3287 replies to this topic

[majors2410]

The counties are at the problem not the city. All the tax base is in the counties and they wont share at all.

[burt]

An empty lot on Marshall near 2nd Street in Jackson Ward is generating interest among developers and the Urban Land Institute.  Some, like Ron Stallings whose projects include The Taylor Mansion and Hippodrome Theatre, are urging a mixed use sturcture with retail and restaurants on the ground level while others suggest a boutique-style hotel.

It's another matter that probably will be studied to death.

From Carol Hazard in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-wa-ar-1647465/

Edited by burt, 29 January 2012 - 12:33 PM.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Of course, with the case of the ballpark, well, the reason the Braves left us was because we needed to get a clue. The Diamond was aging. And it was showing. The city went a year without baseball, then the Squirrels came. They weren't exactly happy with the state of the park, but still spent about 2 million on renovations. Now, the head of the team has threatened to leave. Its a domino effect. The park ages, the city refuses to replace, the team leaves, another team comes, repeat. Highwoods made a pretty well devised proposal, but the only wrong was the fact that it was placed in the Bottom, not in the Boulevard, where everyone wanted it... but have we ever thought of that being at the Boulevard? It was a nice mixed use proposal, shops, hotel, ballpark, offices, even a museum, but how about doing all that at the current proposed site? It's all a matter about thinking. But of course the city will find some reason to stall it, in this case (and in many cases) it's making studies, something that we Richmonders have loved to hate.

However, in the case of the Coliseum, the city came out with that long, lengthy study proposal of the new "Richmond Arena", a modern facility that would have snagged back all of the big name acts JPJ has stolen ever since it was built. It would have had more seats, it came up with all the possible sites, compared RVA with other markets, and came up with the total costs for the project. But where is the action? Where is our arena? The thing that the city just doesn't understand is that action speaks louder than words. Money of course we can't blame for not building, but I mean come ON.... we have been at this replacement case for YEARS now.... and with this major sports event coming up and hundreds of thousands of people booking out hotels, doesn't the city think it should at least build the arena for looks? And for the residents, the shows? The events? The national recognition? Just imagine, Richmond on live TV around the world, showing off it's brand new arena and coliseum, or showing off its 40-year old eyesore that's falling apart. I just want to know THIS much, City Council, where is the action?

[eandslee]

wrldcoupe4, on 29 January 2012 - 08:35 AM, said:

I think the City is ready and on board, particularly for the new ballpark. It's the regional partners dragging their feet this time.

I can see why they are dragging their feet...it's because the city wants the counties to front some money, but the facility will be on city property and the city ultimately benefits, not the counties.  Additionally, the counties know that the facility will be mismanaged just like everything else the city does.  They probably take a stance that the facility would be better on their soil.  I'm just guessing, but I might be right on this one....

[540_804]

burt, on 29 January 2012 - 11:06 AM, said:

An empty lot on Marshall near 2nd Street in Jackson Ward is generating interest among developers and the Urban Land Institute.  Some, like Ron Stallings whose projects include The Taylor Mansion and Hippodrome Theatre, are urging a mixed use sturcture with retail and restaurants on the ground level while others suggest a boutique-style hotel.

It's another matter that probably will be studied to death.

From Carol Hazard in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-wa-ar-1647465/

Hmm.

I just dont see any kind of hotel working right there.

It's not really the nicest (or safest) corner in Jackson Ward.

There are a few residential projects on that block (and even a few relatively high-end condos a block or two north) that suggest that residential could work there, though.

Before any work is done on this plot, I'd really like to see the stretch of 2nd street between Broad and Marshall revitalized. So many of those store fronts are delapidated and boarded up. I'm not sure who owns them but there should be some penalty for keeping them in their current state. Even if they sat empty, a bit of facade improvements would go a long way.

To be fair, many of the store fronts on that stretch of 2nd are occupied, but the 3 or 4 that are vacant (and boarded up) are enough to make the block look abandoned when viewed from Broad.

[wrldcoupe4]

eandslee, on 29 January 2012 - 02:50 PM, said:

I can see why they are dragging their feet...it's because the city wants the counties to front some money, but the facility will be on city property and the city ultimately benefits, not the counties.  Additionally, the counties know that the facility will be mismanaged just like everything else the city does.  They probably take a stance that the facility would be better on their soil.  I'm just guessing, but I might be right on this one....

Have to disagree here... The regional consensus is that the Boulevard (which happens to be in the City) is the best location for a ballpark.... any project that requires regional funds would not be run by the City but rather a regional entity with regional representation such as the RMA. They have a decent history of financial management.

