A development company has scaled back its plan to build a student-oriented apartment complex by Virginia Commonwealth University's Siegel Center, but the project continues to receive mixed reviews in the Carver neighborhood.
Gilbane Development Co. is seeking City Council approval of a 163-unit, 498-bedroom mixed-use complex in the 1200 block of West Marshall Street. The five-story development is scheduled to be considered by the Planning Commission on Monday and the City Council on July 25.
An opening in August 2012, just before VCU's fall semester, is targeted.
Gilbane initially proposed a total of 277 units and 895 bedrooms in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Marshall, but it's now seeking approval for only 163 units in the 1200 block.
"The numbers on 1300 are going to have to change. We understand that," said Andrew M. Condlin, an attorney for Gilbane. "We may not even go forward with 1300."
But the plan isn't sitting well with some residents, who have found support from City Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Mayor Dwight C. Jones' administration.
Barbara Abernathy, a longtime Carver resident, said the neighborhood already has too much VCU student housing. She worries about more competition for street parking and wants to protect Carver's historic character of predominantly single-family homes.
She said she believes Gilbane's plans for the 1200 and 1300 blocks should be considered together and worries about what Carver might look like in 10 years if VCU encroachment is allowed to continue.
"How much more can this little community hold?" she asked.
Gilbane's plan for the 1200 block calls for a mix of new construction and a renovation of the 1930 Hajoca plumbing company building, and it includes 221 off-street parking spaces, plus 156 bicycle rack spaces. The units would range from studios to four bedrooms and be allowed to have exterior locks on interior doors, giving tenants an additional level of security.
Condlin said many VCU students are already living in single-family homes in Carver, and he suggested that Gilbane's plan could free up those properties for nonstudents. He said the 1200 block of Marshall is a transition area between the Siegel Center on West Broad and the more-traditional, single-family section of Carver.
"It's a very dark, dead area," he said of the project site.
The Carver Area Civic Improvement League has voted 13-10 to not support the Gilbane proposal, despite an endorsement by the neighborhood group's real-estate committee.
Margaret Rush, president of the Carver civic group, said she personally supports the plan for the 1200 block of Marshall and praised Gilbane as responsive to neighborhood concerns. She said she believes development of the property is inevitable and unlikely to be single- or two-family homes.
Having bought her home seven years ago, Rush said she likes the energy that comes with living close to VCU and is eager to see the 1200 block become more than a fenced partly vacant lot covered with gravel and glass.
"I think this could be a real improvement," she said.
Gilbane also is developing a 160-unit, 540-bedroom apartment complex geared for VCU students on West Canal, between South Adams and South Foushee streets, in downtown Richmond. The complex is scheduled to open this fall.
Samuels, whose 2nd District includes Carver, said he believes the neighborhood could benefit from a comprehensive approach to development in the 1200 block of Marshall. Still, he said he'll support residents who believe the plan for 163 units is too dense.
"The neighbors and I are going to have to work to convince the majority of council," he said.
The mayor doesn't get a vote, but his administration also is registering its objection.
"The administration has advised Gilbane that we are in support of this type of development, but we share the community's concerns that this particular project is larger than we would like it to be," said Tammy D. Hawley, the mayor's press secretary.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement