Manchester Development

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, whw53 said:

Sampson Coatings demo moving forward'

https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/richmondvaprod#/plan/b48821e1-144d-43e6-b354-a8c30a88ce92?tab=locations

Sweet!! Glad to see this moving forward.

Now, with so many projects underway, it's hard to keep track of what's going where. Do we know what's planned for this property?

[rjp212]

1212 Hull St is now on the market for redevelopment. Looks to provide two options for a 4 story mixed use building.

https://www.thalhimer.com/sites/default/files/listings_files/1212HullSt.pdf

[I miss RVA]

28 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

1212 Hull St is now on the market for redevelopment. Looks to provide two options for a 4 story mixed use building.

https://www.thalhimer.com/sites/default/files/listings_files/1212HullSt.pdf

What's the zoning for that parcel? If Thalhimer is marketing the site for sale, wouldn't it be up to the developer how large/tall to built? Why is it being marketed as a potential 4-story building? Am I missing something here?

[I miss RVA]

EXCELLENT commentary from Professor Slipek in today's Richmond BizSense about the whole Legends/Avery Hall highrises "lost views" flap in Manchester. Even the often unreasonably preservation-minded Dr. Slipek has come out indirectly in support of Avery Hall's development by directly addressing his critique of Legends opposition and the general NIMBY mindset relative to riverfront views -- and he rightly puts things in perspective by making mention of other -- larger -- cities that are famous for their vistas. Like many of us in our UP community here have suggest, Slipek CORRECTLY posits that Legends should embrace the opportunity to be patronized by MANY new customers and should seek to work with the developer to get a taproom located in the new apartment complex in order to gain even BETTER views of our growing city. I must say I was VERY pleasantly surprised that Dr. Slipek did not come down on the side of Legends. Rather, he came with very solid suggestions of how Legends could work with the developer - and - how the brewery could perhaps push the city for infrastructure improvements that are SORELY needed to accommodate Manchester's quasar-like explosive growth, both in terms of population and traffic. As he mentioned: new sidewalks... new/better lighting... more traffic lights... rethinking of one-way streets... are among the many things that the CITY could -- and frankly SHOULD -- step up to the plate and address as Manchester continues to boom. I am honestly blown away (in the best way possible) that he suggested that Legends should embrace their new neighbors and work together in a way that benefits everyone.

Excellent commentary. I have to give credit where credit is due. Given his decades-long and shameless bias towards preservation and often public bent against progressive development, he honestly surprised me with his take on this issue. I'm quite impressed and heartened, to say the least. Maybe I read too much into it - but in the court of public opinion (which at least here in our UP community, in commentary in both RBS and RT-D and on the RVA/Reddit pages appears overwhelmingly in support of the project) Slipek is considered by many as a heavyweight whose opinions at least count for something. For him to politely give Legends a patch for their kvetching (and if you know Yiddish you'll understand what I just said), is -- to me -- very encouraging.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/08/26/guest-commentary-moaning-over-the-loss-of-a-great-view-will-solve-nothing/

Edited August 26, 2022 by I miss RVA

[rjp212]

31 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

What's the zoning for that parcel? If Thalhimer is marketing the site for sale, wouldn't it be up to the developer how large/tall to built? Why is it being marketed as a potential 4-story building? Am I missing something here?

Zoning allows up to 5. I assume development plans have already been approved by the city so they are marketing it as such. 

[I miss RVA]

9 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

Zoning allows up to 5. I assume development plans have already been approved by the city so they are marketing it as such. 

Gotcha - that makes total sense. then.

Perhaps whoever purchases this site might approach the city about upzoning! 

[ronsmytheiii]

On 8/25/2022 at 2:14 PM, whw53 said:

Sampson Coatings demo moving forward'

https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService/richmondvaprod#/plan/b48821e1-144d-43e6-b354-a8c30a88ce92?tab=locations

Sampson coating adds a historic and charm layer to the neighborhood, and demolishing it down to a parking lot would be a travesty. Building could easily be converted to either apartments or office space, and perhaps both. I for one will miss it when it is gone, too much of Manchester is turning into the same style of architecture and keeping the historic industrial infrastructure adds character that frankly many of the new developments lack.

[I miss RVA]

2 hours ago, ronsmytheiii said:

Sampson coating adds a historic and charm layer to the neighborhood, and demolishing it down to a parking lot would be a travesty. Building could easily be converted to either apartments or office space, and perhaps both. I for one will miss it when it is gone, too much of Manchester is turning into the same style of architecture and keeping the historic industrial infrastructure adds character that frankly many of the new developments lack.

