The Tri-Cities Area

[I miss RVA]

35 minutes ago, eandslee said:

The old eyesore, Ramada Inn is coming down in Petersburg!  Hopefully, it is replaced with a modern tower at least as tall as the one coming down.  Petersburg needs to display that it is on the rise!

Check out photos here:

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/photos-demolition-of-petersburg-eyesore-ramada-inn-continues/?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=socialflow

At long last!  That place has sat crumbling forever and a day now, it seems. Here's hoping something sizeable rises in its place. Time to get the Tri-Cities economy jumpstarted!

[eandslee]

Cordish releases the design of the casino very tentatively planned for Petersburg at the intersection of Wagner Road and I-95:
 

https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/cordish-unveils-1-4-billion-plan-for-casino-resort-in-petersburg/article_75788be2-efba-5601-ad03-320d6791860e.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3BTxDm_2ws0V9xInwGVpzcGErvA6d3iHQkKWTrh0yTkdqLamxDBk6nuLI&fs=e&s=cl
 

[Hike]

28 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Cordish releases the design of the casino very tentatively planned for Petersburg at the intersection of Wagner Road and I-95:
 

https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/cordish-unveils-1-4-billion-plan-for-casino-resort-in-petersburg/article_75788be2-efba-5601-ad03-320d6791860e.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3BTxDm_2ws0V9xInwGVpzcGErvA6d3iHQkKWTrh0yTkdqLamxDBk6nuLI&fs=e&s=cl
 

On the southern side of Petersburg, puts it out of a reasonable reach to Richmond, which I think is disappointing.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Hike

[I miss RVA]

And Morrissey is really all-in on doing everything possible to ensure that Richmond doesn't get a second bite at the apple, lest there be direct competition for Central Virginia's gambling dollars.

[Hike]

5 hours ago, I miss RVA said:

And Morrissey is really all-in on doing everything possible to ensure that Richmond doesn't get a second bite at the apple, lest there be direct competition for Central Virginia's gambling dollars.

My thought was that if Richmond didn’t end up with a casino then a Petersburg casino, if built on the northern edge, closer to Richmond, would be easier access without having to go through Petersburg.
The area just north of Petersburg is already built up some, just feels a lot closer than Wagner road on the southern side of the city.

[plain]

Yeah I don't like that location at all. Why not just put it where the Ramada is/was or somewhere close to it?

[Hike]

1 hour ago, plain said:

Yeah I don't like that location at all. Why not just put it where the Ramada is/was or somewhere close to it?

Feel the same way. It’s probably not a big enough site is what someone here had mentioned,  but totally wish it was there too. I don’t see how the Wagner location does anything for downtown Petersburg, which just really needs a boost. I was hopeful that if Petersburg were to get the casino and not Richmond that it would be in/near the downtown core.

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, plain said:

Yeah I don't like that location at all. Why not just put it where the Ramada is/was or somewhere close to it?

Likely the site isn't large enough. I'm thinking Cordish wants plenty of room, particularly if what's being announced is just "Phase I" of the development.

[eandslee]

50 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Likely the site isn't large enough. I'm thinking Cordish wants plenty of room, particularly if what's being announced is just "Phase I" of the development.

True statement. The old Ramada site is just too small.  This was mentioned by Petersburg City leaders in several articles about the demolition of the old Ramada.

[eandslee]

Just saw this concept aerial view of the Petersburg casino at build-out, if built. Wow!  So massive!!!

Edited December 14, 2022 by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

16 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Just saw this concept aerial view of the Petersburg casino at build-out, if built. Wow!  So massive!!!

This would certainly explain why the Wagner Road site and not the Ramada Inn site. World of difference in size.

[Icetera]

The location has a lot more potential than Casino ONE's as it is not landlocked by irreplaceable industrial usages and is only about 2-3 minutes past downtown.  Downtown has good bones but Petersburg needs the money to inject into it, of which this would certainly provide.  I also see a nice opportunity for a future train station nearby where the Norfolk-bound Amtrak line crosses under RT-301.   Looks like a place worth visiting though they will have to add something to catch I-295 and I-85 traffic as it just barely misses visibility from both, but does center itself between those interchanges.

[I miss RVA]

Here's another story that may slip under our radar screens that presents a HUGE win both for Petersburgh and the Tri-Cities - AND - for metro Richmond as a whole:  Construction of the non-profit pharmaceutical company Civica Rx's new 140,000 square foot manufacturing facility on the south side of Petersburg is nearing completion, and the plant is slated to begin producing insulin and other injectable medications later this year. The insulin and other medicines should be hitting the market at some time in 2024. The Petersburg plant is Civica's first (and thereby ONLY) manufacturing facility, and the company is finalizing plans (doing engineering work, etc.,) for a new lab to be located about 12 miles to the north of the plant in the Meadowville Technology Park in southeast Chesterfield, not all that far from the site of the new LEGO plant.

