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Old Chimborazo Elementary slated for apartments
Margaret Freund’s Fulton Hill Properties is moving to redevelop the old Chimborazo Elementary School at Marshall and 33rd Streets into the Chimborazo Apartments.
The proposed design (PDF) will put 55 apartments (with 12 parking spaces) into the building.
From the Richmond Public Schools history of the building:
Chimborazo School opened in September 1905, with grades 1-7 in eight classrooms; the 1903-04 annual report includes a sketch of the building. It was considered to be handsome and well arranged, embodying the most advanced ideas in sanitation, heating, ventilation, seating, and school architecture.
In 1911, an annex was opened (classrooms and auditorium) to accommodate the growing population. Chimborazo’s enrollment declined in the 1950s with Church Hill’s change to a Negro community. In February 1957, the white pupils were transferred to Nathaniel Bacon, and Chimborazo was converted to a Negro school with pupils transferred from Bellevue, Bowler, and George Mason.
When the new Chimborazo opened in September 1968, the old building housed the Church Hill Opportunity Center (1968-1970) and an annex of East End Middle School (1970-72). It was leased to Model Neighborhoods in 1972. Old Chimborazo was declared surplus to the City, October 18, 1973. It has been privately rehabilitated as housing for the elderly (Chimborazo Manor).
Photo at top of 310 North 33rd Street circa 1999 via the Richmond Commission of Architectural Review Slide Collection at the VCU Libraries Digital Collections.
Wonderful news. I love this building and hope it achieves a thoughtful and careful renovation into apartments.
great news! this is a beautiful building with great potential. and, freund does terrific work. it will certainly be a boost to the area.
I think this is a great idea for adaptive reuse. Since moving to the neighborhood about 1.5 years ago, my wife and I have wondered why this building isn’t in use for something. Maybe there’s asbestos or other concerns inside, but the building itself seems to be in great shape.
As someone who just moved to 33rd (between Clay and Leigh), I am thrilled by this news. 🙂
Guess I’ll pile on… You can’t beat this news! It’s wonderful to see good things happening!
wow, 55 apartments and only 12 parking spaces?
We second No. 6. Seriously? 55 apartments and only 12 parking spaces. A rather ill-conceived plan.
Good call, CSB. This isn’t good news for Church Hill. Church Hill isn’t The Fan.
I agree that this is NOT good news for Church Hill. While I would love to see this building rennovated, 55 apartments (which works out to just over 400 square feet per apartment) and 12 parking spaces is not good development, imho. There’s a hearing on this project on Tuesday, 8/24, at 3:30 p.m.
#9 who is holding the hearing, and where is it? Thanks.
CAR meets Tuesday 8/24 at 3:30PM, at the 5th Floor Conference Room at City Hall. Recent agenda has an entry for 310 North 33rd Street: /2010/08/16/agenda-for-the-824-car-meeting_14884/
If you don’t like it buy it and do something different. Otherwise put down the Haterade.
I think the correct term for projects like this is “mini-storage”.
No, Mr. Houdon, that’s really not how it works. Richmond has development guidelines and this project is waaaaaaaaaaay outside of those guidelines. In addition, as community members, we have a say in what happens in our community. Its not “Haterade” because I don’t agree with this project and think its incredibly tacky development and a bad deal for Church Hill. Its my opinion, to which I am entitled, as you are your opinion.
Thank you, John, for posting the info about the CAR meeting. If you can’t make the meeting and want to offer an opinion or concern regarding this project, the contact person for CAR, who is collecting feedback on this project, is Jeff Eastman and he can be reached at jeff.eastman@richmondgov.com.
Is the “55 units” a typo? If not, will this be senior housing? I’m scratching my heading thinking how this many units could logically be placed in this building. It would be helpful to see some floor plans.
#14: well said! I don’t have a problem at all with the idea of turning it into apartments as long as the exterior doesn’t change (I have not looked at the plans). However, the idea of cramming 55 units in and only offering 12 parking spaces is something I do NOT like at all. I lived near there a few years ago, and adding that many cars would be, in my opinion, a disaster. That is not an area where I’d want to park three or more blocks away and walk home, esp. at night.
