Current News
The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
Joins
Better Housing Coalition
The Alliance is pleased and excited to announce a new step in its evolution and a greater opportunity to improve lives in Richmond. As of January 31, 2011 The Alliance will be moving to become part of the Better Housing Coalition (BHC) family as its Center for Neighborhood Revitalization. The Center will expand BHC services for the Richmond community and continue to provide educational programs and urban revitalization tools for communities and residents.
The Alliance brings to BHC both experience and programs that benefit prospective homeowners in their desire to renovate and preserve older and historic properties; and this opportunity allows The Alliance to increase its capacity of programs and services, thereby continuing its mission of conserving and rebuilding Richmond's neighborhoods. 
The Alliance executive director, David Herring,
will become the vice president of BHC's
Center for Neighborhood Revitalization.
The Alliance property director, Lane Pearson,
will support BHC's Center programs as
revitalization strategy manager.
"Moving Richmond's affordable housing climate forward often requires preserving its past," said T.K. Somanath, president of BHC. "With the skills and knowledge The Alliance staff brings to the table, we can bolster our work to revitalize Richmond's urban core featuring well designed, walkable developments that mix residential and commercial uses, integrating the places we live, work and shop."
John McCann, chairman of BHC's Board of Directors, said, "We also look forward to tapping the talents of Board members from The Alliance, who have provided unwavering support for The Alliance's mission and outreach."
The two organizations are delighted to be integrating programs of The Alliance into Better Housing Coalition in order to continue to strengthen Richmond communities now and for the future.
Option Property at 1514 North 35th Street Sold
The Alliance is pleased to announce that the option property at 1514 North 35th Street has sold! Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity has purchased the property and plans to renovate this circa 1900 Italianate row house and construct new residential infill on the lot. The Alliance looks forward to the combination of renovation, infill construction, and housing opportunities that this project will bring to the historic Oakwood-Chimborazo neighborhood.
2010 Golden Hammer Award Winners Announced!
On Thursday, November 11 over two hundred guests attended the Golden Hammer Awards for 2010, held at the Galanti Education Center. Honored guest Dr. Edward Ayers, President of the University of Richmond, gave inspired remarks on the past, present and future of the city's built environment. Lane Pearson, Property Director at the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, presented on the organization's policy research in receivership, which arises from the Alliance's Option Property Program. Kim Chen, President of the Alliance Board of Directors, presented Board Honorees with plaques. Finally and of no small importance -- the Golden Hammer Awards for 2010 were announced in five categories.
Current Option Property opportunities at the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
Through the Option Property Program, the Alliance encourages the renovation of historic properties in the city of Richmond that might otherwise be demolished. The following properties represent current historic redevelopment opportunities. Click on the address of the property for more information, including square footage, overall condition, zoning, and additional images. Please contact Property Director Lane Pearson at the Alliance for additional information about these properties, for sale through the Alliance Option Property Program, by calling (804) 644-5040.
| PROPERTY IMAGE | ADDRESS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
 |
2902 East Leigh Street | $19,500 |
 |
3014 P Street | $15,000 |
 |
416 North 33rd Street | $108,010 |
 |
3104 2nd Avenue | $33,100 |
 |
2927 Garland Avenue | $52,500 |
 |
1418 North 21st Street | $62,500 |
 |
2428 Venable Street | $52,500 |
 |
2111 Cedar Street | $20,000 |
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Alliance's Option Property Program and to find out more about the properties shown above!
Historic Battery Park Home For Sale: 2909 Edgewood Avenue
SOLD!
This circa 1915 home in the heart of North Richmond's historic Battery Park neighborhood is newly renovated and features 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, beautiful hardwood floors and more. Featuring over 2100 square feet of finished living space, this property is listed for $189,950
NEW PRICE: $180,000.
Contact Realtor Jonathan Orcutt for purchasing information: (804) 241-9194; rmxjon@gmail.com
Click here for more information on 2909 Edgewood Avenue.
Contracts are pending for residential properties in
historic Church Hill North
3014 P Street pictured left, 2621 Q Street pictured right
The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods is happy to announce that purchase contracts are pending on two Option Properties in the Church Hill North State and Federal Historic Districts. The residences at 2621 Q Street and 3014 P Street have been vacant and deteriorating in the middle of a historic urban neighborhood for many years, and should be sold and rehabilitated soon. It is the goal of the Alliance that the purchase of these properties will bring energy to Church Hill North's revitalization, as we work to locate responsible buyers and contractors to reinvest in these Option Properties.