[wrldcoupe4]

RVA-Is-The-Best, on 29 January 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

Of course, with the case of the ballpark, well, the reason the Braves left us was because we needed to get a clue. The Diamond was aging. And it was showing. The city went a year without baseball, then the Squirrels came. They weren't exactly happy with the state of the park, but still spent about 2 million on renovations. Now, the head of the team has threatened to leave. Its a domino effect. The park ages, the city refuses to replace, the team leaves, another team comes, repeat. Highwoods made a pretty well devised proposal, but the only wrong was the fact that it was placed in the Bottom, not in the Boulevard, where everyone wanted it... but have we ever thought of that being at the Boulevard? It was a nice mixed use proposal, shops, hotel, ballpark, offices, even a museum, but how about doing all that at the current proposed site? It's all a matter about thinking. But of course the city will find some reason to stall it, in this case (and in many cases) it's making studies, something that we Richmonders have loved to hate.

However, in the case of the Coliseum, the city came out with that long, lengthy study proposal of the new "Richmond Arena", a modern facility that would have snagged back all of the big name acts JPJ has stolen ever since it was built. It would have had more seats, it came up with all the possible sites, compared RVA with other markets, and came up with the total costs for the project. But where is the action? Where is our arena? The thing that the city just doesn't understand is that action speaks louder than words. Money of course we can't blame for not building, but I mean come ON.... we have been at this replacement case for YEARS now.... and with this major sports event coming up and hundreds of thousands of people booking out hotels, doesn't the city think it should at least build the arena for looks? And for the residents, the shows? The events? The national recognition? Just imagine, Richmond on live TV around the world, showing off it's brand new arena and coliseum, or showing off its 40-year old eyesore that's falling apart. I just want to know THIS much, City Council, where is the action?

Sure there was political wrangling, but the Highwoods proposal sunk because of the economy. Had it been the original Shockoe Bottom plan instead of the sham that was originally proposed, it may have been built. The same plan could have fallen into place on the Boulevard, which is arguably a better location for a large scale mixed use project. They are pre-occupied with redeveloping Innsbrook now.

Regarding the Coliseum, an arena is a regional attraction and like the ballpark, convention center, airport, etc, and any new arena should be funded regionally. Until there is some consensus on a funding mechanism (there are several - see Oklahoma City or the suggestion to add $1 or $2 to each airfare at RIC), I can't imagine we make progress here. Regional cooperation (i.e. regional $$$) is key to success on both the ballpark and arena.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Of course I am ecstatic about Innsbrook, but then again, that's Henrico's priority. Since most likely people are going to be seeing DOWNTOWN in depth in 2015 when they (the spectators) come, more than likely they are going to have a negative perception on our aging facility. I think that someone should make it their priority to develop the coliseum.

[wrldcoupe4]

Point was, that Highwoods won't be the player that makes a new arena or ballpark happen now...

Personally, I'd take more street level retail, restaurants, and human scale amenities over a new coliseum if we are trying to impress the 2015 crowd. Bike lanes, better infrastructure maintenance, street lighting, landscaping, improved riverfront access, continuing strides in improving public safety, wayfinding signage, multimodal transit center with enhanced public transit service (BRT for starters). I think we could make great strides in all of those areas for the same cost of a new Coliseum.

Chicken or the egg... but I would be more enthusiastic about a new Coliseum if we had a better set of tenants for it. Richmond hasn't been seen as a strong market for pro basketball or pro hockey. Large concerts won't pay all the bills. Keeping the CAA tourney is important, but does the cost/benefit pan out for a $150-300 million arena? Also, the location the recent study proposed for a new arena is awful. Too close to VCUHS surrounded by too many buildings that don't/won't cater to the street level pedestrian.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

wrldcoupe4, on 01 February 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

Point was, that Highwoods won't be the player that makes a new arena or ballpark happen now...

Personally, I'd take more street level retail, restaurants, and human scale amenities over a new coliseum if we are trying to impress the 2015 crowd. Bike lanes, better infrastructure maintenance, street lighting, landscaping, improved riverfront access, continuing strides in improving public safety, wayfinding signage, multimodal transit center with enhanced public transit service (BRT for starters). I think we could make great strides in all of those areas for the same cost of a new Coliseum.

Chicken or the egg... but I would be more enthusiastic about a new Coliseum if we had a better set of tenants for it. Richmond hasn't been seen as a strong market for pro basketball or pro hockey. Large concerts won't pay all the bills. Keeping the CAA tourney is important, but does the cost/benefit pan out for a $150-300 million arena? Also, the location the recent study proposed for a new arena is awful. Too close to VCUHS surrounded by too many buildings that don't/won't cater to the street level pedestrian.

