Echo Harbor Presentation & A Vision for Black History in Shockoe Bottom

Echo Harbor Presentation - September 1, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Delegate Delores McQuinn made an appearance and reminded the group that she was seeking office and to be sure to vote and tell your friends to vote on November 3.

Attorney James W. "Jim" Theobald from Hirschler Fleischer on behalf of Echo Harbor LLC presented a verbal argument in favor of the current redesign for Echo Harbor. He presented computer renderings of the design and views of the streetscape. He took questions from the audience and notably the organizers of the forum were supportive -- Antione Green, President, Richmond Crusade for Voters and Carrie Cox, President, Greater Jefferson Davis Area Civic Association. Councilman Marty Jewell [5th District] was the only member of City Council present. Three members of Council's Department of Legislative Services were present: Anthony Dale, Council Budget Analyst, Philip Leone, Council Fiscal Analyst, and Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst.

Mr. Theobald's argument essentially was that by right of current zoning his client could erect a 300 foot tall building with no breaks to preserve the view. He also demonstrated how the developer had made multiple revisions to the design to address complaints from Church Hill residents. He highlighted that the right of way would be deeded to the Capitol Trail and the developer would shoulder the costs of installing the portion of the trail that would pass through the property as well as other improvements to city property in the area. Interestingly, Mr. Theobald said that the project had morphed from more of a residential project into more of a commercially based project that will include shops, restaurants, hotel, and office space, as well as condominiums.

Phil Wilayto, editor of the Virginia Defender, presented his and his wife, Ana Edwards' vision for Shockoe Bottom development to include a genealogy center, slavery museum, and respecting the sacred burial grounds and the site of Lumpkin's Jail. I considered Phil's talk educational and inspiring. He spoke 20 minutes but about 15 minutes into his talk, I noticed a couple of African American audience members rolling their eyes. It was a little on the long side but it was interesting, I learned a few things I didn't know. Nothing compared to the presentation from our developer.

Echo Harbor Nightmare Tonight!

By far the more interesting meeting tonight will be an event organized by the Greater Jefferson Davis Area Civic Association and the Richmond Crusade for Voters that is being billed as a forum with Echo Harbour Developers.


Tuesday, September 01, 2009 6:30 PM-8:00 PM

Southside Community Service Center
Southside Plaza
4100 Hull Street Road
Richmond, Virginia 23224


For more information please contact Civic Association President Carrie Cox at (804)743-1636

Amending the Downtown Master Plan - Villains and Heros

Above, footage from Monday night's Council meeting held on July 13, 2009 includes the complete discussion of the proposed amendments to Richmond's Downtown Master Plan. This is as exciting as it gets for a City Council meeting. Enjoy it.

The clip opens with Brooke Hardin from the Department of Community Development describing the proposed changes, followed by comments from the public. Council discussion began with Councilman Marty Jewell (5th District) immediately seconding the request made by the attorney for Echo Harbor to strike language they did not like. Mr. Jewell's reckless motion was seconded by the Reva Tramell (8th District) and supported by Bruce Tyler (1st District) and Doug Conner (9th District).

Charles Samuels (2nd District) was the hero of the evening -- delivery a worthy speech at a crucial moment. The final vote was 4 - 4. The motion failed, thankfully.

The final Public Hearing on the Amendments to the Downtown Master Plan will be held on Monday July 27, 2009.

The First Two Hours of this Almost Four and a Half Hour Meeting



This unedited portion of video includes the meeting prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, Amendments to the Agenda, the Awards Period [at 9:00, which is broken out and detailed below]. At 37:20, Council President Graziano introduced Peter H. Chapman, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer [CAO] for Economic and Community Development, he didn't say much.

Highlights:

Citizen Comment Period begins at 38:30
Approval of Minutes [56:30]
Standing Committee Reports and Announcement from Council Members [57:30]
Review of Items on Consent Agenda [1:16:30]
Citizen Comment on the Consent Agenda [1:21:30]


the Consent Agenda,

Marty Jewell's Comments



Above, Councilman Marty Jewell argued for striking the language from the Downtown Master Plan as requested by the attorney from Echo Harbor and offered a motion to that effect. Councilwoman Reva Trammell seconded the motion. Bruce Tyler and Doug Conner also voted to support the motion. However, the motion failed on a vote of 4 to 4.

What the Echo Harbor Attorney Said and What a Couple of People Said



Above, comments from USP Echo Harbor, LLC attorney Jim Theobald to Richmond City Council during the public hearing on proposed amendments to the Downtown Master Plan. His comments are followed by comments from Thad Williamson and Eugenia Anderson Ellis, both citizens of Richmond, Virginia.

Awards Period



Above, many awards on this night.

Council President Kathy Graziano (4th District) and new CAO Byron C. Marshall presented an Official Joint Proclamation, officially declaring July 2009 as Richmond Public Park, Recreation and Community Facilities Month. J. R. Pope, director of the Department, accepted the award on behalf of the employees of the department, many of whom were in the audience.

Councilwoman Ellen Robertson (6th District) presented an Official Welcome to the 2009 Richmond Microscopy & Microanalysis Conference that will be held at the Richmond Convention Center July 26 - 30, 2009. The welcome was received by Carolyn Marks and Edwina "Winnie" Westbrook [the wife of John Westbrook, Ellen Robertson's Legislative Assistant], two of the four organizers of the Conference. A free event, open to the public, will be held on June 29 at 8:30 AM entitled "Microscopy in the Classroom."

Councilwoman Reva Trammell presented a Community Service award to the Mr. Yong Hak Lee and Mrs. Keum Ho Lee, owners of the Satellite Restaurant and Lounge / Crab House for their willingness to host community meetings at their restaurant [such as the one last week organized by Councilwoman Trammell for business owners to discuss the recent robbery and shooting and other recent crime on the Southside].

Councilman Charles Samuels presented an Official Recognition to the Braille Circulation Library founded in 1925. The recognition was received by Rev. Brian J. Barton, Sr., Executive Director and Board Members, Melody Lindsey and Maurice Bray.

Councilman Samuels also presented an Official Recognition to WDYL (Y101) celebrating their 10th Anniversary and their service to the Richmond-Metro area.