Richmond's Suburban Developments

[I miss RVA]

Some great news for the western Chesterfield suburbs: The governor's office has announced that the county is set to receive $25 million in grant money to put toward site development at the planned Upper Magnolia Green technology park. The county is planning to go full speed ahead to push for getting the Powhite Parkway extension built all the way out to Hull Street Road in what is promising to be one of the fastest growing sections of the county. 

Check out this nugget from the article:

The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, through which Chesterfield’s grant was awarded, is intended to help develop project-ready industrial sites to make Virginia more competitive in attracting new businesses and foster company expansions. The program is administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced in mid-January that Chesterfield and other localities will receive grant funding. Chesterfield’s allocation is the largest of the 21 projects announced as funding winners, which together total $90 million in grants, according to a VEDP news release.

Given the news we saw just a week or two ago about Amazon looking to invest significantly in data centers in Virginia - I can't help but wonder if this new Magnolia park in the western/southwestern suburbs might give Varina and Sandston a serious run for their money and be able to attract one of these new data centers. (Or better yet - what is BOTH ends of the metro region were able to grab Amazon data centers! How amazing would THAT be?)

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/01/30/chesterfield-to-use-25m-state-grant-to-lay-groundwork-for-upper-magnolia-tech-park/

Edited January 30, 2023 by I miss RVA

[Child2021]

Quick questions: Can someone possibly tell me what's going with Stairview village behind Stonebridge, and what's happened to the proposed hotel? Everything across the turnpike by the Spring Rock Green has fencing up, and wanted to the progress of those two things. 
Links: 
Chesterfield planners endorse plan to build up to 1,250 housing units around shopping center at former Cloverleaf Mall (richmond.com)
Shamin Hotels Moving Forward with Upscale Hotel and Conference Center at Stonebridge - Chesterfield Business News

[Brent114]

The hotel is under construction. 
 

[I miss RVA]

Looks like there's finally some movement on a big mixed-use project near Chester that's been in the pipeline for several years. The developer of the proposed Courthouse Landing project at the interchange of Route 10 and the 288 beltway has finalized purchase of the site. Chesterfield approved rezoning for the property in mid-2020. VCU Health will anchor the development, that will include apartments, commercial and office space and a hotel. RBS is reporting that ground breaking is scheduled for this spring.

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/02/13/courthouse-landing-project-site-sells-for-7m/

Edited February 13, 2023 by I miss RVA

[eandslee]

47 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Looks like there's finally some movement on a big mixed-use project near Chester that's been in the pipeline for several years. The developer of the proposed Courthouse Landing project at the interchange of Route 10 and the 288 beltway has finalized purchase of the site. Chesterfield approved rezoning for the property in mid-2020. VCU Health will anchor the development, that will include apartments, commercial and office space and a hotel. RBS is reporting that ground breaking is scheduled for this spring.

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/02/13/courthouse-landing-project-site-sells-for-7m/

Nice!  Good to see this one begin to move. Lots of legal hurdles to get this one approved. It’s still very suburban in nature (just look at all those parking lots!), but it fills a gap of land between 288 and the county government center, so I’ll take it. 
 

Edit:  it wasn’t a bunch of legal issues…it was more issues with getting the land-use stuff approved. They had to keep going back to the drawing board and seemed as if the developer was going to just walk away at one point. Glad things are working out…albeit with another developer. 

Edited February 13, 2023 by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

2 hours ago, eandslee said:

Nice!  Good to see this one begin to move. Lots of legal hurdles to get this one approved. It’s still very suburban in nature (just look at all those parking lots!), but it fills a gap of land between 288 and the county government center, so I’ll take it. 
 

Edit:  it wasn’t a bunch of legal issues…it was more issues with getting the land-use stuff approved. They had to keep going back to the drawing board and seemed as if the developer was going to just walk away at one point. Glad things are working out…albeit with another developer. 

Makes me wonder if at some point soon we might see some development - particularly along Courthouse Road - west of Route 10 as far west as they can go before getting "too close" to Pocahontas State Park? Lots of undeveloped land there - is any kept in reserve as a "buffer" around the park?

Edited February 13, 2023 by I miss RVA

[Child2021]

Henrico Plaza development continues at a rapid pace.... this week it's adding an elevator casing to the portion that is facing Mechanicsville Turnpike, rest of the pseudo "Urban complex" continues to be worked on at an outrageous speed.   

[eandslee]

Had anyone heard of this huge “miss” before?  See the linked article below, specifically, the last paragraph:

https://www.grpva.com/news/chesterfield-henrico-2-other-va-localities-vie-for-semiconductor-chip-sites/
 

Virginia is way behind states like Arizona, Texas, and Ohio,  Virginia’s answer:  Upper Magnolia Green in Chesterfield.  Rumor has it that another chip manufacturer could be knocking on the door. Got to get this going ASAP!

[Child2021]

On 2/15/2023 at 10:54 PM, Child2021 said:

Henrico Plaza development continues at a rapid pace.... this week it's adding an elevator casing to the portion that is facing Mechanicsville Turnpike, rest of the pseudo "Urban complex" continues to be worked on at an outrageous speed.   

 

[I miss RVA]

4 hours ago, Child2021 said:

 

This is making a LOT progress quite quickly!

Awesome photos, @Child2021

[eandslee]

Lego to hire 500 people by year’s end and will start production in a temporary facility soon too!  The new factory should be open for business by the second half of 2025.

