New Richmond Arena

[vdogg]

6 hours ago, jbjust said:

Nothing says "classy" like having an Indian Casino right in the middle of your downtown. 

Baltimore's casino is downtown and does just fine. There are right ways to do a casino and wrong ways. Not everywhere will turn in to Atlantic City, and more often than not, the doomsday prophecies laid out by those who are against casinos never come to fruition.

[Henrico Weather]

13 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

This is going to be set back for years and maybe forever. 

Much like the long-ballyhooed Currituck bridge and the I-81 widening, I don't think I'll see this, or any of them, in my lifetime.

Edited February 13, 2020 by Henrico Weather

[Icetera]

11 hours ago, jbjust said:

Nothing says "classy" like having an Indian Casino right in the middle of your downtown. 

Having grown up in Northeast Connecticut (former home of the Flying Squirrels) and moved here just after the the casinos opened there, I can tell you first hand that they can be done right and the proposals put up thus far appear to be on track.  Foxwood's and Mohegan Sun were the premier casino resorts in the world and still continue to be huge attractions with so much more going on that just gambling.  Having something of just a quarter of that caliber in downtown would be amazing and I absolutely jealous watching the potential with Norfolk and Portsmouth right now.

[DalWill]

12 hours ago, jbjust said:

Nothing says "classy" like having an Indian Casino right in the middle of your downtown. 

Actually, selling the city land to the tribe to cover for the mixed use development portion of the deal while Dominion can focus on the arena. That was my perspective.

Truth be told, my gut is telling that Navy Hill is dormant for the moment, not dead.

9 minutes ago, Icetera said:

Having grown up in Northeast Connecticut (former home of the Flying Squirrels) and moved here just after the the casinos opened there, I can tell you first hand that they can be done right and the proposals put up thus far appear to be on track.  Foxwood's and Mohegan Sun were the premier casino resorts in the world and still continue to be huge attractions with so much more going on that just gambling.  Having something of just a quarter of that caliber in downtown would be amazing and I absolutely jealous watching the potential with Norfolk and Portsmouth right now.

Don't be jealous, show your frustrations at the ballot in Nov.

Since we are on the topic about the 757, there's talks about a megaregion effort.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pilotonline.com/inside-business/article_b92028ac-7cfd-11e9-b9d9-c73054c5d414.html%3foutputType=amp

[Icetera]

7 minutes ago, DalWill said:

Actually, selling the city land to the tribe to cover for the mixed use development portion of the deal while Dominion can focus on the arena. That was my perspective.

Truth be told, my gut is telling that Navy Hill is dormant for the moment, not dead.

I am confused here as the land is city owned but the mixed use portion was to be paid by the developers.  How would the land sale pay for the mixed use when it needs to be purchased for the development? 

Edited February 13, 2020 by Icetera

[DalWill]

 

5 minutes ago, Icetera said:

I am confused here as the land is city owned but the mixed use portion was to be paid by the developers, so how would the land sale tie in? 

Just coming off the top of my head with anything that sticks.  One of the council people said that if they paid for it, they'll approve it. Have the PT and Dom. have a partnership over the land in percentages if they paid since citizens didn't want to do that.

[vaceltic]

A city land sale to developers would provide the funds for the city to construct the infrastructure improvements needed to tie into the development (gas, water, sewer, electricity connections). The only portion of land the city would've retained ownership of was the arena and (maybe) the Blues Armory in the Navy Hill proposal. All other land would be privately-owned after the sale. Developers who would now own the land, construct the buildings on the land and can lease the buildings to whom they want. The land value increases and the developers can sell the land and properties to whomever potential owner they want to in the future. 

With respect to Pamunkey, they purchased land (I believe privately-owned previously) in Southside with plans to hire a developer to construct a casino and workforce training center on it. For them to do anything in Navy Hill would require the Pamunkey to find new money to purchase Navy Hill land from the City. 

 

[Icetera]

29 minutes ago, vaceltic said:

A city land sale to developers would provide the funds for the city to construct the infrastructure improvements needed to tie into the development (gas, water, sewer, electricity connections). The only portion of land the city would've retained ownership of was the arena and (maybe) the Blues Armory in the Navy Hill proposal. All other land would be privately-owned after the sale. Developers who would now own the land, construct the buildings on the land and can lease the buildings to whom they want. The land value increases and the developers can sell the land and properties to whomever potential owner they want to in the future. 

With respect to Pamunkey, they purchased land (I believe privately-owned previously) in Southside with plans to hire a developer to construct a casino and workforce training center on it. For them to do anything in Navy Hill would require the Pamunkey to find new money to purchase Navy Hill land from the City. 

