This might be a one-time thing. I got my graphic designer wife to convert the PDF version of the June 2010 Byrd Park Civic League newsletter into a JPG so you could see it as a picture. If you want to get on the their email list and receive this in an easier to read format, email them at bpclrva(at)gmail(dot)com.
The remaining three pages after the jump.

Read more >

From the Byrd Park Civic League (full detailed agenda after the jump):

BPCL Meeting: June 8th 7:00 pm at the Roundhouse

Additional Guests:

Scott Jones from Sally Bell’s

Ms. Celestine Hicks from Winthrop Manor Assisted Living Facility (Idlewood)

Comments are coming in about Sally Bell’s arrival at Fountain Lake (sorry for my persistent butchering of the spelling). Also, we previously speculated on and then confirmed some details of Winthrop Manor’s sale. See here for details. Of course, first hand account and future plans will likely be offered at the BPCL meeting by Ms. Hicks.

Read more >

A new duplex is set to be built next to 2000 Lakeview Ave.  Members of the Byrd Park Civic League (BPCL) took an interest in the planning process and will be continuing their communication with the developer, Mr. Gordon Estrada, at an open meeting at the Roundhouse on the Monday, March 15th, at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to discuss the design of the new
duplex, BPCL encourages neighborhood residents to come and voice your design opinion if you wish.

From a BPCL member:

The developer does currently have approval from BPCL, and consequently the City of Richmond, to proceed with their plan to build the duplex.  however, they wish to keep us involved and work with us to make sure they remain in good standing with the community.  Any suggestions you bring to the table should be in a positive and progressive format.  The current design proposal is very similar to the homes found on the adjacent block (2100 block) of Lakeview Avenue.

Here”s a progress report from Leslie Hartman, a Byrd Park neighbor who’s been working with the community to establish a public garden. This is NOT the same effort as the one that is getting off the ground at the Virginia Home with the help of the Byrd Park Civic League.  Leslie does a great job differentiating these two projects – a handy update to help you figure out where you might like to pitch in.  Also, feel free to offer input in the comments section (or to Leslie by email: ltomandlhartman@yahoo.com)

Hello there, gardening aficionados,

I know it’s been awhile since you heard from me. You may have assumed that I or this community garden idea fell off the map. Fortunately, neither one has happened! Here is an update to let you know the status of things and the feedback I would like from you to help us move forward: Since we last met/communicated by email, I have been searching for an appropriate site for our garden, with limited success.

Here are the possible sites I have pursued:

1. Land owned by Sixth Baptist Church, either behind or adjacent to the West End Market. After two phone conversations and many unreturned messages, I think it is fair to say that Pastor Bibbs at 6th Baptist is not interested in a community garden on church property. During our last conversation (7/13/09), she told me the church is planning to build a community gym and recreation center on their property, but they are at least 8-10 months out from this plan. She also said they never incur debt for their building projects, always raising the money first and then paying cash. They had no specific plans for the property and rec center drawn up by an architect at the time of our last conversation, so Dr. Bibbs was understandably unwilling to commit any land to a community garden.

Read more >

35-40 people attended the most recent Byrd Park Civic League meeting, but only 15 people signed in.  For future notice, membership is not required for attendance and attendees who sign in get added to the BPCL email list (very very low traffic – not an email burden at all). Here are some highlights of the 2/13 Byrd Park Civic League Meeting, provided by BPCL President, Kim Mullooly…

Read more >

The upcoming meeting of the Byrd Park Civic League (BPCL) will feature two guests.  Sherry Williams from The Virginia Home will talk about community garden possibilities and there will also be someone on hand to talk about graffiti removal.  In addition to these topics, there will be updates from those who attended Marty Jewell’s 5th District meeting.  The BPCL meeting will take place at 10am on Saturday, February 13th, at the Roundhouse building in Byrd Park, near Fountain Lake.  Everyone is welcome. Membership is NOT required for attendance.

Read more >

Residents of Byrd Park have been on the edge of their seats for some time about the future of the old Bus Barn at Robinson and Cary.  Now that RRHA has control of the property, it is expected that there will be some public and/or governmental deliberation before a private entity purchases it for their own purposes.  Just what those purposes will be is a matter of much speculation.  For anyone interested in the latest details, the next BPCL meeting is the place to be (UPDATE: RRHA rep will not attend BPCL’s meeting until April).  Even if you can’t attend, you can make your voice heard here.  Below, I will post some of the ideas I’ve heard debated.  Please feel free to expound in the comments section.

Read more >

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

A letter by the outgoing Byrd Park Civic League president, posted below, calls for an influx of participation and new membership to resuscitate the organization after a recent hiatus. At the October 10th BPCL meeting, officers need to be elected to continue the organization’s mission of  “addressing issues affecting our unique and special neighborhood in the Byrd Park neighborhood located in and surrounding William Byrd Park.”

Dear Byrd Park neighbors:

Last April I had a serious heart attack and informed my fellow officers I needed to take a hiatus from the duties of League president.  I did not intend this to mean a shutdown of all League activities.  Since then there have been no newsletters, and the two previously scheduled meetings did not take place.  The next meeting of the Civic League is scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at 10 am at the Roundhouse.  The sole purpose of the meeting will be the election of new officers.  I will not be running for re-election.  I worked hard for the six months I served as president and deeply regret seeing that
come to nothing.

I will not attempt to resuscitate the lapsed newsletter.  This email, limited as it is, and another to follow shortly before the event, will be the only notification of this meeting other than word of mouth, so please spread the word to interested neighbors who may not be on this email list.

I’m sending this email out now, so that those who might be interested in providing leadership for whatever future the League may have, will have time to weigh their options.

Sincerely,

Dennis Danvers
President, Byrd Park Civic League

Click here to view the April Newsletter.