Wednesday, June 25: Join us at Common Groundz Coffee (734 West Broad St, Richmond, VA) to gain a deeper understanding of the Downtown Master Plan, and the skills to most effectively advocate for it.
Do you want to support the Downtown Master Plan, but are not sure entirely what it entails, or how to most effectively advocate for it? This event will arm you with the knowledge and skills you need to take action for a better city. 734 West Broad Street.
5:30 - 6:00: Networking and Coffee. 5% of the proceeds go to PSG!
6:00 - 7:00: Presentation and Q&A on the Downtown Plan, Tom Phan, Planner, City of Richmond Department of Community Development
7:00 - 7:45: Effective Advocacy Training & Letter to your Legislator Workshop, Helen O'Beirne, Director of Housing Leadership, Housing Opportunities Made Equal
Please RSVP to Sheila at PSG@PSGrichmond.org. Volunteers needed and appreciated!
Upcoming Events
Monday, July 7th: Speak at the Planning Commission Public Hearing and Email your Commissioner in Support of the Plan
The Planning Commissioners deferred their vote on the Downtown Master Plan on May 19th, as they felt citizens needed more time to review the revised draft, and because representatives of developers spoke out against portions of the plan that did not suit their needs.
Please take this opportunity to go on public record in support of the Downtown Master Plan and the community vision it represents. Opportunity for public comment is first on the agenda. 6:30 p.m., 5th floor conference room, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street.
Wednesday, July 23rd, and Wednesday, August 20th:
Join the Envision Richmond Core Group at Our Strategy Meetings
Team up with other concerned citizens and help formulate the Envision Richmond campaign for a better City. All committed to working toward a better city are welcome!
Two Envision Richmond Strategy Meetings remain this summer, on Wednesday, July 23rd, and Wednesday, August 20th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., 2nd floor Conference Room, 530 East Main Street. Parking available on the top floor of nearby parking deck, entrance to the left of Cafe Ole on 6th Street.Invite members of your community organizations, institutions, congregations, and businesses to join. This needs to be a broad-based movement! We need you there!
Saturday July 12 and Saturday August 31st:
Celebrate, Enjoy, and Protect the James River
River Advocacy Day: Saturday, July 12th: 2:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Intermediate Terminal, Rocketts Landing and Ancarrow's Landing. Music, fun, forums, and games, at the site of the best - and most threatened - view in Richmond, while cheering the James River Association's River Runoff Rundown, a collective journey down all 340 miles of the great River.
Richmond River Races: Saturday, August 30th, 2:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The First Annual Festival for the Richmond Region celebrating the James River
at Intermediate Terminal, Rocketts Landing and Ancarrow's Landing in the City of Richmond and County of Henrico.
The Great Indignation of 2008: Learn why the particular view shed from Libby Hill is so important historically and culturally, and what you can do to protect it.
Together, we can join forces for a River accessible to all and a connected, cohesive Capital.
Revitalizing the urban core means a stronger, more sustainable city, and a stronger, more sustainable Richmond region.
Think of the James River with its white water rapids amidst beautiful landmark architecture. Scenic beauty in an urban landscape. A growing arts community. Revolutionary War and Civil War historical sites. And let's not forget the great loft condos, restaurants, Farmers' Markets, theaters, and historic neighborhoods that are a testament to the City's vigor. But Richmond has suffered from a lack of a cohesive vision to fulfill the potential of its remarkable assets.
For the City of Richmond's Draft Downtown Master Plan.
Responding to this disconnect, the Department of Housing and Community Development hired the planning firm of Dover Hohl to engage citizens in determining a vision for their city's future :
The planners persistently gathered and carefully listened to citizens' comments - from business owners' parking nightmares to parents' safety concerns, from developers' insights to preservationists' pleas. This inclusive, open process has helped to garner broad public support for the resulting draft. It builds on Richmond’s strengths and maps ways to embrace green infrastructure, alternative transportation options, and mixed-use and mixed-income development to enliven and connect our Capital City.
Because we can't let special interest opposition weaken this vision.
Resistance has emerged from special interest groups who do not support parts of the plan that do not meet their singular needs. The plan must be adopted in its entirety.
Because elected officials need to hear from you.
Let our officials know that you applaud this optimistic, realistic, and equitable plan. Let them know you care about preserving and enhancing the beauty and community character of Virginia's Downtown.
We must ensure that the Planning Commissioners weigh our support when they discuss priorities for the plan's implementation on April 21, 2008. We must ensure that the City Council hears our voices when they vote to adopt the plan this summer.
Because this is our city, our vision, our future.
Join the chorus of hundreds of Virginians and Richmonders who have been waiting for this blueprint for a better city. Now we have to make it happen.