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/lego-to-hire-500-chesterfield-employees-by-years-end/

[Downtowner]

1 hour ago, eandslee said:

Lego to hire 500 people by year’s end and will start production in a temporary facility soon too!  The new factory should be open for business by the second half of 2025.

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/lego-to-hire-500-chesterfield-employees-by-years-end/

My company is doing the electrical side of the temp structure at Walthall. I was there for a couple of days before I got moved out to Charlottesville. They were rolling we had to wait for material to come in. We are already pushed back to early November here in Charlottesville. Doing a project that makes armored weaponized drones for the military. We were supposed to be done in June but certain materials we need we can’t get until October because they are made in China and Mexico. Siemens which we use there switch gears is on back order for months and months. Same goes for breakers. 

[I miss RVA]

2 hours ago, eandslee said:

Lego to hire 500 people by year’s end and will start production in a temporary facility soon too!  The new factory should be open for business by the second half of 2025.

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/lego-to-hire-500-chesterfield-employees-by-years-end/

Definitely good news - and a solid start to the new factory! it's startin' to get darn awful excitin' around these parts!

[rjp212]

BizSense is reporting that a "mystery" corporation is planning a 2-story, 124,000 sf distribution center off of Villa Park, nicknamed "Project Nourish".   All the tells (nickname, neon green, grocer on the building) scream this is Amazon Fresh/Go.  That only gives more weight to the "new to the market, mystery grocers" opening up around town.

 

 

 

[I miss RVA]

4 hours ago, rjp212 said:

BizSense is reporting that a "mystery" corporation is planning a 2-story, 124,000 sf distribution center off of Villa Park, nicknamed "Project Nourish".   All the tells (nickname, neon green, grocer on the building) scream this is Amazon Fresh/Go.  That only gives more weight to the "new to the market, mystery grocers" opening up around town.

 

 

 

Definitely a big add, particularly for that part of the county. I'm curious if this might add any weight to the push to bring the north/south PULSE BRT line right up Route 1 all the way to VCC? I'm sure most workers there will likely drive - and the location is a bit of a schlep from Route 1 (and where would the PULSE station be?) -- still - EVERY development along the Route 1/Brook Road corridor in this part of the county just adds to the "it just makes sense" to build the PULSE line to VCC.

[wrldcoupe4]

Despite the headline, appears Whole Foods is heading to Hull Street near Woodlake 

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/chesterfield-planning-official-confirms-whole-foods-coming-to-midlothian-turnpike/

[rjp212]

The articles been corrected, but what a horrible editing job.   Also how does this statement automatically equal Whole Foods?

”While highlighting new bike lanes that would be built as part of that mixed-use development, Allen put the plan of development on screen — still labeled as “Major Tenant X” — and said, “This is the Amazon grocery store.””

[eandslee]

4 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

The articles been corrected, but what a horrible editing job.   Also how does this statement automatically equal Whole Foods?

”While highlighting new bike lanes that would be built as part of that mixed-use development, Allen put the plan of development on screen — still labeled as “Major Tenant X” — and said, “This is the Amazon grocery store.””

Oops!  

Amazon owns Whole Foods...but also Amazon Fresh...so which is it?

Edited February 22, 2023 by eandslee

[Child2021]

Well look at what I found here.

Link: 5b47e368-a2a2-4cd0-b751-af94dbcbe3bf (windows.net)

[Flood Zone]

Is that old material? I noticed that the map doesn't identify Harp's Landing, the new apartment building they announced fairly recently. (Although it does seem to appear in what seems to be the same location.)

[rjp212]

9 hours ago, Child2021 said:

Well look at what I found here.

Link: 5b47e368-a2a2-4cd0-b751-af94dbcbe3bf (windows.net)

Unfortunately that is old and the Office Building (Circle #5) is going to be apartments.   I believe Star #5 is still in the works but down the road.  You can find more details under the Libbie Mill forum.

[I miss RVA]

Another WIN for metro Richmond - this time in fast-growing Hanover County. The Winding Brook development on Lakeridge Parkway - just west of I-95 and south of Lewistown Road will be the home of a 552,000 sq ft warehouse for Genpak - a food packaging group owned by a Canadian-based conglomerate, the Jim Pattinson Group. Winding Brook -- which includes a large Bass Pro Shops as well as hotels - has been in development since 2006. Construction of the warehouse moves the overall development closer to completion. According to Mike's reporting, a 13-acre parcel remains undeveloped, and plans for the parcel are not clear at this time.

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/02/22/bass-pro-anchored-winding-brook-entering-home-stretch-after-new-warehouse-deal/

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by I miss RVA

[rjp212]

16 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

Despite the headline, appears Whole Foods is heading to Hull Street near Woodlake 

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/chesterfield-planning-official-confirms-whole-foods-coming-to-midlothian-turnpike/

Updates to the story now include a rendering. That's definitely a Whole Foods.

[wrldcoupe4]

Amazon Fresh wouldnt have a cafe so appears that it will be a Whole Foods.  

[blopp1234]

Gotta say this is poor journalism by WRIC.
 

Not only did they misreport this story at first, but they seem to be confusing this project with the project on Midlothian turnpike near Alverser drive. That project will have additional retail and apartments while the hull street project will just be the grocery store. 

 

I am excited to hear that this might be a Whole Foods as I grew up in this area on Hull street and I know my family who still lives there will love to have a Whole Foods.

This area doesn’t seem to stop growing. Rumors are swirling that Kroger may build a new store closer to Magnolia Green however I haven’t been able to find anything that validates these rumors. Then the next Phase of Cosby Village is already in the site work phase. Lots of work and construction trucks out there.