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The past & future of Fulton
09/13/2007 4:45 PM by John M
Style Weekly gives the past and future of our neighbors in Fulton the cover with “The Greatest Place on Earth” (and a great set of photos, too).
During the next several months, the valley will finally give way to bulldozers and construction crews. New suburban-style homes, expected to start selling in the low $160,000s, will rise from the dirt. The Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority will send out press releases touting the project as the last leg of the Fulton Urban Renewal Plan, which dates to 1966 and involved the demolition of “859 blighted structures” in the early 1970s. Expect ribbon cuttings with City Council members, a nice spread in the newspaper and pretty TV reporters singing the praises of urban revitalization.
TAGGED: Fulton
The tearing down of, and tearing apart of, Fulton, remains a real tragedy, I think.
This is what Bill Laffoon was talking about in a posting in reference to the move to get Union Hill declared a city historic district – this sort of thing is part of why he has little if any faith in the city preserving neighborhoods. I’m not meaning this to comment on city designated historic districts, just making that comment (and yes, I do know Bill, have known him for years).
We’ve touched on this before: “new homes coming to Fulton” (9/25/2005)
True enough, it is valid to to be wary of our area’s various governmental actors because of bad things like the wholesale destruction of Fulton, but we should try to be to be as fully informed as possible.
This might be a good place to note that RRHA is a branch of the state government created by the state legislature and is completely separate from the city government.
It might also be a good place to note that, according to information linked elsewhere on this site, it looks like old and historic designations prevent demolitions, even of so-called blight.
The type of slash and burn that is happening up in Fulton is precisely why UH and other historic neighborhoods need an O&H designation.
To Laura D., it isn’t CURRENTLY HAPPENING ‘up in Fulton.’ It already happened – thirty/forty years ago. Some people tried to preserve it, or at least parts of it, at the time, and they were sadly beaten down and the buildings were ‘dozed anyway. Read the article, please please. I would hope that, if the city was currently ‘dozing an entire community, you would not be so cavalier.
To Noted – the fact that RRHA is not part of Richmond city government does not excuse what they did in ‘dozing Fulton, which was a complete community into itself at the time, nor does it excuse their racist attitude at the time.
Further, historic designation does, indeed, SOMETIMES prevent demolition – but not necessarily of blight. Seems to depend on who is defining blight.
Part of the point of the article is that blight was a term which was applied to the entire neighborhood. What happened in Fulton was, to my knowledge, the very last ‘urban renewal’ effort in the United States (I’m not making this up, I read it somewhere – Lora T., please correct me if I’m wrong, you’ve got the degree in urban planning, not me). It was considered, long after, to have been a mistake, from the urban planning standpoint. They completely destroyed an entire community.
Several years ago I read all of the Community Newletters of Fulton Hill…dating back to the 60’s. Fulton was apparently known as Richmond’s Little Secret. The police didn’t patrol up here back in the day.
Looks like we’re slated to be another “Neighborhood in Bloom” because of the and somehow I feel a little uneasy about that….
This year will be our seventh year in our sweet 1920’s bungalow in Fulton Hill. We can feel the changes coming and hope they are thoughtful and positive changes for all of the people of Greater Fulton Hill.
Kimmy on Carlisle Ave.
Jeez Celeste:
Excuse me? Why would you think that I’m being “cavalier?” After all that I went through to get the O&H in Church Hill North. You were a supporter of the designation and contacted me on several occasion as a supporter of my/our efforts, and actually helped me canvas the neighborhood.
The slash and burn that I’m referring to is the past AND current urban renewal catastrophe that happens in many neighborhood here in Richmond and across the country. I don’t take that lightly at all. What would possibly make you think that?
O&H designation can help to curb that type of “renewal” by preventing the mass demolition of communities.
However, CAR cannot stop the demolition of a building that has been deemed unsafe by the Fire Marshall or Building Inspector. Safety issues fall under the basic zoning laws.
I’m sure that most of Fulton was not demolished because it was “unsafe.”
to posted by noted, RRHA is a city “quasi” govt agency with its members appointed by the city council. most people assume that its mission is housing. it was created as a tool for the city to take private property for highways and city/municipal development. housing was added to the name to relocate residents out of the way of demolition and to act as a conduit for federal housing programs.
Laura, I really wanted you to read the article. Nothing at all to do with North of Broad O&H, which I did and do support. Matter of fact, I wish Union Hill best of luck with their efforts, too.
None of that changes what happened in Fulton.
It really detracts from this blog when commenters take personal offense and start attacking others.
Let’s try not to “type angry”, okay?
We’re having a conversation. We’re not angry and taking offense. Things get passionate on this site because people give a darn. Celeste and I are friends. Give it a rest, Tiny.
Well, I hope to see it revived and I hope the city can work with some of those displaced to get them back into Fulton if they so desire. River City Sports and Social Club has recently started having some of its sports there (kickball and football) which is bringing people from all over the city down there. Great exposure to what most others consider ‘the hood.’ Heck, even living in CH I wasn’t exposed that much to the Fulton area. I love that I can ride my bike there for games and see more of my area.
Laura … take it easy girl. Your way too defensive and then get out of control. If you want to be taken seriously you have to be a lot calmer.
Lisa:
When is defending one’s position “defensive” and “out of control?” If you have an opinion about this topic, great, I’d love to hear it and engage.
Posting a scold two weeks after the fact at 12:40 in the morning just seems like boredom on your part.
Also, why do women frquently tell other women to calm down and behave themselves?
Q.E.D.
Your anonymous, passive aggressive comments must be hard to resist!
Where’s the threat, girls?
Q.E.D. back at ya.
Lisa, Tiny, SayingitSimply, and anyone else who wants to personally attack or judge me:
Here’s my home and work phone and email.
H: 649-1913
W: 649-2583
laura@mysterydinner.com
You can preach to me all you want about good manners, attitude, self-control, how to be the right kind of woman/person, what color toenail polish to wear, and any other virtue you deem appropriate to teach me.
I can find out who you are. That way we might actually get to know each other and realize that we’re really not all that different.
Let’s spare the rest of the population this silliness.
Can we get back to the topic now?
Laura,
I was never personally attacking you! My goodness. I just think that at times the conversation gets a little hot.
I really do not like being called out like this. I always try my best to be polite while stating my views and usually drop out of the conversation when I feel like someone is taking personal offense.
I hate when the comments are so angry and combative. I don’t mean that as an insult.
I already know you, and I know you are a fine person.
Some people need to grow up and stop catching feelings over a message board.
PsyD
Not at all on subject, but since there were some posts here about women telling other women how to behave, I think this is appropriate. I thought some might find this short video (link below) on gender discrimination (also self imposed), interesting – on Good Morning America, believe it or not.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/223/popup/index.php?cl=4825376
Gotta love ya Laura! I don’t know anything about anything here (what’s more I live on the ‘wrong’ side of the river) but I always give broad leeway to any thespians. Of COURSE they’re dramatic 🙂