The Wrap: An update on The GRTC Pulse, the meals tax hike, a new rooftop bar, and more

Photo: @flytoptix

The week in brief

Good afternoon, Wrap readers! We made it to the end of another week. Here’s a look at the week’s news and a preview of the weekend events.

Remember when a committee drew a name out of a hat earlier this month to decide the balance of power in the General Assembly? Well, a new committee wants to make sure that if such a crazy scenario happens again, we actually have a more solid protocol to go by. Here’s what they aim to do.

In other political news, Mayor Stoney gave the State of the City address this week and in it, he proposed raising the city’s meals tax by 1.5% to a total of 7.5% on prepared meals. That money could raise $9 million in its first year alone towards the future construction of five new schools and repairs to existing facilities outlined in a facilities plan the School Board put together last month. It isn’t without its critics, though. Here’s a full look at the proposal.

On Wednesday, 2nd District Richmond City Councilwoman Kim Gray held a town hall meeting at The Broadberry to give business owners and residents an update on the GRTC Pulse project. Tensions were high, as many attendees lamented the perceived lack of communication about the project, a miscommunication about the scheduled completion date (for the record, the project is on time; a completion date of the end of 2017 would have meant a $3 million incentive for the contractor, Lane Construction), and confusion over why that pot of money can’t be used to reimburse businesses along the corridor who claim their sales have suffered as a result of construction activities and either temporary or permanent loss of parking. The good news is we have a general completion date now–and it’s sooner than you probably think! I’ll lay it all out for you here.

Local civil rights icon Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker passed away this past week in South Richmond. Local leaders paid tribute to him, and our Capitol News Service team wrote up a nice feature on his life and contributions. Check it out here.

Miss this past weekend’s Carytown Women’s March? Check out a recap and see videos and photos here.

Did you know the building that houses Carytown Burgers & Fries is nearly 200 years old and was a former toll taker’s house along Westham Plank Road (now W. Cary Street)? Owners of the surrounding, and arguably ugly, shopping center are mulling plans to demolish the entire center to bring in a Publix grocery store, among other uses, and that would mean the historic house would also be razed. Whether or not this building is of actual historic significance is a hot topic on a Facebook thread I started earlier this week. Weigh in here. Get the full back story and see the petition here.

Speaking of old structures, check out the history of the handsome Westbrook Plantation, which once stood on the site of what is now the Westminster Canterbury senior living facility right here.

Five things to know

1. A taller building that will add some density to the Scott’s Addition area may soon replace Movement Church on Cutshaw Avenue.
2. A new rooftop bar opens this weekend atop The Graduate Hotel–at least for one day, until spring.
3. Coyotes are on the loose in Lakeside, apparently.
4. A beloved Westover Hills comic shop has close its doors.
5. HCPS is holding a major job fair next month. Here’s how you can take part.

SaveSave