Sheila Hill-Christian, Richmond’s chief administrative officer, announced yesterday a plan to bring “bus rapid-transit” and eventually a light rail to Richmond from Shockoe Bottom to Willow Lawn, and eventually extend the line to Short Pump. That is the best news I’ve heard in a long time that truly indicates that Richmond is looking to its future and planning ahead. On the other hand, I think they should go straight for the light rail system, or something comperable. I’m not sure how many Richmonders will be convinced to give up their car just to ride another bus. Especially if they already own the cars. Shouldn’t we just do it right the first time?
What will make folks ride the high speed bus? More traffic, higher gas prices, and incentives from employers or the City that encourage them to.
In our family, I can see us using it, especially if the price of gas continues to go up if they are willing to pick up at major intersections, not just bus stations. But, will that defeat the whole purpose and slow the bus down? Also, where will they provide parking at Willow Lawn and Short Pump for all those cars, for the folks that drive to the bus stations? Will they include alternate energy resources in the plan? This project will require regional cooperation. Can the counties and city ever agree? Can they really work together for the sake of the greater good of the Richmond Region? So many questions to be answered!

GRTC is seeking state funding to design and engineer the service, called “bus rapid transit,” as a less-expensive alternative to building a light-rail system to serve downtown and the rest of the region.

“Long-term, the best solution is rail,” said John T. Lewis Jr., GRTC’s chief executive officer. “But let’s recognize the funding realities.”

In a statement released yesterday, Sheila Hill-Christian, Richmond’s chief administrative officer, said the city is “committed to the development of rapid bus transit as a precursor to light rail development, which is so strongly needed.”

….

The buses wouldn’t be the same as the ones that lumber through downtown now. The buses would carry up to 90 passengers — who would board at stations rather than curbside stops — and employ a technology that limits time spent waiting at stoplights.

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Congratulations to us! The Near West End News, along with all of the other community blogs that started in 2007 were honored with the Best New Blog award from RVA News.

Here they are: Carver & Jackson Ward News, Chesterfield Daily, Church Hill People’s News, The Fan District Hub, Hills and Heights, Near West End News, North Richmond News, Oregon Hill, Petersburg People’s News, River District News, West of the Boulevard News. (See links to the lower right).

Also of note, my buddy, TRIgirl 40, won the Best Topical Blog with her Journey to Ironman blog.

The West of the Boulevard News reports on a crime spree targeting cars in the in the Museum District and Carytown. If you check out the crime location map they’ve provided, you’ll see that 3 of the 21 break-ins and other crimes include cars that were west of 195, in the Near West End.
Some basic safety tips from the site:

1. Don’t leave valuables in your car

2. If your car is broken into, report it to police

3. If you see any suspicious activity, report that to the police as well (emergencies - 911, non-emergencies - 646.5100)

For Henrico, the non emergency number is 501-5000.

Henrico County based retailer, A&N, with locations near Patterson and Libbie and on Broad Street near Parham Road, has annouced it will close all of its 48 locations.

The Henrico County-based retailer of athletic footwear and sportswear cites increasing competition, sluggish sales and mounting losses for its decision. A liquidation sale began Friday.
The family-owned company had pursued other alternatives, including selling the athletic footwear and sportswear chain.

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In addition to University of RIchmond football coach Dave Clawson leaving UR to head for Tennessee,, Richmond wide receivers coach Latrell Scott head to UT as well, as a wide receivers coach.

Scott, 31, interviewed with Fulmer on Friday, the same day Tennessee officially announced it had hired Richmond coach Dave Clawson as its offensive coordinator.

On Saturday, Scott joined his former head coach at a press conference in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center to announce their arrival.

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Jhade Douglas, 13, is missing and she was last seen in the West End of Henrico. If you have any information on her, please call Henrico Police at 501-5000.

Authorities say 13-year-old Jhade Douglas was reported missing by her mother Sunday. Her mother is concerned because Jhade is in need of medication, and because Jhade may be in the company of some older teenagers possibly involved in criminal activity.

