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Oakwood Heights going to the Virginia Supreme Court?
04/15/2010 6:51 AM by John M
The RTD’s News Near You has this running today:
A Church Hill property owner is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to hear an appeal in the case of Oakwood Heights, a 33-unit condominium development approved for a city historic district at the end of East Broad and Marshall streets. Last month, Circuit Judge T.J. Markow upheld the City Council’s decision to approve the project. David Branch, an attorney for property owner Joseph Preston Carson III, confirmed the notice of appeal this week.
How is this case being funded?
Please don’t tell me CHA money is in this…
Who’s the property owner?
Rumor has it that the movie rights have been pre-sold to generate positive cash flow for the appeal.
It is rumored that Ennio Morricone will create the musical score. Sergio Leone will direct the movie, via an unknown spiritual medium who will be hired to channel the spirit of the famous director.
I do hope they choose to shoot the picture locally. Our economy could use the boost.
#2 Kerri, as stated in the initial thread, the property owner is Joe Carson. He owns property in the last block of East Broad St. He brought the initial lawsuit. The developer is Margaret Freund, who owns Fulton Hill School. She has done several commercial projects, and also owns a duplex at 29th and East Franklin Sts, among other things.
#1 JS, I don’t know of any plans by CHA to fund this. Had a discussion tonight with two members of CHA (I am not currently a member, have lived up here for over 25 yrs. and was a member in past but not for last 9/10) and neither of them mentioned it. If it’s about to be an issue, they aren’t aware presently – but could be it just happened.
Quite frankly, I think it’s great that there is an appeal, and I’m almost tempted (note:ALMOST) to donate a couple of hundred bucks. For all I know, Mr. Prince is doing it pro bono because he’s ticked off that he lost, who knows….that would be great, though, save everyone a few bucks….I thought the initial suit had merit.
AS I understand it, the plaintiff has three months to perfect an appeal. The SC can decide whether or not it wishes to hear the appeal. Judge Markow’s ruling was very limited, dealing only with the city’s authority to make the decision it did. The city can also ask for a large bond to make sure that the time involved does not create an economic burden on the defendants.
Since the appeal is against the ruling that was in favor of the city, doesn’t this mean the city (we taxpayers), not the developers, will have to pay for defense of the ruling?
The movie rumor mill is abuzz that Matthew McConaughey or Jane Lynch will play the part of Joseph Carson. Actor Julie Hagerty or Carrot Top will champion the part of Margaret Freund. The casting will depend on the thespians availability and the creative liberties taken by the producers and writers.
My error in #4, I should have said maybe Mr. Branch (not Prince, no clue where I got that name).
I hope Fulton Properties wins, the development will only be a few blocks from my house. IT’s grand Ms. Freund wants to invest this kind of money in our area.
Good luck to you Ms. Freund, I hope you win.
What about the dumps at Glenwood and 35th. street. No-one seems very concerned about that future section-8 project.
It’s amazing to me how so many people who don’t even live near this proposed development are involved in trying to prevent it.
We need an upscale development in this area. I hope it’s built and everyone of the condos sell.
I want all the section-8 out of here, we need a Georgetown in Richmond. We have the perfect location for it, we’re removed enough to avoid all the noise for the bottom. Close enough to enjoy all the luxuries of living close to downtown.
It’s my opinion a lot of you would prefer the lot stay full of trash, and overgrown trees etc. There are about five houses on the entire block restored.
The block is ugly, and needs a lot of help. It’s full of rental, and I think someone by the name of Carson or Turner owns a lot of those run down houses.
This development will raise our property taxes, and push these slumlords out of here. GREAT!!!!!
Somebody needs to move to the burbs. I’m just sayin’…
Who needs to move to the burbs…
If you’re aiming your post at me, why am I chastised for wanting my neighborhood to improve. We live in the greatest part of the entire city. Am I wrong wanting to see all these grand old houses reach their full potential.
Have you ever walked up Chimborazo Blvd., how grand would it be to have the entire street renovated. There are some grand houses on that street, but instead we have to look at that disgusting mkt.
There are still a lot of houses with either vinyl siding, and un-renovated.
Am I wrong to want my neighborhood to be the best it can be!!!!
Our architectural design in the Chimborazo Old and Historic District is very eclectic, we’d be far more beautiful than the fan could ever be.
If you’re oposed to wanting this area improving, and being a quainte Georgetown…maybe you should move up to ‘X’ street.
