The latest Style Weekly features a back page article by a couple who reside in Byrd Park, Adria Scharf and Thad Williamson. Adria Scharf is executive director of the Richmond Peace Education Center. Thad Williamson is an assistant professor of leadership studies at the University of Richmond.  Although the article focuses on Gilpin Court, it addresses public housing issues that are certainly relevant to the Byrd Park, Randolph, and Maymont neighborhoods.

Here is an excerpt from the piece, titled, “Evicting the Poor”:

Simply put, deconcentrating poverty isn’t the same thing as ending poverty. You cannot end poverty by reshuffling low-income households around like pieces on a chess board. The way to end poverty is to expand the economic opportunities — jobs, training and education — available to poor people.

If a redevelopment plan truly expands the economic opportunities available to public-housing residents then it might make for a morally justifiable policy. But removing people from their homes without their consent and without a clear plan about where they should go does little to end poverty. It’s possible to make Gilpin Court a nicer place without actually helping the people who live there.

That’s why it’s worrisome that the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has not guaranteed one-for-one unit replacement as part of its ambitious plans to redevelop the area. The authority’s plan, unveiled last winter, calls for transforming the area into a mixed-income neighborhood to be renamed North Jackson Ward. While the plan calls for increasing the number of housing units in the neighborhood, at most 30 percent would be set aside for public-housing residents. That means a maximum of 600 public housing units will be part of the new development, compared with 983 units today — and the housing authority plans to rescreen current residents, which advocates argue will serve to prevent many households from returning.

Where will the other people go?

To read the article by Williamson and Scharf in its entirety, follow this link to Style Weekly. If you see Adria and Thad around the neighborhood with their daughter Sahara, introduce yourself and chat them up about their latest published work. If there are other projects by Byrd Park residents that should be shared here, please get in touch using the Contact Us feature on this site.

Will Jones, over at RTD published this piece on Friday about the future of the GRTC property at 101 S. Davis Ave. The article deals mainly with the question of who will be in charge of overseeing the development of the bus barn. Whatever happens, a charrette should be in order.

[Richmond Mayor] Jones wants the 6.8-acre site to go to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for private development guided by the city through a review of proposals…

“We think it’s important that the property be sold at fair market price and those resources be used to enhance the quality of public transportation in the region,” he said.

The property, at 101 S. Davis Ave., has been appraised at more than $5 million but could require substantial environmental cleanup.

[City Councilman Bruce W.] Tyler said he sees no reason for the city and RRHA to play a prominent role in the site’s future. He said the city has a poor record of guiding development and cited several projects, including the city-requested and now-withdrawn proposal offered by Kreckman’s firm for a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom.

Tyler said the city would be able to control whatever happens on the GRTC site because the council’s approval would likely be needed for any development.

GRTC is expected to vacate the property by early December when it moves to a new operations and maintenance center on Belt Boulevard in South Richmond. Lewis said no sale offers are pending, and there’s no timetable for a decision.

Melissa Savenko has her own opinion over at her Richmond Real Estate Review.

Should RRHA have authority over this parcel?

A call to all Byrd Parkers:

Dear Neighbors,

This email is a reminder that the Byrd Park Civic League will meet October 10th at the Roundhouse at 10 am.

The agenda will consist of the election of officers and the future of the League.

We will not be distributing the usual paper newsletter, so please mark your calendars and spread the word to interested neighbors who may not be on this email list.

I always receive queries about changing the meeting time or date.  The date and time for this meeting was determined far in advance, and the Roundhouse reserved.  I regret that it conflicts with the the Richmond Folk Festival (and many other fun activities as well), but it can’t be helped.

The officers are president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.  If anyone (including the current holders of those offices) wishes to stand for any of these offices, or wishes to nominate someone, please let me know.  I definitely will be stepping down.

If anyone wishes to place any other items on the agenda, please let me know.

All best,

Dennis Danvers
President, Byrd Park Civic League

Posted on Sunday, Oct. 11th on Craigslist:

We found a small white dog on Kemper street in Randolph west. He had a shock collar on but no tags. We’ve been taking care of him but are going to call SPCA or animal control tomorrow. Please give me a call if your dog is missing. Ask for Nick. 8608367294.

According to the Richmond Police Department, E. Martin Jewell, best known as “Marty,” was stopped while driving near Byrd Park at 1:30am on Saturday.  The 5th district councilman was charged with driving under the influence and held overnight.  A full report has not been released at this time.

Police photo, taken while in custody.

Jewell was also in the news in recent months when his nephew was charged in a shooting on the Virginia Union University campus.  Marty built his reputation in Richmond on a record of civic advocacy and social justice work.  Since his election in 2004, Jewell was often Mayor Doug Wilder’s lone ally on council, reversing many of his previously held progressive stances.  He has three years remaining on his current term in office.

The Byrd Park Civic League met last night. Here is a letter from BPCL president, Kim Mullooly:

Hello Neighbors,

Last night the board of the Byrd Park Civic League met to get started on the business facing the new board… We hope to have more information to come but first of all we know that we need to improve the relationships we have with our community leaders.

I am pleased to let you know that we are working on the Bylaws for the BPCL and if all goes well we should have these ready to adopt at the next meeting on December 12th. I would like to thank Albert Boyd for being present at the last meeting and bringing this issue to the forefront of the board. It will not only help our organization have a direction but define the duties of the board and membership.

Between now and December 12^th we are going to beef up our efforts to increase the membership in the BPCL. There will be a door to door effort to get this done and we will be depending on block captains and any other residents who want to be involved. But until we have the forms ready to distribute to the neighborhood the least I can do is remind everyone that our fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30 and dues are made out to the Byrd Park Civic League and sent to Toni Cooper, 503 South Davis #8, Richmond 23220. Household memberships are $15.00 and individual memberships are $10.00. So please take the first step and renew or join the league we need the funds to continue the league and improve the conditions of our neighborhood.

Don’t forget our next meeting is December 12^th 10am-noon at the roundhouse. I hope to see everyone there.

Want to join the Byrd Park Civic League? Send your dues to Toni Cooper, 503 South Davis #8, Richmond 23220. Household memberships are $15 and individual memberships are $10