Also, I’m really tired of developers trying to cram as many units as they can into a space, and not providing parking. Case in point: the corners of 25th and East Franklin are now blind corners, more accidents waiting to happen (and in my years up here, I remember accidents there even before Pohlig and the condos were there as living spaces).
John, thanks for providing the info about the CAR meeting. Lucky Dog, thanks for providing the info about who to contact.
#2 Laura: she also owns rental property in the St. John’s district that was cited repeatly by the bldg. insp. for code violations. It took repeated calls by neighbors to get things fixed despite the threat of court from the bldg. insp. Sometimes she rescues buildings, I agree, sometimes she does it well, I agree, but bottom line, she’s out to make money.
the building currently has 35 average size units between the first and second floor. it also has an extremely large unfinished attic and english basement. if the plan is to finish those spaces, 55 units is not out of the question. dedicating some sq footage to hallways and common areas, the avg unit could be approaching 800 sq ft. that’s not bad for an apartment. as for parking, there’s plenty on the streets surrounding this building. this is an urban area…street parking is common. it happens in every major city on the east coast.
crd…”but bottom line, she’s out to make money.” this is a bad thing? i would hope that she continues to make money so she can continue her efforts. she [freund] has done more for this area than most…and great quality too. we should be so lucky.
According to the City website, it’s being converted to 35 apts, which would make much more sense, especially if they can use some of that 12k sq ft of attic space to incorporate loft area.
http://eservices.ci.richmond.va.us/applications/propertysearch/Detail.aspx?pin=E0000811001
Via the description (PDF), its either 54 or 55 apartments:
@8. Your right this isn’t the fan as their property values are considerably higher.
@16 developers are out to make money as they assume the risk
I am encouraged by the handful of positive posters to the thread as I am use to reading the tired excuses and complaints to development on the hill. I moved here about 6 years ago with an eye to the development of the hill and the bottom. Unfortunately, I quickly learned about the old richmond mindset. I am hopeful that with the new faces I see walking biking and jogging around the neighborhood the winds of change may be stirring
Ahh, looks like they are capitalizing on the cubic feet and doing loft sq footage within the dwellings. That’s smart. I’m sure the City Extensions Description is from 2006 or something.
Traffic means vitality. The grid up here is designed to take huge volumes. Old timers and the first pioneers up here are used to the lazy country town atmosphere that abandonment and poverty have given church hill and the bottom. Bring on 55 more households to keep your little church hill market in business! It IS NIMBY to unreasonably complaint about more people and traffic in an urban residential area.
maggie has done more to save and rehab old richmond than any number of self loving wannabe hysterical historical bureaucrats. heres an idea,howzabout some of you mystery expertsgive us the heads up on YOUR accomplishments. me i have been involved with rehabs for a long time from shockoe bottom to the hill and the one thing that is always funny is the amount of anonymous advice. she does it to make money? asshats,if she did it for a non profit would that make her a hero.? hell i run a non profit(even if i dont mean to. )seriously,nobody works for free and the various hysterical preservationist groups are as interested as anybody in expanding their empires. buddycorbett
The folks at the Blue Wheeler are licking their chops.
As I said earlier, I’m right down the street from this planned project. Are the people who complained about the supposed impact on parking in the neighborhood actually familiar with the parking situation on and around 33rd St.? Except for Sunday mornings, when you have various church services going on, there is PLENTY of parking. I am truly looking forward to having 55 new neighbors. 55 MCV students and working professionals down the street from me? With all due respect to the naysayers, my wife and I can’t wait! 🙂
I am all for this. It is a good use of a nice old empty building. Parking is not really an issue over there.
This is interesting…my house is one of those shown backing up to this building. I definitely have mixed feelings about having 110 new neighbors, their trash, their pets, their cars, and the preceding construction.
On the other hand the reason I stopped taking the bus to work is because that part of Marshall is scary with too many itinerant people ghosting around. Maybe it will be a good thing, and bring a better element, and of course it’s better than having a big vacant building rotting away. But does it have to be in my backyard??
It will also be interesting to see whether this negatively (or positively) impacts crime in our part of the hood…guess it could go either way.