Civica's manufacturing facility will employ about 190 people - so far, roughly 60 to 70 employees have been hired, according to RBS's reporting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Civica Rx is based in Lehi, Utah - which is in the south suburbs of Salt Lake City. The downstream ripple effect is that this could help tick up demand for direct air service between RIC and SLC. To our airport gurus - what airline(s) might be best positioned to jump at this opportunity?

Here's the Civica facility story - from today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/01/23/nonprofit-drug-maker-to-begin-manufacturing-this-year-at-140m-petersburg-plant/

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, I miss RVA said:

Here's another story that may slip under our radar screens that presents a HUGE win both for Petersburgh and the Tri-Cities - AND - for metro Richmond as a whole:  Construction of the non-profit pharmaceutical company Civica Rx's new 140,000 square foot manufacturing facility on the south side of Petersburg is nearing completion, and the plant is slated to begin producing insulin and other injectable medications later this year. The insulin and other medicines should be hitting the market at some time in 2024. The Petersburg plant is Civica's first (and thereby ONLY) manufacturing facility, and the company is finalizing plans (doing engineering work, etc.,) for a new lab to be located about 12 miles to the north of the plant in the Meadowville Technology Park in southeast Chesterfield, not all that far from the site of the new LEGO plant.

Civica's manufacturing facility will employ about 190 people - so far, roughly 60 to 70 employees have been hired, according to RBS's reporting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Civica Rx is based in Lehi, Utah - which is in the south suburbs of Salt Lake City. The downstream ripple effect is that this could help tick up demand for direct air service between RIC and SLC. To our airport gurus - what airline(s) might be best positioned to jump at this opportunity?

Here's the Civica facility story - from today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/01/23/nonprofit-drug-maker-to-begin-manufacturing-this-year-at-140m-petersburg-plant/

Delta Airlines…for sure Delta.  SLC is one of their hubs.  That’s the obvious answer, but if SW Airlines could get off their behinds, they’d be a possibility as well. 

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, eandslee said:

Delta Airlines…for sure Delta.  SLC is one of their hubs.  That’s the obvious answer, but if SW Airlines could get off their behinds, they’d be a possibility as well. 

Southwest did, in fact, come to mind. Do any of the other discount carriers fly out of SLC?

[eandslee]

28 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Southwest did, in fact, come to mind. Do any of the other discount carriers fly out of SLC?

Breeze flies to Provo, UT and I’ve heard that they might consider moving a base to SLC, but right now, Provo is as close as you’ll get on Breeze from RIC (with a stop at SFO).  

Frontier Airlines also flies to SLC, but the problem with that is obvious - Frontier doesn’t serve RIC (it does serve ORF though).  

I know you can get to SLC on American Airlines and it’s more than likely you can on United (both of those routes would require a stop somewhere).

Then there’s JetBlue, which also serves SLC and RIC, but so far there is no nonstop service from RIC. You will more than likely have to fly to BOS or JFK first before you get to SLC. 

Almost forgot about Spirit, which serves SLC, but again, from RIC would probably require a stop at FLL or MCO to get to SLC. 

Edited January 23 by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, eandslee said:

Breeze flies to Provo, UT and I’ve heard that they might consider moving a base to SLC, but right now, Provo is as close as you’ll get on Breeze from RIC (with a stop at SFO).  

Frontier Airlines also flies to SLC, but the problem with that is obvious - Frontier doesn’t serve RIC (it does serve ORF though).  

I know you can get to SLC on American Airlines and it’s more than likely you can on United (both of those routes would require a stop somewhere).

Then there’s JetBlue, which also serves SLC and RIC, but so far there is no nonstop service from RIC. You will more than likely have to fly to BOS or JFK first before you get to SLC. 

Almost forgot about Spirit, which serves SLC, but again, from RIC would probably require a stop at FLL or MCO to get to SLC. 

So it seems that the low-hanging fruit for the powers that be here would be to either try to work out something to get JetBlue or Spirit to launch RIC-to-SLC direct service - or --- better yet -- to land Frontier here (which we need to do anyway) - and perhaps among their initial offerings could be direct service to and from SLC. 

