Focus Group On The Westover Hills Commercial Area
From the invite;
We want your insight! You’re invited to attend a focus group to discuss your thoughts about the future of the Westover Hills commercial corridor. Your assistance to graduate student researchers from VCU’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning will be most helpful as we establish a plan for revitalization of this historic commercial district.
We are conducting this plan upon the request of City Council President Kathy Graziano, the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association and the Walks at Westover Merchants Association.
What: Focus Group for the Revitalization of the Westover Hills commercial corridor
When: September 24 from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM
Where: Westover Hills Library: 1408 Westover Hills Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23225
Some of the questions that might be discussed.
- What do you like most about the commercial district?
- What should the Westover Hills commercial corridor will look like in 5 years? In 10 years?
- Is Westover Hills a destination for shoppers from the neighborhood? From outside the neighborhood?
- How would you describe the “character” of the neighborhood? OR How would you describe this commercial corridor to someone visiting from out of town?
- How often do you shop locally on this corridor? For what types of items?
- What is the biggest thing missing from the commercial corridor? What in your opinion would make it more of a destination?
- Do you feel safe walking along the commercial corridor during the day? Why or why not? Do you feel safe walking along the commercial corridor at night? Why or why not?
- If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?
- How would you “brand” the Westover Hills Commercial Corridor?
- What types of businesses would you most like to see along the corridor? Why?
- Where along the business corridor do you see the most need for improvement/development/upgrade?
- What would you do to draw more attention to the amenities and assets of Westover Hills?
2 comments – how about lose that church near O’Tooles and make it back into a movie theatre. Eliminate some of the bus stops as they stop way too frequently along forest hill and Roanoke Avenue.
Make the church a reasonable offer…
Richard, any more information on this VCU study regarding the Westover Hills commercial district? I believe there is to be some sort of presentation based on the focus group meetings, conversations with the merchants and input from neighborhood associations. Do you know when that will take place? Thanks.
The study will be presented to the stakeholders December 14th. I’m hoping that, folowing that, the merchants association and the neighborhood associations will also ask for presentations.
Thank you, David. Who are the stakeholders? Where will the presentation take place?
Not sure yet. Announcement will come from VCU, whose graduate students are working the project. There will also be a printed report.