The Hickory Hill Community Center, a former school building, is arguably as well-used as any community center in the city, and is particularly important as an anchor of stability and constructive public activity in an area making the most of its few public amenities. Yet the city administration has chosen the site for a fire training facility. Plans include takeover of the auditorium (currently in use by the community) and office space, and using adjacent greenspace (currently in use by the community) for a 1.5 acre concrete pad plus a two story “burn building” on the grounds to stage fires augmented with additional smoke.
The proposal is opposed by all adjacent civic associations, nonprofits including Serene Wildlife Sanctuary and Southside Releaf, as well as informed citizens from the Second, Third, and Fourth Council Districts who want their tax dollars used for the benefit of all Richmond citizens. The project has been presented to both the Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission. Both have voted against it. Yet it appears that the city administration still intends to proceed with this proposal even though citizens and advisory bodies all oppose it.
