Tag Archives: vcu

November Randolph Neighborhood Association (RNA) meeting highlights

1. Mr. Sean Miller, VP of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club, discussed the pending sale of 1301 Winder Street, expressing his desire to see this building benefit the Randolph community. He indicated that various entities have inquired about the property, including VCU. However, this option is not currently being considered. Rev. Michael Moore of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church was present and indicated that his congregation is currently exploring the purchase of the property. This is one possible location they’ve considered as they seek to expand their ministry efforts in the Randolph neighborhood. Councilman Agelasto and Mr. Thad Williamson (the director of the Office of Community Wealth Building) were also present, suggesting possible uses similar to that of the Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton.

2. Councilman Agelasto and 5th District liaison, Ida Jones provided updates regarding the Idlewood roundabout, the 5th District Holiday Party (Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 pm at the VA War Memorial), and the construction of a new entrance at Maymont. Regarding the roundabout, the project’s current plans have been sent back to the UDC due to some small design changes. It will need to go before the planning commission one last time to receive final approval. Sidewalk improvements along Idlewood near the roundabout have been included in the final plan.

3. On behalf the Johannas Design Group, Mrs. Johannas, came to answer questions about Tribeca: Phase 2. Mrs. Johannas explained why the project is likely to attract owner-occupants and addressed parking concerns. She also indicated that construction is slated to start in December 2014. Because the project did not require rezoning, it did not have to go before the planning commission.

4. Mr. Larry Davis of Randolph Community Center introduced himself as the new program director. Mr. Davis runs the “outside of school” program where kids are introduced to the arts, receive help with their homework, have access to the gym, and participate in healthy lifestyle initiatives.

5. Officer Marshall of the RPD gave updates regarding crime (an overall decrease from last year) and reminded neighbors to be cautious about leaving items in their cars and leaving packages on their porch.

6. Officer Felton of VCU indicated that their has been 4 evictions in the Randolph neighborhood and that they are working on several more. One of these evictions led to a sizable confiscation of drugs. Residents were thankful for these efforts.

7. Tito Luna of VCU introduced residents to the office of Institutional Equity and Community Engagement. They are looking to do a survey on VCU’s impact on the surrounding community.  Dr. Peyton McCoy, the RNA’s VCU liaison, will be reaching out to residents with more information.

8. RVA Clean Sweep plans to clean Grayland Avenue on Dec 6 in light of all of the leaves. Be sure to sign up for the event on Nextdoor!

Thomas Square receives a major facelift

Due to the lack of funding for park maintenance in the city’s budget (as recently noted by our friends in Byrd Park), the City of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Rec, and Community Facilities, the Department of Public Works, RVA Clean Sweep, the Randolph Neighborhood Association, and the Richmond Tree Stewards worked to bring about a much needed overhaul at Thomas Square, a public space that anchors the northeastern part of the Randolph neighborhood.

From start to finish, the project took about three weeks and there is still some minor clean up work to be done. On Saturday, October 4, residents from the Randolph community worked with staff members from the City of Richmond, local nonprofits (noted above), and several dozen college volunteers (consisting of UR’s Bonner Scholars ProgramVCU’s RUF campus ministry, and VCU students from the neighborhood) to remove overgrown bushes, plant new trees, and do some light repairs on benches and signs. To close out the day, Dr. Peyton McCoy, Ms. Ethel Johnston and Ms. Lala Williams spoke to the students about the history of the Randolph neighborhood and encouraged them to collaborate with long-time residents to promote positive change in the area. (Before and after photos can be found below.) The weather was beautiful and many residents expressed a tremendous amount of gratitude when the work was finished.

BEFORE: 

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DURING: 

photo 3

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AFTER: 

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Johannas Design Group releases conceptual drawings

On August 25, 2014 the David Johannas Design group hosted a special meeting for property owners who live within roughly 500-600 feet of the proposed second phase of the Tribeca Brownstone project to discuss their concerns. Councilman Agelasto and Denise Vice from the RRHA were present.

In preparation for the RNA meeting on September 15, Mr. Johannas provided conceptual drawings of the plans (see below).

Overall, neighbors have expressed concerns that the new project will usher in more transient student renters who lack a strong track record of contributing to the long-term interests and well-being of the community.

Any additional questions or concerns can be addressed to Mr. Johannas directly at 804.358.4993 or dave [at] johannasdesign.com.