I live on the 3300 block of E. Marshall and will be directly impacted by this project, whichever direction it ultimately goes. I believe all of the properties on this block are mutli-family. I’m interested to see how this development would affect the ‘rentability’ of these properties. Does anyone know if it will be low income housing? I hope it’s meant to attract young professionals and MCV students to the area. Based on the decline (in my opinion) I have seen in this area of the hill over the last few years, I will gladly give up parking in front of my home so long as this brings about a positive change.
I’m very happy to see this project and I look forward to its development. Personally, if I lived in that area, I’d be really excited to have more people, vitality, and energy in the neighborhood.
the more people the better! We can work out the parking later. It is a great building and has been empty for way too long.
I thought you needed one parking space per unit? How does the city count street parking to be included in the overall total?
Great use for the building..
Oh my word! A large apartment building with no parking lot in a CITY. Why would anyone do such a thing in an urban area?
lets face it…that part of Marshall St. is rough and in need of much help. This is a multi-million dollar project going in that will be one of the few positives in the area. it could spark other investment in the area o get it cleaned up. support it and stop looking at the downside risk. is what is there now so great?
I bet they are providing some off-site parking (which is allowed by zoning). It is too bad no one has tried to get the facts. Plus, there is a lot of street face that provides parking spaces which will be used before any off-site spaces will. My big concern is all the a/c units that are sprinkled everywhere (and I only count 47 a/c units, not 55) – there has to be a better way.
I can tell you all from experience in my neighborhood that the more people there are on the street, even if they only walking to their car, makes for a safer and more pleasant environment.
It is the best use of the building… just wondering what the zoning for parking is.
I was told by a friend who used to work for the city… all they have to say is street parking is available.
Wonder if Blue Wheeler will increase beer sales.
@35- all of the AC units can be placed on the roof. How would that be a problem? You won’t even see them.
Per the architects site plan, 27 of the ac units are on the ground – in front of (N 33rd St), at the side of (E Marshall St), and behind the building (the alley). I just came from the CAR review and that is a fact.
I printed the plans in the PDF here on the blog, and tried to read them. I think I counted 27 ac units on the ground if I identified them correctly – thanks #38 – and there is supposed to be a magnolia “hedge” screening them from view. Actually the elevation of the magnolia hedge was a whole lot easier to figure out than the actual location of the units!
So, #38 Lucky Dog – what happened at the CAR review? Please share? Thanks!
It was deferred. There’s a long list of CAR concerns. The AC units, windows,the closing off of the entrance on 33rd, the handicapped entrance, what’s below the ground level when they excavate for the sunken “outdoor” areas for the basement apartments, the location of the dumpster … I know I’ve left off some items. It’s a big and confusing project. There were some things I really liked. I just wish they would reconsider the make up of the apartments – lofts, 1 bedrooom and 2 bedroom units, instead of all single lofts and nothing else.
Lucky Dog, thanks so much for what sounds like a pretty comprehensive list of the CAR concerns. While you may think you left something off, to me it sounded like you paid attention at the meeting and probably got the overall concerns. It will be interesting to see what develops with revised plans etc.
Now, if Fruend follows her historical pattern, she will ignore CAR and appeal directly to the City Council, where she has friends who approve her plans, no matter how detrimental they might be for the neighbors.
In regards to parking,I wonder where all the teachers and administrators parked?
The more people on the Hill, the better off we will be. Services like restaurants and retail follow (occupied) rooftops. Rarely do they precede them.
Sounds awesome. Change by definition is not a bad thing. More folks the better… Population density in an urban area is a good thing. Let it happen…
“Population density in an urban area is a good thing. Let it happen…”
If done responsibly Matt…
I personally don’t live in this area of the hill so it won’t affect me on a day to day basis. Those in this particular area of the neighborhood, however, will be affected daily. What hasn’t been mentioned in this thread is the fact that this area also has churches close by. Churches on the hill don’t just impact the parking situation on Sundays…it’s 4-5 nights a week as well. This is do know as I live down the street from Cedar Street Baptist. A church function is happening any given evening would probably add another 50-100 cars to the area. Not to mention the 45+ or so cars that would come with these apartments. Sunday would be even worse as this brings out most of the congregation.