 

Going through the city portal, the land is assessed at $40 mil plus around $27 mil in improvements assuming they keep the garages.  The rest of the improvements would need to be leveled, which may require city expense to make the property marketable.  The current improved tax value is $1.6 mil.  We can probably deduct $2.2 mil of Blue's Armory with the loss of the historic tax scheme.  It is a shame that, arguably, the most beautiful building in the center of the city has sat vacant for so long.  In addition to the utilities, the city would also need to restore the street-grid and perhaps re-purpose Blue's.   I still need to find what we currently owe on the coliseum as that was part of the $300 mil.

As far as Pamunkey, their land is assessed at $10.4 mil so perhaps a land swap would be possible.  Obviously, just a thought and would never happen.

[marinog711]

Richmond has not seen the sun since Doomsday on Navy Hill..: just saying 

[Virginian11]

I realize that this is likely the still very fresh Navy Hill Letdown Syndome (NHLS) talking, but a previous poster had an interesting (albeit farfetched) question : why can’t the NH project be shelved for a year and re-proposed, new and improved, in 2021?  I know this is desperation at its finest, but is this even possible assuming Stoney is still around?

This project was just too big and too emotionally charged/supported by many to just quietly fade away....but once again, I’ve got full blown NHLS (see above).  

Edited February 14, 2020 by Virginian11

[Shakman]

As a major carrier of NHLS and not being quarantined, I have to disagree this was too big.  This was just what this city needs.  Richmond needs bold investments to keep us ahead and moving forward.

 

 

Edited February 14, 2020 by Shakman

[Virginian11]

5 minutes ago, Shakman said:

As a major carrier of NHLS and not being quarantined, I have to disagree this was too big.  This was just what this city needs.  Richmond needs bold investments to keep us ahead and moving forward.

 

 

I worry about the poster that gives us the airport updates - he/she has been MIA since Doomsday Monday it appears; I think he/she has got NHLS bad like you and I.  Someone mentioned group therapy...I guess this board is what that is...as long as Brent and Celtic don’t give us a cold splash of reality too forcefully...haha!

[Icetera]

3 minutes ago, Virginian11 said:

I worry about the poster that gives us the airport updates - he/she has been MIA since Doomsday Monday it appears; I think he/she has got NHLS bad like you and I.  Someone mentioned group therapy...I guess this board is what that is...as long as Brent and Celtic don’t give us a cold splash of reality too forcefully...haha!

Ya, have not seen E pop up anywhere in a few days.

[marinog711]

Ok I’ll start... My name is Gary and I have been diagnosed with NHLS.   It seems just like yesterday I was dreaming of seeing wild acrobatics at a Cirque du Soleil show or rocking out at an Reo Speedwagon/Cheap Trick world tour.   Those dreams were wiped away from me on Monday and put my soul in a dark deep abyss full of pain.  As I sit here now listening to my The Cure albums on repeat,  I find it hard to go on with my life here  in Richmond .  Will I need to move to a new city with an arena to get over this ? Am I just having withdrawals for not seeing a Navy Hill ad every time  I turn on tv or get on social media?  Or does time heal all wounds of sorrow caused by city council member Reva McEntire? 
Today I don’t have the answers... All I have is hope that one day Council will get enough rest to be able to make decisions and lead Richmond though the channels of success like our peer cities.  Make City Council Awake Again !

Edited February 14, 2020 by marinog711

[Virginian11]

“Make city council awake again” might be the best quote I’ve read or heard in at least a week.  Well done.  I’d wear that hat.

[Lukepf]

I've been watching since the beginning, but this is my first time positing in this arena thread. I think it is incredibly tragic that Richmond turned down this proposal. One of the main reasons that I moved away from Richmond to Roanoke is the lack of entertainment in Richmond and the obvious poor leadership and mismanagement at the city government level. Unlike Richmond, Roanoke has an arena (The Berglund Center) that is consistently attracting big name shows, concerts, and performers that often perform in front of nearly sold out crowds. For example, just in the past year I have been to see two EXCELLENT Cirque Du Solei shows, and I have tickets to see Jeff Dunham next month at the Berglund Center. Also, Roanoke is home to an ice hockey team because of the Berglund Center. I think it is very sad that Richmond has now fallen behind even much, much, smaller cities such as Roanoke because of a lack of an arena and good entertainment options. It is also evident that the Berglund Center is a huge source of tax revenue for the city and contributes significantly to the local economy. Also, on another topic, the Roanoke area is also home to a nice modern ballpark which hosts our minor league baseball team.

[Icetera]

But you miss the point, Richmond wants to stand out as unique!  Currently, we are the only top 50 metro without an indoor arena and in the top 100 we share this prestigious accomplishment with Chattanooga (#100).  Our metro of 1.3 mil. can just travel to Charlottesville (230k), Hampton Roads (32% greater population with TWO arenas and working towards a larger regional) or take our money out of Virginia entirely (DC).  What a win for the environment and school funds!

Edited February 16, 2020 by Icetera
Updated for Dayton arena

[DowntownCoruscant]

Technically, Dayton belongs on that list but doesn’t really belong. UD Arena seats 15,000 plus and hosted the First Four for years.