UPDATE: 2621 Q Street has SOLD!
The Alliance is excited to announce that 2621 Q Street and its adjoining neighbor, 2623 Q Street, have sold. Historic rehabilitation of these row houses will begin in early 2011.
Victorian Style Ginter Park Home is a Great Fixer Upper
CLICK HERE for a locator map of 3408 Hawthorne Avenue.
Ginter Park Historic District is home to dozens of grand Victorian "streetcar suburb" houses, and this 1908 residence is one great example. This frame house has a stucco exterior, generous rooms, a wide front porch, and a slate roof. Described as a perfect fixer upper, the home has six bedrooms and two and a-half baths. Check out a few images HERE. The total assessed value of the property is $233,000, but it is listed - as is - for 195,000. For more information on this Hawthorne Avenue residence, call Dennis Garza at (804) 340-0840 or email Dennis.Garza@lonagandfoster.com.
CLICK HERE for further details on 3408 Hawthorne Avenue.
2311 M Street in Union Hill For Sale!
Click here for a locator map
This charming Italianate townhouse located in historic Union Hill is for sale by Realtor Dave Seibert. Newly renovated, the 1910 home has two bedrooms, two and a-half bathrooms and new HVAC and utilities. The residence is 1,560 square feet and historic attributes such as floors, mantels, and railings have been restored. Please CLICK HERE for more information and images.
Contact Realtor Dave Seibert for purchasing information.
(804) 201-7220; (804) 346-4411 DaveS@longandfoster.com
Task force on the Commission of Architectural Review publishes Report on C.A.R. Guidelines & Processes
The Task Force to Review the Processes and Guidelines of the Commission of Architectural Review was established in July 2009. Meeting throughout the fall and winter of 2009 and the spring of 2010, the Task Force elicited public input on C.A.R. membership, appeals process, official guidelines, role of staff, and the City Ordinance which established the Commission. The Task Force created subcommittees to make studied recommendations based on public input and investigation of other jurisdictions' architectural review boards. From the introduction: "The Task Force wishes to affirm the importance of historic preservation to the revitalization of the City and specifically to the creation of old and historic districts, the work performed by the Commission of Architectural Review and the Commission's Staff."
Read the full report HERE.
Agenda of the Commission of Architectural Review meeting August 24th.
Previous Relevant Process Documents:
- SUBCOMMITTEE ON GUIDELINES REPORT
- SUBCOMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP REPORT
- SUBCOMMITTEE ON PROCESS AND PROCEDURES REPORT
The Better Housing Coalition Undertakes
Renovation Project at 2012 Fairmount Avenue
CLICK HERE for a locator map.
Better Housing Coalition will undergo the renovation of a ca. 1895, Queen Anne home on Fairmount Ave. The house is adjacent to BHC’s award winning home 2008 Fairmount Avenue, winner of the 2009 Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods Best Residential Renovation Award (pictured below). The 1860 square foot home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 
The BHC will retain the historic character of the home while making it livable again for an individual or family. The original floor plan will be retained in addition to original mantels, flooring, windows and trim where possible. A generous bay window is featured in the 1st floor living room and the 2nd floor master bedroom. The house has a spacious front porch and rear deck. A new security system, lawn and front planting bed is included. During the renovation the house will be updated with new, innovative, green features that will bring substantial savings in energy costs. CLICK HERE for more information.
Interested parties should contact Alison Snow at a.snow@betterhousingcoalition.org or Mary Witt at m.witt@betterhousingcoalition.org.
Blogging for the home renovator: Historic rehabilitation in
Richmond neighborhoods
Ever been curious about what it takes to renovate an old home? From the tricks of the tax credit trade, to the process of upgrading an outdated HVAC system, these blogs will shed light on the process of historic home rehabilitation. The projects below are just a few of the tax credit projects underway at the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods. For more information on our affordable tax credit program, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to see the progress on 2012 Barton Avenue.
CLICK HERE to find out about 865 North 22nd Street.
SOLD !
Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods negotiates a sale of a former Oliver Lawrence Property in the in Oakwood-Chimborazo Historic District
CLICK HERE to view the story and video by Rachel DePompa of WWBT NBC12 News
(Pictured below: 421-423 North 33rd Street)
Located in the Oakwood-Chimborazo State and National Register Historic Districts, this circa 1910 Classical Revival house has been SOLD through our Option Property Program. The Alliance, Virginia Commonwealth Bank, Dave Seibert with Long & Foster Realtors worked collaboratively to facilitate the sale of this historic house formerly owned by Oliver Lawrence. Lawrence was convicted last fall of more than 180 property maintenance violations. Renovation work has already started to this formerly vacant house and we look forward to tracking the progress of this rehabilitation that will utilize historic tax credits to guide the project.
CLICK HERE to visit our Option Properties page for other renovation opportunities
Check out these Chamberlayne Avenue Properties...
Before it's too Late!
Houses Featured on NBC 12 News: Click Here to view the story & video
(Pictured below 4200 & 4204 Chamberlayne Ave)
The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods encourages interested renovators, contractors, and developers to investigate these THREE north side properties
located at the corner of Chamberlayne and Bellevue Avenue and now available at the incredible price of $425,000. Sold as a 
package only, this deal includes 2 homes and one land parcel, and is a great opportunity to make an impact in a neighborhood with strong fabric and an already vibrant community. Both houses are contributing homes on the Virginia Register of Historic Places and qualify for Historic Tax Credits. Demolition on these residences is pending; serious offers should be submitted as soon as possible. Please help to save 4200 and 4202 Chamberlayne Avenue from pending demolition!
To learn more about these properties, check out THIS FLYER (Click here).
CLICK HERE to view interiors of these Ginter Park homes
For purchase information, contact:
Lee Hilbert of Harrison & Bates at (804) 591-2411 or email
lee.hilbert@harrison-bates.com
or Bruce Milam, Vice President (804) 591-2412 or email
bruce.milam@harrison-bates.com
The Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
Vacant & Foreclosed Properties Initiative
826 N. 24th Street ~ Union Hill 
CLICK HERE for pricing and contact information on 826 N. 24th Street in Union Hill.
Essential to the vitality of the city of Richmond, local neighborhoods are the primary focus of the vacant and foreclosed properties initiative. Many of the neighborhoods that give Richmond its charm and special quality of place are threatened by vacancy and blight, especially in those communities with strong historic roots. Through initiatives like the Option Property Program, the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods is restoring communities, one house at a time. Our staff follows real estate foreclosures and home vacancies closely, in order to identify properties before they are beyond repair and then facilitate their rehabilitation.
CLICK HERE to learn about our current Option Properties.
CLICK HERE to view the City of Richmond's Vacant Building List (compiled Jan. 2010).
To find out about neglected homes in Richmond's historic neighborhoods,
check out Richmond Slumlord Watch
For an article by Richmond BizSense contributor Drew Jackson listing Richmond foreclosures CLICK HERE
Be a Part of the Coalition to Protect Richmond's Historic View Shed and Public Access to the James River!
View of the James River from Libby Hill in Richmond, Virginia (Present Day)
In the on-going discussion over the most appropriate use of the banks of the James River, Richmond's defining natural feature, local residents are taking a stand and inviting fellow citizens to join them. Neighborhood activists, conservationists, historians, and James River enthusiasts have created an online "Riverfront Petition" and are filling it with the signatures of residents who share their concern for protecting access to public park space in downtown Richmond. The goal is to demonstrate to City Council that 
Richmonders value the natural landscape and view from the vantage point of Libby Hill Park. According to Richmond lore the city was so-named for this picturesque view of the southern bend in the river. To the American city's founders, this view resembled the Thames River at Richmond outside of London, England (Richmond Upon Thames, London, UK pictured left).
CLICK HERE to find out more! Sign the petition to save "The View that Named the City" and preserve public access to the James River at this historic site.
Preservation Consultant Services Now Offered at the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods
A "One-Stop-Shop" for Historic Home Renovators
If you are the owner of a historic home in a City Old & Historic District or considering purchasing property in one of Richmond's historic neighborhoods, then our preservation consultants may have something to offer you. From nuts and bolts rehabilitation advice, to tax credit consulting, to helping you attain C.A.R. approval for your renovation project, Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods consultants will facilitate your historic home renovation.
Please CLICK HERE for details about Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods Preservation Consultant Services