While I think most folks who live in an urban setting don’t expect to park right in front of their home every night, many would be put off by having to walk 3+ blocks home after parking.
Younger folks might be fine with it but what about the elderly who live nearby, what about new mothers with small children in tow (of which I know there are a few in that area), what about someone who may have been injured (broken leg, sprained ankle, etc.)?
Yes, development is a good thing on the hill and I would love to see more people move up here and especially in that area of the hill. Yes, it would bring additional services and businesses. It would, however, bring additional traffic issues due to the density of this particular development.
By the way, does anyone know to whom these apartments will be marketed? Is it the young professional (MCV, etc.)? They seem to be pretty small apartments…low income maybe? Has anything been mentioned about that?
Wouldn’t it be great if it didn’t take a car to live in this neighborhood? One of the things that makes high density in an urban area so workable is public transportation (and bikes, sidewalks, a few taxis).
When are we going to have bike lanes?
And of course the walkable-distance businesses would be great.
And if we can put a lid on scooter thefts, they don’t take up a whole car parking spot…
If people started thinking forward to alternatives to one person=one car, things might actually move in that direction.
gee car has “some concerns”.theres a news flash.the nature of a bureaucracy is to justify its existence. by the by the car board is APPOINTED by city council so how is freund gonna use her pull to get her way. howzabout her last go round with car?how is that going to help her case?painting car as a victim here is a laughable attempt to help justify their persnickety ways as necessary . recent additions who actually have credibility will help cars rep but the idea of appointed csars who always seem compelled to stick in their two cents is a bad one.i dont need someone to tell me what to do with my hardearned cash as if their esthetic sense was demonstrably better than my own. it is galling and time consuming to deal with these guys when u r risking yourOWN capital to actually do the work.if i see one one more historical wannabe taking credit forsomebody elses work iam gonna laugh until i puke. also good to see some nosy anonymousdorks hard at work trying to derail somebody doing some actual work. but thats pretty much the m.o huh?rag your neighbors from cover. punkasses.buddycorbett
Can we sign a petition to have buddy banned from posting here. I mean, sometimes I do agree with what he is saying, but he can’t seem to convey his point in any civilized or intelligent way. Just sad to see him venting at his neighbors day by day.
For a second there I thought buddycorbett was going to get through an entire rant without getting up on his anti-anonymous posting soapbox and without his usual name calling. Fat chance. What a blathering wanker.
how did u know i was talking to you?hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.buddycorbett
DID EVERYONE FORGET OAKWOOD HEIGHTS?
CAR witheld approval. The developer refused to share more than rough drafts of plans or to answer any questions. So the issue was postponed.
and the developler spread money around, hiring a city council womans son as a consultant…and City Council circumnavigated CAR and approved the project.
There are two sets of rules. Those that apply to you and me and those that apply to developers. IF you have the money and the influence, you can get city council to approve anything.
Wow Buddy…another good mood today?
I completely agree with Jennifer #46- we should be promoting bike lanes and walkability!
@#45- what you describes sounds like an issue with the churches, not with the apartment complex. That’s like blaming the son for the sins of the father except that in this case, the 2 aren’t even related.
I lived on 25th St for a while near St. John’s and parking was only an issue on Sunday mornings but even then it wasn’t THAT bad.
Clay St,
I was simply explaining why there would be an issue. Personally, I do have an issue with the church on my block as there are nightly events hosted there and even though Cedar Street owns quite a few parking lots, the church goers would rather take parking from the residents on that block instead of park in the lots the church owns and walk.
My point was that whenever a church function occurred, the additional cars generated by the complex would only increase the parking problem. I’m not blaming one or the other…they both contribute to the problem.