[Lukepf]

59 minutes ago, Icetera said:

But you miss the point, Richmond wants to stand out as unique!  Currently, we are the only top 50 metro without an indoor arena and one of 3 in the top 100 (Dayton, #73 and Chattanooga #100).  Our metro of 1.3 mil. can just travel to Charlottesville (230k), Hampton Roads (32% greater population with TWO arenas and working towards a larger regional) or take our money out of Virginia entirely (DC).  What a win for the environment and school funds!

Wow I haven't thought of it that way! What a great point! Must have been how city council was viewing it.

[Icetera]

5 minutes ago, DowntownCoruscant said:

Technically, Dayton belongs on that list but doesn’t really belong. UD Arena seats 15,000 plus and hosted the First Four for years.

I completely missed that one.  Certainly counts since the they host everything that we used to in the Coliseum and more.  Amazing considering that they are close to both Cincinnati and Columbus and so much smaller than Richmond.  How do they book anything?

[DowntownCoruscant]

Ohio is a sneaking populous state with some rather evenly distributed metro areas. 

[Virginian11]

I’m almost wondering if our best shot at a new arena is VCU deciding they need a new venue - though the Stu is only 20 years old (but tiny).  I think a 15-16k seat facility would be perfect for their needs.  Maybe over by the new ballpark?

I also wonder if it’s even humanly possible to refurbish and expand the coliseum - though this would probably be more costly than leveling it and rebuilding. 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Virginian11

[wrldcoupe4]

Vcu doesn’t want a bigger arena. 

[DowntownCoruscant]

Yeah, IIRC, the Stu is expandable a bit, but if you get too big you lose the snake pit atmosphere.

[DalWill]

On 2/11/2020 at 1:37 AM, Icetera said:

Ugh, this is the first time I have ever felt embarrassed to be a Richmonder.  The most optimistic thing to come out of the opposition was Lynch saying this is a way to move forward with new proposals.  At best, that means another 3 years for anything to start, at which point it would likely be too late.  Realistically we are going to see the city center rot while tax exempt housing fills out Scott's Addition and continues to evict Church Hill and Northside residents.  Combined with state bills, Costar has zero incentive to remain so NC-bound sounds likely.  Dominion will raze the old tower in order to only have to pay for undeveloped property taxes.  Dominion may be thought of as a local utility but they are all over the nation.  At worst, they would have been siphoning from other locales for Richmond gain.  MCV will still expand but with the State buying the land, so zero taxes.  All the groups complaining about homelessness will sure as hell see no help now with nothing to leverage.  I did, however, like the idea to open up the Coliseum as it serves not other purpose for the foreseeable future.  After Kim's corrupt shenanigans I may actively fight anything in her district, meaning the Diamond.  After all, if we do not need a multiuse arena, transfer plaza, music hall, housing, offices, etc., because schools, then we definitely do not need a single use ballpark, because schools.

Ahem... you have bigger fish to  fry.

https://www.nbc12.com/2020/02/18/richmond-city-councilor-kim-gray-run-mayor-sources-say/

•  

Quote

 

• RICHMOND

Richmond City Councilor Kim Gray to run for mayor, sources say

 

 

Kim Gray expects to roll out an official campaign bid in March. (Source: Kim Gray Official Facebook)

By Henry Graff | February 18, 2020 at 12:28 PM EST - Updated February 18 at 1:08 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond City Councilor Kim Gray is running for mayor. A source within Richmond City Hall confirmed the information.

Gray expects to roll out an official campaign bid in March.

Gray has spent one term on city council representing Richmond’s 2nd District.

More on Kim from the city’s website:

Employment

• Realtor, self-employed

Education

• Graduate, Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, Class of 2010
• Graduate, Leadership Metro Richmond, Class of 2006

Other Elected Office

• Trustee, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees - Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District
  • January 2, 2013 - December 31, 2016 (Elected November 6, 2012) (four-year term)
  • January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2012 (Elected November 4, 2008) (four-year term)

Richmond City Council

• January 3, 2017 - December 31, 2020 (Elected November 8, 2016) (four-year term)

At this point, no other candidates have thrown their name into the race for mayor.

The city of Richmond, Virginia, is holding a general election for mayor on Nov. 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for June 9, 2020. The filing deadline for this election is March 26, 2020.

Copyright 2020 WWBT. All rights reserved.

 

 

We'll see how this turns out folks. Can't say it's a coincidence though.

Also....

https://richmondbizsense.com/2020/02/18/navy-hill-is-dead-but-qa-with-mayor-levar-stoney/

 

Quote

 

‘Navy Hill is dead, but…’ – Q&A with Mayor Levar Stoney

Jonathan Spiers February 18, 2020

Mayor Levar Stoney speaking in his City Hall office Thursday. (Photos by Jonathan Spiers)

 

This is going to be a HELL of a year.