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March 14 Newsletter: The new Brown's Island

Weather: Cool spring weather continues with a high of 60.

On this date in 2008, the cost of residential heating oil increases another 12 cents, to an all-time high of $3.59 per gallon. The city estimates that 15% of homes use oil heat at the time.

As design committee OKs revised Brown’s Island plan, members weigh corporate vibe vs. ‘wildness’

Richmond’s $30 million plan to revamp Brown’s Island is picking up speed, and could begin by the end of the year.

Tuesday, the city's Urban Design Committee reviewed and signed off on plans for the new design, which will add a wide variety of features.

  • They added some suggestions, though, asking designers to better connect the island with the James River.

View the proposal, as well as renderings of the island's future, here.

Schools’ ask for extra $30.8 million draws some concern but little conversation from Council committee

During a committee meeting Friday, City Council members asked Superintendent Jason Kamras to sit down for a series of one-on-one meetings to explain the RPS request for additional funding during this budget cycle.

“We’ve continued to invest and invest and invest," Chair Stephanie Lynch said. "Where is that actually getting the students and families?”

  • Some councilors appeared caught off guard by the plan presented by Kamras, even though it was approved by the School Board last week.

Read more on the meeting here.

Also in education:

Mary Munford principal faces life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle

Greg Muzik, the longtime principal of Mary Munford Elementary School, was hospitalized with what police described as life-threatening injuries on Tuesday night. No update on his health has been made available since.

Supporters are planning a bike parade in Muzik's honor to show their support on Friday.

They plan to meet at 4:30 p.m. at Albert Hill Middle School, and ride together to Mary Munford. They are asking participants to wear red, the school's color. Read more here.

John Marshall sets VHSL record as it wins state title

Death, taxes and John Marshall basketball.

The Justices put on a show at the Siegel Center on Thursday night as they won another state title, becoming the first team to score 100 points in a VHSL championship basketball game.

The Justices are seemingly the most polarizing team in Virginia high school sports. Read why, and reaction from opponents, here.

Also in sports:

VCU's numbers suggest it is headed to the NCAA tournament. So why are fans worried?

In other news

The editor's desk

Graham Moomaw taught me something in today's lead story: Brown's Island is largely man-made. According to the city, "An 1809 map shows open water at this location, but by 1817, maps depict a recognizable Brown’s Island. The island probably began as a sandbar that was eventually shaped into an island by a combination of pilings, alluvial deposits, and fill." Now it's ready for a 21st-century makeover.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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