Definetely.... all of those things you just named probably comes up to the cost of one coliseum. And all of these (especially the BRT) covers a LARGE area. And it will aesthetically boost the city in looks, something people don't exactly give Richmond high marks for now. But I completely support building all of this before 2015 and before a coliseum. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a few chain restaurants stores (Macy's, Dillard's, ANYTHING) and attractive street lamps and benches and signs in downtown. These people will need to be entertained, so if a coliseum won't do it, I just KNOW chain and national brand stores and restaurants will. But we have restaurants covered. We have Buffalo Wild Wings, Bookbinder's, and Morton's The Steakhouse. I think that's good. But maybe also a Chipotle or Chili's. I've got big plans that I can only dream of for my city

[burt]

blake_p, on 27 January 2012 - 01:58 PM, said:

The Riverfront plan implementation has already started:
http://www2.timesdis...oje-ar-1643602/
http://www.richmond-...org/belleIsland

I've heard that the VEPCO leeve bridge and the Missing Link Trial/Greenway were also top priorities on the river front. hopefully the new Brown' Island Bridge (from 5th St) will open soon. It looks complete, but last I was there (a couple of weeks ago) it was still fenced off.

Attention blake_p:

Tthe Brent Halsey bridge connecting Tredegar Street and Brown's Island opened yesterday, Feb. 1st, according to this story by Phil Riggan in today's Richmond dot com:

  http://www2.richmond...and-ar-1658746/

[Steve_]

The new bridge makes sense for when crowds are down there, Im glad to see it was paid for privately - does anyone know who donated this? The 2nd street extension also could be a good thing if they do it right (especially as it crosses the old canal bed), definitely improving river access.

[burt]

Remember the "There/Here" blog about buildings lining the Broad/Grace corridor in downtown Richmond?

Take a look at the entry dated yesterday about studies going on and, if do desired, click "Home" and revisit the entire site, much of which I believe has been updated:  

http://www.therehere.org/citywehave

[burt]

9 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom apartments will be developed in a four-story building on the north side of West Broad near Bowe Street.  That's one block east of Lombardy and about one block west of VCU's Siegel Center.

The developer is a gentleman named Gammino.  I believe he is a candidate for City Council.

I noticed on my last trip to Richmond that the area around Lombardy and Broad Streets seems more active than in the recent past.  The old Firestone building looks as if it has been converted to apartments on upper floors while a Dollar store occupies commercial space at ground level.

From today's Richmond Biz Sense:

http://www.richmondb...for-west-broad/

[540_804]

It's nice to see that building redeveloped. It always surprised me that it wasn't converted. The building just east of it contains some relatively high-priced apartments.

The shorter building to the west of it (visible in the picture shown in the linked Richmond Biz Sense article) has been undergoing renovations (very slowly) for the last few months, though I'm not exactly sure what's planned for it.

[burt]

Soon you will be seeing a 24 foot hight and 59 foot long dimensional dinosaur on Route 30 near I-95 about 25 miles north of Richmond.

It will be a permanent structure advertising a new dinosaur exhibit at Kings Dominion Amusement Park in northern Hanover county.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ark-ar-1674741/

[burt]

Today's Building Permits column in the Richmond Times Dispatch includes this:

"Richmond Enterprises, owner, 213 East Broad; alterations, $982,779."

It refers, I believe, to an earlier announcement of a project at that address and at 214 East Grace Street.

Scroll to these addresses at the "There/Here" site below:

http://www.therehere...database?page=1

[burt]

burt, on 23 January 2012 - 09:03 AM, said:

Richmond dot com has one of its "Why, Richmond, Why" columns today with information on the old First & Merchants National Bank building conversion to apartments.

From writer Phil Riggan at Ric dot com:

http://www2.richmond...ank-ar-1626488/

It will have 154 units, including pent house level apartments.  They will range between 562 s/f and 2,235 s/f.   They are expected to be ready in late 2012.

Today, February 11th, 2012, the RTD Building Permits column included this:

"Rushmark FNB LLC, owner; Hitt Contracting, Inc., contractor; 823 East Main Street; alterations, $11,000,000."

[burt]

Carol Hazard has a story in today's newspaper about the condo market in Richmond.  It seems it is in a state of recovery.  Most of the story deals with Ted and Jim Urkop's Ginter Place in North Richmond finally attracting tenants after a few lean years.

Miller & Rhoads, I believe, gave in to lackluster interest and converted to apartment rentals.  Nonetheless, some realtors think the region is ripe for more condos.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...urn-ar-1680414/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

burt, on 11 February 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:

Today's Building Permits column in the Richmond Times Dispatch includes this:

"Richmond Enterprises, owner, 213 East Broad; alterations, $982,779."

It refers, I believe, to an earlier announcement of a project at that address and at 214 East Grace Street.

Scroll to these addresses at the "There/Here" site below:

http://www.therehere...database?page=1

And I have also visited the Genesis Properties website, and it seems like they are really helping Richmond with bigger and better developments. The Cedar Street proposal really excited me when I read the description on Genesis' website, but after seeing this rendering in this article by RVANews, I've pretty much lost all interest. I take it that you all have seen this before?

http://chpn.net/news...-at-uhca_12682/

Genesis Properties' website page of projects are pretty expansive. Glad to see lots of stuff going on in the city!

Edit: Oops! Almost forgot Genesis' website! http://www.genesispr...evelopment.aspx

Edited by RVA-Is-The-Best, 11 February 2012 - 09:04 PM.