The 3600 block of East Broad is a dump and Carson is a slumlord. Every property he owns on that block is a mess. The best thing that could happen here is for it to be developed. Open your eyes people….DUMP!!!! I hope the court shuts this ghetto master down.
I agree with “#”‘s post. I love the old neighborhood, but I’d rather see someone build something nice than old squatter houses. We all know many of these slumlords will never do anything about the old rundown houses. For somebody actually wanting to “fix up” the street is a miracle.
Condos I’m okay with; however, the section 8 project I am NOT! I believe we should put our effort toward stopping the section 8 housing. There are many other places they should put it rather than The Bottom. CH has worked so hard to clean that area up, and now they want to fill it with low income housing.
Laura and VB, it’s grand to see some other people living here agree with me.
I want these slumlords pushed out of here, and if it means our property taxes going up.
We’ve lived with worse for years!!!!
Rental property can be maintained, and generate a very good income. I own rental property, and every piece I own is very well maintained.
It’s because I appreciate the neighborhoods they’re located, and respect the work all the neighbors do to keep up their properties. There’s no reason this Carson person couldn’t upgrade his properties…he would generate a much higher income. The block would look a lot better, and he’d have a much more valid point for trying to fight this development.
Why doesn’t this Carson person take all the legal fees for attorneys, and invest them into those slums he owns. I am certain owner the occupied dwellers would be very grateful to him.
I don’t know if any of you knew Stan Smith, he used to be a slumlord up here.
He’s passed away, and finally all his properties were sold. They’re beautiful now…and owner occupied.
However, as stated earlier..a landlord doesn’t have to be trash. They can take care of their properties. Larry Ingram is another slumlord on that block,and
he owns a house in the 3400 block of E. Broad, and it’s boarded up.
Think of how grand it would be if someone were to buy his house and restore it.
He also owns two houses on the 3400 block of E. Marshall St….those two were occupied. However, they finally deteriorated to the point of being condemned.
If it means the property taxes going up to get these slumlords out of here.
I’ll write it again..we’ve lived with worse!!!!
And if someone didn’t hear me before…let me say it again. It’s a DUMP! The entire 3600 block of East Broad,same goes for East Marshall. Add the 3500 block of Marshall too while we’re at it. The only hope is a stick of dynamite, a match, or a bulldozer. Nothing in that slum has any redeeming architectural value. It’s a DUMP! And put it to the tune of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby got back” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY84MRnxVzo
Substitute “That block is a dump” for “Baby got back”
and here’s another one that gets right to the point…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAt6FSBxU8Q
Laura…you’re to funny!!!!!
I’ll say it again, it’s so refreshing to see someone else agree wtih me.
View…are you saying that there are people up here that would disagree with the suggestion that there are DUMPS up here? Are they freakin’ blind?
Laura, I mean…there are people up here who’d rather things stay the way they are.
We wouldn’t want to offend anyone, and make them feel forced out of their homes.
‘THEY” don’t even own!!!!
You have to see what I see, someone is still trying to fight this woman for wanting to invest well over a million dollars in that dump block.
In my opinion we all need to get together..all who live in the Chimbo. district, and find out exactly what everyone wants to become of this area.
I live across from the park ( in my opinion) in one of the most beautiful houses up here.
Am I wrong for wanting this area to continue improving, and have a market and cafe or two. It’s my assumption you live in this area, but we’re wrong to want the improvements.
I have a vivid imagination, ( ok I have an auterial flow problem from the neck up) but can actually imagine how grand it would be for this entire area to be restored.
This is a beautiful area, there are still a lot of houses needing to be restored. I hate to see any of these old houses torn down or fall down.
The Chimbo. area could be far more beautiful than south of Broad if we could get all of these slumlords out of here!!!!
View- “You have to see what I see, someone is still trying to fight this woman for wanting to invest well over a million dollars in that dump block.” I couldn’t agree with you more! It amazes me that people would oppose this development. This would be a much-needed improvement in the area. I’ll say it again…that block is a DUMP! Build Maggie build!!!
The opposition to Oakwood Heights came from one member of CAR pursuing a personal agenda…it almost wrecked CAR and is costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Maggie is a distinct personality, but she has invested millions in some of the best historic reconstructions on the East Coast. If she were working in Charleston, they would give her a medal.
View, when I read your entry, I thought could someone be so rude and nasty? I suppose so, this website allow sorts of things to happen. I assume you are a new comer to this wonderful neighborhood and that is great. However, the neighbors in Chimborozo O&H district are long time residents. Most have been here for 50 years and lived through the hard time and stuck it out. There was constant gun fire and unfortunately house fires. At the dead end of Broad in the 70’s there was a house fire that killed 7. I believe many of the neighbors are retired and I on a limited income and don’t have extra cash to make their properties pristine like yours.
