cary and Rowland streets in what the Times-Dispatch described as “one of the biggest vice raids in recent years.” Hundreds of bottles of whiskey were found in the home.
Coming to Scott’s Addition: Bike-ped paths and a little more green
For a decade, Scott’s Addition has been the closest thing to a concrete jungle Richmond has. Now planners are hoping a set of new projects could soften its edges.
- A new bike and pedestrian path will ultimately be paved and connect with the Diamond District and the Pulse bus line.
- Longtime residents are selling their land to a conservancy to create a small park.
“We’re trying to catch up with infrastructure that is appropriate for the changing mixture of uses,” said Councilor Katherine Jordan. Read more here.
Amazon shares details on drone delivery as it seeks final approvals in Richmond area
The company is seeking the final approvals for the service and hopes to launch by the end of the year, with the ability to deliver packages in less than an hour.
Prime members will pay $2.99 for drone deliveries on purchases of less than $50. Delivered items have to weigh 5 pounds or less and fit inside of a large shoebox. Read more, and see if you're inside the delivery area, here.
New groups will lobby for 1% sales tax increase, as school districts aren’t allowed to themselves
Increasing the sales tax by 1% to fund school construction and maintenance will be a major issue on ballots across the state in November, as more than 20 localities have opted into a newly-authorized referendum.
Richmond, Chesterfield and Powhatan will all have the increase on the ballot, but state laws prohibit the localities from lobbying for its passage with taxpayer money. New groups are stepping into that void, locally and statewide. Read more here.
- Sophomore QB finds a groove in Manchester's season-opening win
- The Lancers' defense shut out Monacan on opening night of the season.
- At Benedictine, a new class prepares to chase a fourth straight football title
- Top players include QB Ralphie Puccinelli, a UR commit, and tight end Sam Faniel, who will play for Virginia Tech.
Regina Chaney fights for fairness in housing
For 42 years, Regina Chaney has lived and breathed housing advocacy in Virginia.
When she retired from Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia last October, she was the organization's longest-tenured employee. Her goal through the decades remained the same: to provide information about legal options, housing rights and more to families in her community and the state.
"If I could help somebody understand what their rights are, I'm gonna be there," she said. Read more here.
In other news
- Chesterfield postpones vote on using data center money to lower car tax rate
- Attendees said the county didn’t give residents enough time to learn about the proposal and provide feedback before the board was scheduled to vote.
- State begins demolition of Pocahontas complex downtown; under contract to sell 26-story Monroe tower (Richmond BizSense)
- The state is planning a replacement office tower at the corner of East Broad and North 14th streets.
- Henrico residents decry county’s Flock Safety cameras (VPM)
- The county’s active contract with Flock Safety runs through Nov. 14.
The editor's desk
Election season is underway in the 6th District after a school board candidate forum last night. The Richmonder and VPM will be co-hosting a debate on Sept. 17; look for details in Monday's newsletter.
Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org
Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.
Do you enjoy The Richmonder? Join us as a donor and we'll send you a hat or mug!
