VCU was asked to support one hour parking along Cary in support of the small businesses there and they have so far refused.

VCU has created an unsustainable parking and traffic situation.

I will also add that VCU has has not adequately answered questions about emergency response access.

But here is a bit of response to at least Jason’s comment, in the form of some quotes from OHHIC President Todd Woodson:

There are NO provisions for ANY parking for this 131,000 sq ft $43,000,000.00 proposed Facility. I’ve been told the Harrison Street Parking Deck is already fully subscribed. This stress would have a substantial negative impact on Oregon Hill as well as the Fan District and Randolph and also be problematic for the commuting students wanting to use the rec center. Imagine a Target Department Store landing there with no parking spaces and the chaos that would ensue.

• Collateral traffic impact of such a substantial Facility has yet to be COMPREHENSIVELY studied. Narrow and one way Cherry street is already choked with gridlocked and idling vehicles at peak VCU pre class times all the way back to Idlewood. Cary street is also one way and much narrower than Broad street. Try to get past the double parked cars on Main St in front of Gladding Residence Compound between Laurel and Pine (across from Monroe Park) at any time when school is in session and you will know exactly what potential problems we face here.

There are viable alternatives to this proposed departure from the VCU 2020 master plan (including sticking to the master plan):

• VCU owns the vacant lot at 601 W Broad St, directly across Broad st from major VCU dorms and easily accessible from Johnson. Brandt, Rhoades, and Gladding Halls. The 2020 master plan shows a proposed large parking deck to be built DIRECTLY behind this 601 W Broad St site. The relocation of the proposed rec center to this site and the use of this proposed parking deck would mitigate the adverse effects the currently proposed rec center would have on surrounding neighborhood’s street parking for residents and neighborhood business clientele.

What stood out there to me was Pool’s comment, “It is illogical to put your recreational facilities not where your dormitories are,” which is just a continued NIMBY stance. Oregon Hill has resisted VCU expansion and forced the school to move into other neighborhoods. Yet the benifits the school brings to this city adds to Oregon Hill just as much as anyone else.