Conceptual Drawings

2014 house designs-Arch D (24 x 36) presentation

2014 house designs-Arch D (24 x 36) presentation (2)

 

 

VCU to test emergency communication systems (9/3)

From William R. Decatur, Vice President for Finance & Administration:

To the VCU and VCU Health System communities:

Like all institutions of higher education, VCU faces a variety of threats and hazards that may impact the quality of life on campus. As such, VCU is committed to supporting a wide variety of emergency alerting technologies that will help distribute emergency information in a timely and effective manner. As a comprehensive approach, these various technologies help inform the VCU community of the necessary and prudent protective actions.

At noon on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014, VCU will conduct a full test of the emergency communications and alerting systems. This test is conducted to validate the readiness of these systems and to educate the VCU community to campus emergency preparedness activities.

The full test of the system will include sirens, text messages, alertus boxes, mass email, digital signs, social media and VCU website information, which are all part of a multichannel system for communicating emergency information to VCU students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community.

The following list contains more information about each of these alerting technologies:

Outdoor sirens
: In a real emergency, the 10 sirens on the Monroe Park and MCV campuses will sound for four minutes to signal that an immediate, life-threatening emergency has occurred or may be imminent. The purpose of the siren is to alert people outside of campus buildings to immediately seek secure shelter and to receive additional information. No all clear siren is utilized.

Text Messages
: These messages will be short protective action statements that will contain a link to alert.vcu.edu where additional information will be located. VCU students, faculty and staff may subscribe to VCU Alert text messaging through the main VCU login screen used to log in to services such as the myVCU Portal, student email and the forthcoming faculty and staff Google-powered apps for VCU.

If the system recognizes you as having recently signed up for the text messaging service, you will be passed through to the service you were logging into. Otherwise, you will be asked to sign up again for emergency text messages with your VCU eID.

Parents and community members also may sign up for VCU’s text message alert system to receive information about campus emergencies and cancellations.

Alertus
: These small yellow devices are strategically installed in classrooms, residence halls and other high traffic areas throughout campus. They are designed to provide an auditory and visual alert when a threat has occurred or is imminent. Much like text messages, a protective action statement will scroll on the screen during the threatening event.

Mass Email
: All VCU email account holders will receive an email containing the safety recommendations related to the event.

Social Media
: Alerting information will be posted to the @VCUNews Twitter account and the VCU Facebook page.

Digital Signage
: Digital displays are located throughout campus with a particular focus in high traffic areas. These signs will display the emergency alert and reference information that is posted to Alertus boxes and text messaging.

After the semester test, monthly checks of the siren system are conducted at noon on the first Wednesday of each month consisting of a one-minute steady wail that also recharges the siren batteries. If you have any comments, questions or concerns about the VCU alerting technologies please email VCUAlert@vcu.edu.

Sincerely,

William R. Decatur

Vice President for Finance & Administration

3 Randolph volunteers needed for 8/23

From the Randolph Neighborhood Association (RNA):

Dear Randolph neighbors,

The RNA is looking for three neighborhood volunteers to help out for a couple hours on Saturday morning, August 23rd (8:00 to 10:00) to assist with VCU’s Project Clean and Green Move here in Randolph.  Tito Luna, VCU’s Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, indicated:

“I am working with the ASPiRE program and hope to have up to five student volunteers available to assist. If [Randolph] would like to participate and have at least three neighborhood residents on board (one of which is the project leader), please let me (taluna@vcu.edu) know by Monday at 9 a.m., so that I can confirm student volunteers and let the city know so that DPW can inform its employees either way.”

All that to say, we need your help! Your time and energy is greatly appreciated! Please contact Tito if you’re able to help out.

Sincerely,

~RNA

 

VCU Posts Welcome Week Events (Aug 18-23)

From Tito Luna, VCU’s Neighborhood Outreach Director:

Greetings,
 
Please find attached a flier to VCU’s neighbors from the VCU’s Student Commons and Activities. [. . . ]
 
[The Monday, Aug 18] event is a huge icebreaker for incoming freshmen to meet other students. It will likely be over closer to 9:30. There will be someone on a microphone and music will be played intermittently. I have been told that any sound associated with all three events will be directed away from residential areas.
 
If you have any questions leading up to the events, there is an email address and contact number on the flier. VCU Police will be on hand. As a reminder, their non-emergency number is 828-1196.
 
Finally, we look forward to the community joining VCU on Saturday, August 23 for First Ram Saturday: Food Truck A Palooza!
 
Thank you.
 
Tito

 

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