Not like Civica's presence here will pack planes to SLC FULL - -YET -- but I think it's an angle that the powers that be who could have some sway with the airlines could certainly play to try to get some direct service set up. I wouldn't mind at all adding Frontier to the roster of airlines serving RIC. The more the merrier - competition might help get prices lower and help the airport reduce costs to the airlines - which could mean even more service.

Edited January 24 by I miss RVA

[blopp1234]

17 hours ago, I miss RVA said:

Here's another story that may slip under our radar screens that presents a HUGE win both for Petersburgh and the Tri-Cities - AND - for metro Richmond as a whole:  Construction of the non-profit pharmaceutical company Civica Rx's new 140,000 square foot manufacturing facility on the south side of Petersburg is nearing completion, and the plant is slated to begin producing insulin and other injectable medications later this year. The insulin and other medicines should be hitting the market at some time in 2024. The Petersburg plant is Civica's first (and thereby ONLY) manufacturing facility, and the company is finalizing plans (doing engineering work, etc.,) for a new lab to be located about 12 miles to the north of the plant in the Meadowville Technology Park in southeast Chesterfield, not all that far from the site of the new LEGO plant.

Civica's manufacturing facility will employ about 190 people - so far, roughly 60 to 70 employees have been hired, according to RBS's reporting.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Civica Rx is based in Lehi, Utah - which is in the south suburbs of Salt Lake City. The downstream ripple effect is that this could help tick up demand for direct air service between RIC and SLC. To our airport gurus - what airline(s) might be best positioned to jump at this opportunity?

Here's the Civica facility story - from today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/01/23/nonprofit-drug-maker-to-begin-manufacturing-this-year-at-140m-petersburg-plant/

Delta would probably be our only shot at SLC service unless Breeze moves their base from Provo to SLC.

 

Salt Lake serves as a fortress hub for Delta, so most other airlines have a limited presence there outside of to their hub airports. It’s pretty similar to how American is pretty much the only airline that serves Charlotte. 
 

RIC is currently 5th in most PDEW to SLC without nonstop service, with 51 this last quarter, so who knows maybe we could see something eventually but I would be surprised (happy) if we see a SLC route within the next 2-3 years.

[I miss RVA]

5 hours ago, blopp1234 said:

Delta would probably be our only shot at SLC service unless Breeze moves their base from Provo to SLC.

 

Salt Lake serves as a fortress hub for Delta, so most other airlines have a limited presence there outside of to their hub airports. It’s pretty similar to how American is pretty much the only airline that serves Charlotte. 
 

RIC is currently 5th in most PDEW to SLC without nonstop service, with 51 this last quarter, so who knows maybe we could see something eventually but I would be surprised (happy) if we see a SLC route within the next 2-3 years.

Great analysis, @blopp1234!   Given Civica's presence - a 2 to 3 year window for the launch of a direct RIC-SLC route feels about right.

Edited January 24 by I miss RVA

[eandslee]

The advancement of the casino project in Petersburg doesn't look good.  Now what?

https://www.wric.com/news/politics/capitol-connection/sen-joe-morrisseys-petersburg-casino-bill-fails/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral 

[wrldcoupe4]

Would give Richmond another shot!

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

Would give Richmond another shot!

Probably, but I have to say...the Petersburg Cordish plan looked lightyears better than the Urban One plan in Richmond.  Whoever they get to do this in Richmond, better bring their "A" game.  Not only should they improve their design, but they will have an uphill battle to fight the anti-casino folks out there.  Richmond's biggest mistake was to wait a year longer than every other place in Virginia to vote on it - allows too much time for folks to oppose it.

Edited 17 hours ago by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, eandslee said:

Probably, but I have to say...the Petersburg Cordish plan looked lightyears better than the Urban One plan in Richmond.  Whoever they get to do this in Richmond, better bring their "A" game.  Not only should they improve their design, but they will have an uphill battle to fight the anti-casino folks out there.  Richmond's biggest mistake was to wait a year longer than every other place in Virginia to vote on it - allows too much time for folks to oppose it.

 !!!

[rjp212]

It's too bad the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Center can't be relocated.  Imagine an urban oriented casino complex in the blue,  a bridge over the James to Rocketts Landing,  enhanced JRPS in the green, and a mixed use village in the yellow.

 

[eandslee]

2 hours ago, rjp212 said:

It's too bad the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Center can't be relocated.  Imagine an urban oriented casino complex in the blue,  a bridge over the James to Rocketts Landing,  enhanced JRPS in the green, and a mixed use village in the yellow.

 

Love this idea!  Such a waste (see what I did there?) of good real estate over there with great views of the city skyline. We all know moving the waste water treatment center is never going to happen, but what if?  Would be nice!

Edited 2 hours ago by eandslee