I’ve spoken to neighbors of “the dump”. They are not against development. They are against having a 40′ road going through the middle of the block. They are against having 4 stories buildings. Both, by the way, are not permitted under the CAR regulations. I suggest you check your sources.
View, also made a comment that Marshall St was a dump. Actually I think you used stronger language. Margaret Freund rehab 2 for those houses. She totally discarded the CAR regs and put up vinyl siding on one of the houses.
David, Margaret used her own lawyers for the original suit. City attorney only showed up and sat through the case. Once again, check your sources.
LTG,
I reccommend you re-read all my blogs…it is not my desire to push owner occupants out of the area.
However, all but a handful of the houses on that block are owned by slumlords.
Check your sources, go to Richmond.gov, you’re able to get the owner of every property in the city of Richmond.
One of the slumlords (who owns a lot of the houses by the name of Carson) lives right here in church hill on E. Grace St.
I venture to guess ninety-eight percent of owner occupants take great pride in their property. It doesnt’t take a lot of money to keep a house repaired.
However, it cost a lot to repair a house that’s been allowed to deteriorate for years.
I only called the block a “dump”, and most of it is a “dump”. If I were to use profanity ( which you’re illuding) it would invalid my argument. However, I make no apology for using the word dump, and most of the houses (as stated earlier) are owned by slumlords.
The people living in those houses may have lived there for years, but they don’t own them.
3300 – 3600 E. Marshall St is filled with dumps as well.
My goal or ambition is to see this great neighborhood become the grand neighborhood it once was fifty + years ago.
If you think I am rude in wanting this neighborhood to improve -“go for it”.
In reference to you using CAR as your defence.
The contemporary condos built at the corner of 25th. and E. Franklin aren’t in keeping with the historic integrity of the neighborhood. However, it’s interesting to me how they were passed with no hassle.
Where is CAR now? the apts. at the corner of Glenwood and 35th. ST. have vinyl siding, metal framed windows, and metal doors.
I was told when I bought ‘houses’ up here, and invested thousands of dollars. There were rules to follow, 1. No vinyl siding 2. no metal framed windows 3. no metal doors on the front of the house 4. no storm doors on the front of the house etc.
Those apts. have been somewhat rehabbed, but they still have the first three listed.
Where is your disatisfaction with those apts. There are several houses on the 3400 block of E. Marshall St. w/ vinyl siding. The two bungalows just recently renovated (if you want to use the word renovated) have vinyl siding on them.
They were just completed in the past few months. I’ll admit, they look much better now.
As stated earlier, if I’m being rude for wanting to see the Chimbo.district be all it can be. I am one of the most rude people you’ll ever meet.
In reference to me being new to church hill, I’ve been living here twelve years, and have invested thousands of dollars in properties.
I have two last points- what does the tragedy of the family dying in the ’70s, and Maggie Freund using her own attorneys have to do with ‘MY’ blogs.
In an interesting narrative twist for the potential upcoming movie, the CHPN postings will be used to provide added color and continuity. David Duke will voice poster “View” and Ann Coulter will portray the part of “Laura”. The actors will only read the parts; they will not be seen in the movie.
I’m just a bit ticked off here! I think I was the first to use the word DUMP! on this thread and I got absolutely no credit
from “ltg”. Here, here View! I support your comments and I stand by my proclamation that the 3600 block of East Broad is a DUMP! Okay, maybe the first few houses on the western end of the street are unfairly lumped in to the DUMP.
But, the further East you go…the dumpier they get! Hey “g2thap”…if Hollywood’s calling…Annie, I shall be!
You’re ticked off…I used the word ‘dumps’ first ‘post #9’.
In reference to the movie, I would rather Johnny Depp or Robert Downey play my part (Seen not just heard)!!!
Laura, you used the word ‘DUMP’ fist 😀
View…you’re right! I stand corrected.
I agree Laura, the problem is that those folks in the area along with CHA thinks they own everything.That place should be developed and I’m all for it. You can’t bring the country into a city.They all want parks….. parks…. parks…. to walk their dogs and cats and roof roofs and meows and alow their animals to piss and doo doo all on other folks properties.So yes its a dump for them. I am so sick of CHA and the folks who live in that area BS.They are full of it and residents now know it.CHA, CHA, CHA, CHA, you don’t own the city.