Mayo Bridge Survey Results, Killer Mike, and the Recovery Housing Industry
Cheers RVA!
Today remains similarly cool with a high of 79, light winds, and temperatures dropping to 62 in the evening.
the juice:
The VDOT has released it’s results from the Mayo Bridge Replacement Project survey and will hold a citizen information meeting September 17th.
Over 1300 citizens completed the survey, which were summarized across five categories.
Regarding traffic concerns, the overwhelming majority (86%) prioritized bike and pedestrian safety over reducing traffic delay or traffic volume.
In terms of overall priorities of the new bridge, non-car facilities were again in the majority, along with other feedback.
Originally the bridge was only going to need rehabilitation, but now the plan is to replace the entire bridge at a projected cost approaching $200 million.
The proposed options include minimal width designs and wider width designs which would allow for bike lanes in both directions.
Disappointingly, none of the designs include a buffer zone between cars and cyclists, but they do include a 4’ buffer between the bike lane and sidewalk and/or recreational path.
It seems like the buffer should be between vehicles and the bike path, rather than grouping vehicles, buses and cyclists together.
In 2022, Los Angeles opened their $588 million 6th street viaduct bridge with no buffer between traffic and the bike lane, but a buffer between the bike lane and recreational path. Since then small rubber bumps have been installed to increase “safety”.
The safest way to construct bike lanes is to have them physically divided from cars, via a barrier or parked car, rather than directly adjacent.
Poorly designed bike lanes also discourage less experienced cyclists from using the path.
The public meeting with be September 17th from 5 - 7 pm at the RVA Plan Office on Hull St.
the pulp:
The Stadium in the Diamond District will officially be known as CarMax Park. The first CarMax retail store opened in Richmond in 1993.
Rapper and activist Killer Mike is scheduled to speak as part of a panel on ‘The Future of Free Expression’ at the University of Richmond, Friday at 6:30 pm. Tickets are free and available here.
the dive:
A CheersRVA reader recently recommended a series of investigative articles on Richmond’s Recovery Housing Industry.
The author, Christa Motley, lives in Richmond and works in private investigations.
Back in 2022, she wanted to know more about the millions of dollars being awarded to a small non-profit, the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences.
She begins with the reality that recovery from addiction is a difficult process for anyone, and how clinical treatment and recovery homes are essential in the process:
When ethically run, a recovery home offers a safe, supportive, drug and alcohol-free environment that can help a person make it through the arduous phase of early recovery without relapsing.
How regulated is the recovery home industry?
Despite providing a critical public service, recovery homes exist largely in an oversight vacuum. In Virginia, as in most states, these group homes are not licensed or regulated by the state. Anyone can open a recovery house, regardless of their qualifications, background or commitment to maintaining their own sobriety. As the industry has exploded in recent years, so has public concern about the quality and safety of these residential environments.
The ongoing 8-part series is in-depth, and provides direct insider accounts as well as context in the bigger picture of the recovery housing industry in the Richmond area.
Henrico County Supervisors will meet publicly today to discuss an array of topics, including potential corruption in the recovery home industry.
Motley intends to provide a summary of Henrico’s public session soon.
Check out the investigative series here.
the vibe:
Local artist RobertThomas David Wiebe-King posted this oil painting on reddit.
Have a brilliant day RVA!
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