I hear you and understand your position - however, I must respectfully push back on this point - One of the biggest things that has held Richmond back for the past five decades is the -- at times -- this almost 'death-grip' on old (and generally small) buildings, and what I personally view is an over-emphasis on character. Not EVERY old building qualifies as "historic" - and Manchester is transforming into a booming, urban-core residential neighborhood. For all the overemphasis this city places on architecture, may I gently remind folks of the architect's mantra and the core philosophy that has driven architects for centuries - form FOLLOWS function. If a developer comes in, buys the Sampson coatings building and replaces it with a four or six or eight-story (or larger!!!) residential building, the impact of that residential building will far and away be more beneficial to Manchester and the city as a whole than would be limiting what a developer can do with this property. Yes - old architecture is wonderful. It's nice to look at. But my friend, this city is growing and growing quickly. We don't need to be another Savannah or Charleston. That's not Richmond's place in this world. Much as I know that must disappoint some - it's simply a fact. Richmond is beyond both of them combined -- and we need to go FORWARD and reach for the stars - not bury our feet (and our heads) in the past. And while I do respect your position and hear you and understand where you're coming from, I have to say that I'm very grateful that Richmond -- FINALLY -- has shown enough fortitude to move away from this mindset of forcing us to hold on to EVERY OLD BUILDING - almost to the point of "God-forbid even one single brick should perish".  Please know I mean no offense in pushing back on this point - but I've seen where it (this overemphasis on preservation) has led this city. We have more than enough "historic" neighborhoods and architecture. We don't need to create more.  Let's not hold onto everything, which in turn, holds the city back in the process. Paraphrasing Moses' rather famous line to Pharoah in the classic movie "The Ten Commandments":  "LET MY CITY GROW!!!!"

[Brent114]

Concrete barriers and fencing is going up around the site of the new building on 2nd street.  It’s the five floor apartment building across from Caravati’s.

 

The old carriage houses (something of the sort) were picked over for parts then boarded up a few weeks ago.  I have a full view of this site from my living room and I’m excited to have something new to look at  

[I miss RVA]

1 minute ago, Brent114 said:

Concrete barriers and fencing is going up around the site of the new building on 2nd street.  It’s the five floor apartment building across from Caravati’s.

 

The old carriage houses (something of the sort) were picked over for parts then boarded up a few weeks ago.  I have a full view of this site from my living room and I’m excited to have something new to look at  

When concrete barriers and fencing go up, can port-o-potties be far behind? 

[Brent114]

[wrldcoupe4]

Brent - I think he is saying that he is jealous of your new to you view of some Porto-potties  

[Brent114]

Looks like 2nd street will be closed for the net two years  

[wrldcoupe4]

All we need now is an update on the Silo redevelopment…

[I miss RVA]

7 minutes ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

All we need now is an update on the Silo redevelopment…

You took the words out of my mouth, @wrldcoupe4! I was just about to ask that very question. 

Has there been any movement? I think the developers filed papers for land disturbance for the Silos site, yes? But that's been many many moons ago. Anything shaking on that front?

Edited September 7, 2022 by I miss RVA

[wrldcoupe4]

I’m thinking soon…

[rjp212]

The Old Witch building near the Silos is currently gutted and being worked on. I believe they've been marketing this as either office space, restaurant, or brewery.

[I miss RVA]

20 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

I’m thinking soon…

Oh yeah? What heareth thee in the grapevine? Must we invoke Major Hochstetter from Hogan's Heroes? "Vee haf vaze... to make you talk!!"  

Edited September 8, 2022 by I miss RVA

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Interesting.

The developers for the two towers that would block Legend Brewery are tweaking the plan, and in a twist that I certainly didn't expect:

Quote

Avery Hall is also now planning to shorten the length of the eastern building, while increasing its height. Instead of reaching 11 stories, it’ll reach 16 stories along West Sixth Street and 17 stories facing Perry Street, another move that they say will help preserve sightlines.

Of course, the curmudgeons over there at Legend still seem grumpy and qualified with their 'praise' as ever; this is their [comical] two cents per BizSense:

Quote

After the meeting, Legend Vice President of Operations Dave Gott said he found the new design to be an improvement but said, “The long and short of it is, anything over three stories down there is just not good for us.”

“They’re going to do what they’re legally allowed to do, that’s going to happen,” Gott added. “Just don’t ask us to be like cheerleaders for it, because we’re not.”

Well, anything under three stories is just not good for Urban Planet, so sorry there Dave.

 

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/09/09/developers-tweak-two-tower-plan-to-preserve-legend-brewings-view/

 

Edited September 9, 2022 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[wrldcoupe4]

What a brat. And the other guy complaining about the scale of the project just moved into the neighborhood. There are large scaled projects all around his townhome. Did he not have google before he moved in? Avery Hall needs to push ahead. 

[Hike]

Don’t want to be the slightest bit thankful that there could be hundreds, if not a thousand new beer drinkers right at your door step,  that’s just a wow to me.

” Gott added. “Just don’t ask us to be like cheerleaders for it, because we’re not.”
 

[Flood Zone]

I can see why the Legend guy might still be peeved. I mean, it’s not like  those 16 floors would occupy young professionals who  have money to spend and like to drink beer and socialize..

[upzoningisgood]

I guess the silver lining here is if Legends ever sells, the development opportunity will be much better because of the expanded view. 
 

That also means complaining at the local meeting will earn Legends a lot of work-free land profit,  which is obviously an asinine incentive built into the community review process.

[123fakestreet]

This is ridiculous they are having to change a major development to cater to some crappy restaurant that will probably be out of business in a few years anyway.  And the restaurant owner still whining, unbelievable. 

the good news it it will now be 5 stories higher though!

[blopp1234]

 @I miss RVA might need to write a thank you card to the NIMBYs for the increased height! 

Edited September 9, 2022 by blopp1234