19 Responses to “The Blight on Idlewood Avenue: part 1”

1. posted by bijan at August 25, 2009 2:46 pm [#]:
   

   try reporting to the city on-line

   http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/citizensrequest/frmNewEntryType.asp

   However, because of our current ecomonic situation the city will do nothing. I know this because I have reported the vacant property next to me (tall grass, the city has fined them and ordered a work citation, but the inspector told me not to hold by breath. He mentioned that the property will be cut by the city hopefully by the end of the year.

2. posted by Tamisha L. at August 25, 2009 2:57 pm [#]:
   

   Who owns Winthrop Hall? Is it currently empty? Abandoned? What was it used for originally?

   I’m more than glad to do my part and report it and add my voice to help pressure the city to get it cleaned up. I’d like to see it occupied and useful even more than that.

3. posted by john m at August 25, 2009 4:01 pm [#]:
   

   That’s the old John B. Cary Elementary School…

   

   Here is the DHR application for the building if you’re into that kind of thing.

   From the RPS history page:

   The building was occupied in September 1913 as a replacement for Sidney School. It was renamed West End School when the new Cary School opened in September 1954; the pupils were transferred to the new Cary and Fox.

   This school was originally called John B. Cary; when it became a school for Negro pupils in September 1954, it was renamed for the section of the city known as the West End.

   Mechanical improvements and building alterations were made in 1965.

   Under Plan III, West End was paired with Fox. West End was discontinued as an elementary school in 1976, due primarily to the displacement of many homes by freeway construction.

   The building housed the Adult Accelerated Learning Center (AALEC) from 1976-84 and Franklin Military School from 1984-86.

   West End was declared surplus to the City, March 18, 1987. In September 1989, the School Board asked the City to “stay action” on disposal of the building as it might be needed for school purposes; it was subsequently released to the City on November 20, 1989.

4. posted by Liberty at August 25, 2009 4:38 pm [#]:
   

   developers like to turn old schools into apartments. this one is an unlikely candidate becasue its location is near public housing and these areas are usually looked at as undesirable to develop. They could always put a wall around it to make it more secure. Maybe a developer will risk it, or the govt. will come up with another excellent idea for the building.

5. posted by Scott Burger at August 25, 2009 5:33 pm [#]:
   

   How much SHOULD the City get for it?

6. posted by Leslie at August 25, 2009 8:28 pm [#]:
   

   Based on information from the last civic league meeting I attended, this building is currently owned by a company in Arizona which formerly operated an assisted living/nursing home in the building. The home was shut down due to lack of compliance with standards governing the care of the elderly residents. Apparently, it was a good thing that the home was shut down, but now the company is neglecting the care of the building and the property. Correct me if I’m wrong, anyone…

7. posted by jasonguard at August 25, 2009 11:02 pm [#]:
   

   I’m glad to see this issue getting some attention. If only we had more information. Maybe that will come from the first person who gets our elected rep on the phone. The last rumor I heard was that it was going to be converted to a residential psychiatric hospital, perhaps by the same owners. But, that was a while back and thru the grapevine. What I do know is that someone is keeping the lights on at night… (roll Twilight Zone music).

8. posted by laptopmnky at August 26, 2009 4:58 pm [#]:
   

   Is the information from the City’s online property assessment tool accurate? This is what I got (links at the end):

   OWNER: 2100 IDLEWOOD AVENUE, LP
   PROPERTY CLASS DESCRIPTION: R Assisted Living (Licensed)
   LAND USE DESCRIPTION: Institutional
   LAND VALUE: 600,000
   IMPROVEMENT VALUE: 5,825,000
   TOTAL VALUE: 6,425,000

   This property: http://bit.ly/OTL3e
   Property search tool: http://bit.ly/Jkjse

9. posted by Michael D at August 27, 2009 2:08 pm [#]:
   

   Just to add the property was sold and given a special use permit to the owner of the nursing home. With the vacancy entering its 2nd year the special use permit is no longer valid. It is zoning reverts back (as does its use) to the neighborhood which is R-6.

   Anyone want a really BIG new home. There are no plan of any kind pending with the City; you can check any building online now.

   Citizen complaints can get the graffiti removed and property cleaned but it can stay like this for an enternity if the owner keeps paying his taxes.

   Permit #Z07022809 Details
   Permit Type: Zoning
   Permit Status: Completed
   Applied For: 2/28/2007
   Issued: 4/13/2007
   Applicant: Stephen J. Staats

   Parcel Owner: 2100 Idlewood Avenue, Lp
   Permit Address: 2100 Idlewood Ave
   Richmond, VA 23220
   Map Ref. Number: W0000938001 [Parcel Details]

   Type Of Work: No Work Authorized
   Cost Of Work: $0.00
   Plans Reviewed?: No
   Code Reviewed Under:
   Year of Code:
   Modifications Granted: N/A

   Project Number:
   Completed: 4/13/2007
   Expires:
   Business Trade Name: Stephen J. Staats

   Contractor: Tenant
   Contractor Address:

   Contractor License: N/A
   Contractor Phone:

   Construction Type:
   Proposed Building Use: NU – No Use Sanctioned, Vacant
   Certificate of Occupancy: Not Required
   Level of Renovation:
   Sprinklered: N/A

   Modifications:

   Proposed Work: Request For Zoning Confirmation Letter

10. posted by john b. at August 29, 2009 4:19 pm [#]:
    

    Does anyone have a gas-powered weed-wacker that I could borrow to clean up the sidewalk?

11. posted by Scott Burger at September 1, 2009 12:08 pm [#]:
    

    If I had won the Mega Millions I might have considered making it into my personal castle- with solar on the roof, of course.

12. posted by Nelson Courser at September 1, 2009 5:57 pm [#]:
    

    Forget about calling/emailing M Jewell – he does not respond to anything has been my experience. And no I do not vote for him at election time either. The only way to get the problem resolved is to continuously badger the City (mayor’s office)about the property – perhaps the property owner. It is an eye sore and getting worse. The building/property maybe historic but tear it down is an remedy and sell the land.

13. posted by Scott Burger at September 3, 2009 9:28 am [#]:
    

    Nelson, you are right about Jewell, though I would like to see the building saved if possible.

14. posted by Eric at September 3, 2009 10:33 am [#]:
    

    Guys let me introduce you to google…
    google:Stephen J. Staats — gets
    http://www.vlshomes.com/brokers/good/aboutus.htm?executive=sstaats

15. posted by Gman at September 7, 2009 10:12 pm [#]:
    

    Interesting… Stephen Staats used to be involved with Goodstein Development. They’re the ones that announced Centennial Tower downtown at 5th and Main, demoed most of the block, and then could not follow through.

16. posted by Michael D. at October 19, 2009 5:22 pm [#]:
    

    I want to pass along that we might have some news coming on the site. I will pass it along but right now it is still being addressed.

17. posted by john b. at November 10, 2009 4:19 pm [#]:
    

    I’m pleased to note that the property is currently being maintained and there have been workers around the building doing repairs for the past 3 weeks. Hopefully this means that there will soon be positive movement on the property.

18. posted by Byrd Park » That Big Empty Building on Idlewood is for Sale - Richmond, Virginia at January 19, 2010 6:32 pm [#]:
    

    [...] over the 2100 blocks of Idlewood and Grayland Avenues, is now up for sale. The unoccupied building has been deteriorating for months. The owner is Stephen J. Staats, a real estate developer who made headlines in 1997 when he bought [...]

19. posted by Deirdre at February 6, 2010 2:47 pm [#]:
    

    Does anyone have any updates pertaining to this property? Is Stephen Staats still the listed owner of the property?

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