346 replies to this topic

[wrldcoupe4]

It's entirely possible that the city would allow a new stadium to be built on the land it owns adjacent to the Diamond complex. The uses the city has at its property there could be relocated to anywhere. That way, they wouldn't have to rush to build a stadium, and after the new one was built, the Diamond could be torn down and that parcel redeveloped.

I always thought the reduction plan would've looked cheap.

[Downtowner]

Coupe I am glad to hear more on the Diamond I hadn't heard anything for quite a while but I am glad they are still working on it. But I believe the Braves Leasing Agreement for the Diamond runs out after the 07 Season.

[wrldcoupe4]

Remember, just because the current lease expires in 07 doesn't mean they can't extend it... especially if a new stadium is in the works.

[wrldcoupe4]

Plans Pitched for Stadium on The Boulevard

Quote

Richmond is ready to play ball with the 60 acres of prime real estate it owns around The Diamond....

To accommodate a new ballpark, Richmond will move its sprawling public works and maintenance operation, which has been a major obstacle to rejuvenating the warehouse district that lies at a key gateway to the city.

Richmond officials have bigger things in mind than a ballpark, because of rising interest by developers in the land the city controls between Boulevard and Hermitage and Robin Hood roads. City officials see the potential for an urban district of homes, shops and offices alongside a sports and entertainment complex.

"The city has an opportunity to be a leader in the market," said Jane Ferrara, director of real estate for Richmond.

I think this would be great.

[burt]

I, too, think it is great; though if I had my druthers I'd still rather see the stadium in Shockoe Bottom. And, surprisingly, so would a majority of responders so far on one of those "voting" surveys conducted by the RTD.

[Downtowner]

The thing I like about the New ballpark on the boulevard is its close to Interstates and the backups aren't as bad and if you had a stadium in shockoe bottom you would be asking for huge backups. But I am glad they are putting the stadium on the boulevard cause this is what I said they should do about 3 years ago.

[burt]

Downtowner, on Dec 10 2006, 11:11 AM, said:

The thing I like about the New ballpark on the boulevard is its close to Interstates and the backups aren't as bad and if you had a stadium in shockoe bottom you would be asking for huge backups. But I am glad they are putting the stadium on the boulevard cause this is what I said they should do about 3 years ago.

And it looks like your hopes will come true, Joey. Now that other improvements on the site will be made together with attempts to spruce up the entire Boulevard corridor, it sounds like a winning situation.

Coupe's idea about building a brand new stadium where the maintenance garages are now located would allow The Diamond to be used until the new field is ready. As he suggests, perhaps VCU will become involved by adapting the present Diamond for its own sports programs.

[Cadeho]

I can't wait to see what else they may have planned. That area is so depressing and it even looks that way from the highway. I know Sherwood Park and possibly Hammond Place residents may object to a big box center near them, but I also would like to see that (with decks instead of lots) east of Hermitage and backing against 95.

If not, that industrial area north of 95 near VUU is screaming for a transformation. That area is plain dead no matter what time of day or year and it looks that way from the highway. I know it's not related, but they should turn their attention there too... maybe some midrise apartments or something.

[wrldcoupe4]

You can pull off big boxes in a very urban manner, so maybe if the big boxes were configured in such a way, the people in the neighborhoods wouldn't mind so much?

There's a Target going up at Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole in MD which has a 3 or 4 story target, which shares a large multistory parking with surrounding stores and buildings.

[Cadeho]

Yeah that would be best.

Even downtown.

[gntrphoo]

wrldcoupe4, on Dec 10 2006, 01:38 PM, said:

You can pull off big boxes in a very urban manner, so maybe if the big boxes were configured in such a way, the people in the neighborhoods wouldn't mind so much?

There's a Target going up at Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole in MD which has a 3 or 4 story target, which shares a large multistory parking with surrounding stores and buildings.

As a resident of Sherwood Park, I know that I would not personally be opposed to two or three big box stores that served as anchors for smaller independent retailers. However, as coupe said, they would have to be integrated into a urban network of high density mixed use development before they won my approval. My ideal "anchor" tenants would be a Barnes and Noble, Best Buy/Circuit City, and possibly a department store (maybe Boscov's would put a store here - a J.C. Penny would be a less desirable option). While I'm writing my wish list, I might as well throw in an ESPN Zone - this would be a perfect compliment to all the sports facilities in the area. And let's not forget we are getting a movie theatre right next to this area too. (Btw I think a target would be better suited for the Azalea Park development . . . I don't think it would attract the kind of people and excitement that we need for an upscale "enterntainment" district.) Ultimately, I hope this will be the city's version of West Broad Village - without height restrictions on the buildings and more parking decks instead of parking lots.

I also envision this location to one day be a major regional transportation hub. It is already at the convergenace of the areas major highways, and soon it will probably be a terminus for whatever form of "streetcar" system the city ends up implementing. In the future I would love to see a light rail stop built adjacent (or right on top of) the railroad that cuts directly through this property. This would encourage even more density, possibly including highrise mixed use. I might also mention that the Greyhound bus stop will ultimately move from this area to locate closer to Main Street Station - a plus considering the crime that the bus station attracts to the area.

I can't wait to see this project get off the ground. Pantele has been a real champion for this area, and I expect that he will work hard with the neigborhood residents and the city government to make sure that we get a first class development.

[burt]

gntrphoo, I like your ideas for the area.