Also, I’ve been to St. John’s and it’s not a really large church like some of the others in the area. Take a drive one Sunday down the 700 block of 23rd and you’ll understand what residents have to endure when living close to a large church. An example if you will….I had brunch one Sunday for some friends at my place. One of my guests had to park 6 blocks away at 10:30 in the morning! I don’t mind having to walk a block or so but 6? That’s a bit much for most people.
what’s the deal with everyone saying how dodgy and dangerous this part of the hill is!? i’ve lived up here (within the same block) for over four years, and i’ve never once felt threatened or uncomfortable- and i’m a single white chick! i walk down these streets at night and have absolutely no problems. I think a lot of people think this area is dangerous because a lot of people hang out outside around here… but if anyone took the time to talk with people and get to know the people around your neighborhood- you would know those ‘sketchy’ characters hanging around and realize there’s nothing to be afraid of. Don’t slam an area until you really know what it’s like…
thank u ecochick for saying what every grownup oughta already know. talk to your neighbors and they will talk to you. its not fair to argue with people you have never met. give every person the same rights and priviliges u claim for yourself. judge people by their actions not your fears.dont mistake anxieties for valid fears….it distracts us from the things that matter.buddycorbett
#54 SEW: I know someone else on your block and they are lucky to have off-street parking. I understand your problems with that church and parking, completely. My friends have never complained, but as I said, they have their own parking. I have not visited them during a time when the church was having any events, but I have driven by there when the church was doing something and it would have been impossible to park. And yes, six blocks is a bit much. I lived near the school site awhile ago, and during church events, the area near 33rd and Broad was full of parked cars. Not sure how many times a week they have events, though.
48,49,and52.you guys are the meanest sorority on campus.buddycorbett
#55 Ecochick: I lived near 32nd and Clay awhile back. I did NOT walk around at night alone. I did do so during the day, however. I agree, some of the dodgy looking characters (some of whom live in an assisted living home at 32nd and Clay) can seem strange, but harmless. However, I clearly remember one dark cold November evening when I happened to look outside, and witnessed about two dozen male figures, all in hoodies, right in front of my house, swarming around a large black SUV, which was parked in the middle of the street – a drug dealer making a delivery at 10:30 at night. It was over in fifteen minutes, but the memory stayed with me. I think the area has come up but maybe a large development like this one would help to make it even safer.
I just want it done right, with CAR not getting over ruled yet again by council. ‘Nuff said.
I agree with ecochick. I live near there and dangerous isn’t one of the words I’d use to describe here and definitely not decline.
I walk around here. I’ve come home in the middle of the night. I know some of the neighbors. I’m not looking at it through rose-tinted glasses but, if there ever was a point where I didn’t feel safe here, I wouldn’t have renewed my lease.
We speak up for the neighborhood and the city as a whole when someone from Glen Allen calls it the seventh circle of hell but some of us are quick to call Marshall and 33rd scary when it isn’t.
Scary? Please. I’ve called Marshall & 33rd home for more than a year now. Neighbors are great. Guys on the corner, always cordial with a good morning/evening, etc. They watch out for me too.
Oakwood Heights is a different scenario. Freund’s restoration work is good and the area does not need another building decaying, going unused. Apartments, or preferably, condos are perfect for that grand old building. However, there has to be a line drawn where a developer is allowed to max the units at the detriment of the neighborhood. Ms. Freund will test that line.
so are u scared of the churchgoers or your suspected drug dealers? what could those two groups have in common that has u so freaked?hmmmmm? if u manufacture fears for yourself in order to feel like you have something to overcome u waste a lot of energy.the neighborhood isnt scary u are just a pitiful fearful schmo so please do us all a favor and either grow a set or move to a gated community.the rest of us have lives to live NOT fears to breed.buddycorbett
Will Jones looks at this in this morning’s RTD.
I live basically right next door to this school, and I am dreading this school being turned into unneccessary apartments. Church Hill is an amazing place to live. All the old houses and the quiet streets.. I absolutely love it. There are so many abandoned and ran down houses in the area that a real estate company could focus on rather than taking such a huge space to convert into more apartments. I’d much rather see the school turned into a wellness center/spa/art studio, etc. where kids from the area could come to spend time and learn in a positive way. Having a few 1-2 bedroom apartments in the place as well to help with financial issues would be an awesome idea, but to turn the entire building into apartments is a little over the top in my opinion. We need more businesses in Church Hill, not more housing.
Any updates on what is going on with this project?
Funny I have been wondering too. If I had to guess I’d say Chimborazo LLC is out of cash.
A big “zoning application pending sign” went up yesterday.