From Greg Johnson of the Springhill neighborhood:

Dear Richmond Neighbors,
We in the Old and Historic Neighborhood of Springhill request your assistance in opposition to the Manchester on the James development project. The property owner, Floyd “Pat†Patterson, is attempting to get a Special Use Permit to allow Charlotte, North Carolina developer Crosland, to build a massive 200 unit rental apartment complex at the very edge of our historic neighborhood. Although, the project is actually 15 feet outside of the historic district we feel that the enormous size of the structure, the increased traffic congestion and the 50% increase in population density will have a detrimental effect on our community. Springhill is a tiny neighborhood only three blocks wide and four blocks deep.

We feel this is of particular interest to both historic districts and all other neighborhoods, as this apartment complex is being constructed on just over 2 acres. A density of 100 units and 150 cars per acre. There are many one, two and three acre lots in Richmond, and Springhill agrees they should be developed, but developed responsibly and with great consideration of the existing neighborhood fabric. Our established neighborhoods are too fragile to be subjugated to massive development encroachments which are improperly sited and inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood features.

On Monday June 9, 2008, City Council will vote for or against the project. The City of Richmond’s Department of Community Development and our own Councilperson, Marty Jewell, are in favor of the project and will not lend us their support. We are working in concert with the Foresthill and Woodland Heights neighborhood associations, who also oppose the project, to recruit people to attend the City Council Meeting. We have also embarked on a letter writing campaign and a petition that has garnered over 800 signatures.

We would request that you pass along this notice and attend the City Council meeting on Monday June 9, 2008 at 6:00pm in City Council Chambers, 2nd floor 900 East Broad Street. We have been told the only way to stop the adoption of this ordinance, is to have a great citizen turnout. If you are unable to attend, please write or call your Councilperson or the President of Council. Below I have included their contact information. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email me.

Thank you and hope to see you at City Council on Monday, June 9.

On Monday March 24, City Council will consider the amended Special Use Permit for the controversial Springhill development that has gone by various names (Manchester on the James, City View Towers, etc). The Springhill Neighborhood would love to see a full house that evening, and encourage all with concerns about increased rentals and traffic to attend.