Light rail could (and should, IMO) run as you say parallel or above CSX to I 95, I 64 and I 195 where it should connect into the medians of those highways all the way to Ashland in one direction, then west and south to Rt. 288 in the other two.

Maybe Gumminick, who is redoing the old Suburban Apartments site on Staples Mill, would like to be involved in commercial and residential development near the Diamond.

[burt]

See Brian Glass comments in today's RTD Business Section, headed: Commercial Real Estate: It is too lenthy to copy here, but one of our linking experts probably would be happy to post the portion of his report on The Diamond and The Boulevard here.

[creativeclass]

burt, on Jan 1 2007, 11:06 AM, said:

See Brian Glass comments in today's RTD Business Section, headed: Commercial Real Estate: It is too lenthy to copy here, but one of our linking experts probably would be happy to post the portion of his report on The Diamond and The Boulevard here.

Burt, here's what Glass has to say about the Performing Arts Center: basically, let the VAPAF retain ownership of it since the city would prolly flub it up, anyhoo. But what if the city actually delegated operations to managers skilled in Performing Arts Center operations? (Something which never seemed to have occurred to Mr. Glass, or the VAPAF, for that matter.) I do agree that there should be no more delays: let's fix this so that the Carpenter Center renovations can finally begin.

By the way, where is the final report of the Performing Arts Center committee?

Quoth Mr. Glass:

My wish for 2007 is for the city to back off with regard to the ownership of the property. It's simply not what our city does best. If you want a good example, look at The Landmark Theater (another terrible name choice). It is owned by the city, was renovated by the city and is now in dire need of major surgery. That, to me, is proof positive that this is not the business the city needs to be involved in. I am certain there are other ways to protect the city's investment than having to own the performing-arts center outright.
If the ownership issue becomes a sticking point and the project is further delayed, the cost will only increase. That's a vicious spiral that needs to be avoided at all costs.

Link to Brian Glass's column:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satel...s=1045855934857

[creativeclass]

And here are Brian Glass's comments on the Braves Stadium. In this case I am in general agreement with Glass, although he completely misses the synergies apparent between keeping the Stadium on the Boulevard and the Bow Tie development nearby on the same street.

The Richmond Braves: It has been a long and winding road, but at long last it appears everyone who counts agrees that the stadium the Richmond Braves play in needs to remain at its current location: on the Boulevard or very close to it.

My preference would be to renovate The Diamond at a cost of about $25 million (it would have cost approximately $20 million three years ago) rather than spend more than $50 million for a new ballpark in the same area. I have heard that the cost for a new ballpark is in the vicinity of $40 million, but there simply hasn't been a stadium of any kind that has come in on time and on budget, so why should this one be different?

For the entire project to take shape, (there are approximately 60 developable acres) complete with housing and shops, the city will have to remove its public works and maintenance facility as soon as a deal is struck with the Atlanta Braves, who own the R-Braves. That relocation needs to be a priority.

I can't imagine that the Braves can play in a new ballpark by April 2008 since the details have yet to be worked out. They can probably do it in a refurbished Diamond, however, even if the work is done in stages.

Don't get me wrong: I can live with a new ballpark at this location as long as the deal is wrapped up quickly and Henrico and Chesterfield counties are part of the deal, as they were with The Diamond.

[burt]

Creative, see my posting this morning under Richmond: Economy/Business/Real Estate. I quoted Glass about Richmond CenterStage. I don't know how to link so I leave that up to accommodating friends here.

The Committee Report is due today, but I suspect Wilder will read it before releasing it for publication.

I don't believe the city, thus far, has been very adept in delegating management of performing centers. Neither the Landmark nor The Coliseum (both City-owned) has demonstrated first-rate management, IMO. Can the Richmond Centerstage board provide more professional supervision of its facilities? I believe they can.

Thanks for posting the Glass story. I thought he addressed the connection of BowTie's cinema complex as well as development of the old cookie factory.

Edited by burt, 01 January 2007 - 01:50 PM.

[Downtowner]

I really like the Articles that Glass had today and I just hope that the city keeps in mind that AAA Baseball Requirements for a Stadium has to be 10,000 Fixed Seats or more. I also hope they can change the design of the Stadium cause the last one to me wasn't all that great another great thing I would like to see is a Museum dedicated to the Richmond Braves for all the Past players we have had such as Chipper Jones Javy Lopez Ryan Klesko Dale Murphy and so on. But to me a R-Braves Museum would be a huge boost.

[wrldcoupe4]

The city is almost as bad at taking care of buildings as the state is...

[stolypin]

I would like to see a stadium built on the big parking lot between Byrd, 5th, Tredegar, and 7th streets, next to the Civil War Center at Tredegar. I haven't been down there in a while, so maybe something else is going to be built there. I've never heard it considered as a stadium site. The land is probably worth too much to the owner in development potential to be used as a city-owned stadium.

[wrldcoupe4]

That's actually where Meadwestvaco's new HQ will go... also, a 1000 car parking deck will be built along Byrd to accomodate the parking for the Fed Reserve. The remaining space will have another office building, residential buildings, retail/entertainment/dining, and perhaps a hotel. So it will be totally spoken for in a few years. It would've been quite a site for a stadium, though traffic would be hell getting out of there.

I'm in favor of a new stadium along the Boulevard on the property next to the diamond where the city has a major maintenance facility. Let VCU use the Diamond in a very renovated way, or tear it down altogether to help make a new urban district full of shops (even big boxes in an urban concept), housing, and an emphasis on sports.