UPDATE! Please do not comment your opinions here, please email them to westoverhillsna@gmail.com
Hi neighbors, As the city moves forward towards a Phase 1 reopening, there have been suggestions around allowing outdoor dining to expand into parking lots, sidewalks, etc. There have also been ideas around expanding pedestrian-friendly open spaces, which could include public streets.
The City of Richmond is working with Richmond City Council to engage neighborhood associations and merchant associations to get their input on this short-term initiative. Councilwoman Kristen Larson reached out to me on behalf of WHNA to share our feedback. I, personally, like this idea as a way to support our local businesses and keep our community safely connected, but strongly welcome your thoughts as I share a representative voice of our neighborhood.
Please email your input and feedback to me at westoverhillsna@gmail.com by Thursday May 28.
Take care,
Ashley Hall
WHNA President
I think it is a great idea
Anything to help our local businesses is most welcomed! Whatever the city can do to make this easy on business owners and their staff. thank you!
Clare Greene
I think transforming parking areas and sidewalks into outdoor dining and shopping is a great idea. Someone also suggested closing a section of Riverside Drive, to be pedestrian and bicycles only. If feasible, that would be a lovely amenity.
I do not think that any streets should be used for public streets for pedestrians. These streets in the neighborhood are already to full with pedestrians that I am not even sure belong the the area. Additionally, there are children with parents standing in the streets and look at you when you are driving on the street as if you are in the wrong for driving on the road. There are children with parents on electric boards driving up and down the streets without helmets and at high speeds. This is a very dangerous situation as is and to encourage more use of the streets is a safety hazard. There are people who actually need to drive on the street to and from work. One of the reason that I moved to Westoverhills was due to the quiet nature there.
If people want to socialize then go to one of the nearby parks that we already pay City taxes to keep up!
No objection as long as there are pedestrian pathways.