She was last seen in the vicinity of the Cloisters Apartments in the West End of Henrico around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. She was seen walking with a Hispanic female, and may also be hanging around a 16-year-old Hispanic male. Authorities say Jhade may also be driving around, though she is not old enough to hold a license.

Police said that Jhade could be in or near a number of Henrico County apartment complexes, including The Cloisters, Nottingham Green Apartments, Hunter’s Ridge Apaprtments and some apartments on Staples Mill Road.

Jhade was last seen wearing a black Baby Phat jacket with fur trim, blue jeans, a white, graffiti-style Powder-puff Girls tee shirt, and white, orange and red Nike sneakers.

Jhade is a black female, about 5 foot 4, weighing 125 pounds. She also goes by the names of Elmo and Jay-D-Boo.

Anyone with information is asked to call Henrico Police at 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000

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You know that abandoned Ukrops on Patterson Avenue, just East of Gaskins Road? Good news, They may be turning it into a medical office building. It is a great location, I’m not sure why it took so long for someone to do something with the property.

Bon Secours-Richmond Health System is proposing to renovate the 30,000-square-foot building on Patterson Avenue, just east of Gaskins Road, for medical offices and an express-care center.

The Henrico Planning Commission voted 5-0 yesterday to endorse the proposal for the nearly four-acre site. County planners support the request, saying medical offices would generate less traffic than the grocery store did.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the request Feb. 12.

Ukrop’s opened its grocery store there in 1975 but left two years ago after deciding the building was too small to meet customers’ needs.

The Bon Secours project, called the Patterson Avenue Ambulatory Care Facility, would not displace an aquarium store that’s a tenant in the building, county officials said.

Jhade Douglas, who was reported missing earlier this week, has been found.

Henrico County police said today that authorities found a missing 13-year-old girl.

Jhade Alicia Douglas had been reported missing by her mother on Jan. 6. Police put out an alert Friday asking for help in finding the girl.

Police said the girl was located unharmed at a friend’s home in Henrico by school resource officers.

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Conner is a classmate of my daughter. He has struggled with cancer for over 2.5 years. His family wants to make it easier for other kids who are diagnosed with cancer.
So, his parent’s, Steven and Lisa Goodwin, and his physician, Dr. Mary Michael Schweiker, are joining with the Mary Munford community to create bags and backpacks filled with art supplies and other goodies to newly-diagnosed patients, all part of a program called Conner’s Heroe’s.

On Saturday, January 26, 2008, starting at 10:00 am, over 30 volunteers will convene at the cafeteria at Mary Munford Elementary School to assemble approximately 80 Heroes Bags and 80 Heroes Backpacks, which will be given to every child diagnosed with cancer and treated at the Children’s Medical Center at VCU Health System in Richmond, Virginia. This program has been funded for one year by a grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, who also have been invited to attend.

If you are able to come help with their mission, or can help volunteer your time, contact Lisa Goodwin, Conner’s mom at lisa@connorsheroes.org or
804-305-4280.
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Univesity of Richmond swimmer, Nicole LePere, was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the week after a stellar performance on Saturday.

Freshman swimmer Nicole LePere was tabbed the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week after her performance in Richmond’s dual meet versus Maryland Saturday. The freshman captured her first collegiate gold medal with a win in the 200 back.

LePere paced the field in the event, winning in a lifetime best time of 2:05.66. The freshman continues the Spiders’ Atlantic 10 dominance in the 200 back. Currently Richmond owns the top four times, with LePere’s time ranking fourth.

A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., LePere also swam the fly on the Spiders’ third-place 200 medley relay (1:49.68), took fourth in the 200 fly (2:08.79) and fourth in the 100 fly (59.34). Richmond lost to Maryland, 150-121 in the meet.

The A-10 honor for LePere is the first of her career.

Richmond returns to action Sunday, January 27 versus William & Mary for the team’s only home event. The Senior Day meet begins at 1 p.m. at the Robins Center Natatorium.

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