Ellen Robertson's Hip Hop Community Meeting / Cannon Creek Greenway / Matthew Heights Replacement

Ellen Robertson held two community meetings in the 6th District on Saturday April 11, 2009. The first was held at the Bank of America building in Downtown Richmond from 10 to noon. The second meeting was held at Overby-Sheppard on the North Side.

Overby-Sheppard was still locked at 2 o'clock when the meeting was supposed to begin. We didn't get in for another 25 minutes. It was cold and windy too. Only about 20 people came out for the meeting. There were chairs for 200.

From Richmond City Council Reporter & Telegraph

Matthew Smith [aka "Fundamental"] opened up the meeting by performing a couple of songs. The video below, combines the a cappella versions of "Death of a MC" and "What if I was Obama?" from the beginning of the meeting and the song performed at the end of the meeting, "Maybe." For more information about Fundamental, www.myspace.com/3rdeyeup




Charles Price talked to the assembled citizens about continuing momentum for the Cannon Creek Greenway. He suggested incorporating as a nonprofit to enable the organization to raise funds and support the Greenway. Charles' talk was a plea for community buy-in, participation, input, and support.



Smitty Smith from the Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation spoke to the group about the conceptual progress for the replacement development to replace Matthew Heights. Previously there had been talk of a highrise and row houses but Mr. Smith said residents at a previous meeting had expressed interest in seeing single family detached houses developed and that is what his organization is pursuing.