Richmond Developments

[eandslee]

Based off this article from Richmond Biz Sense, it looks like Uphoff is still planning to build his residential tower next to the ICA, although I get the sense that he’s no where near ready to break ground. “All options” wouldn’t be still on the table if he were ready to break ground.  However, he is not budging despite monthly calls from VCU to sell the property.  This is interesting and at least we have an update:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/02/20/vcu-buys-nightclub-building-3-5m/

[Icetera]

3 hours ago, eandslee said:

Based off this article from Richmond Biz Sense, it looks like Uphoff is still planning to build his residential tower next to the ICA, although I get the sense that he’s no where near ready to break ground. “All options” wouldn’t be still on the table if he were ready to break ground.  However, he is not budging despite monthly calls from VCU to sell the property.  This is interesting and at least we have an update:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/02/20/vcu-buys-nightclub-building-3-5m/

“Out of respect for VCU, they’re having their grand opening of their contemporary arts center in April, we wanted to have the space cleared for them so they could have additional parking, or not have our building there.”

Sounds legit...

[Brent114]

So what I think is a huge development hasn’t been mentioned here. 

The assisted living facility at Grace and Jefferson is for sale.  It is a great building.  Having this building renovated makes all of  Monroe Ward ripe for development. 

I’m sorry that the folks living there will be shipped off to (most likely) an undesirable part of town but this property has been holding the whole area back, IMO. 

[wrldcoupe4]

It won’t sell at the price tag

[Shakman]

RPD HQ is here.  Where is this facility?

[Brent114]

Across the street 

[RiverYuppy]

An abandoned church is being turned into an apartment building in Highland Park.  The church looks very nice (if you ignore the whole being abandoned part), so I wish they would keep more of the facade.  However, I still think what they're putting up is going to look decent. Regardless it looks much better than the cluster of abandoned buildings that make up the future development site.  Here is the proposal PDF if anyone is interested.

[blopp1234]

Awesome new development. This will hopefully add density to that intersection and turn that into a hub for development and revitalization. Thanks for the info!

[ZUMAN2]

13 hours ago, RiverYuppy said:

An abandoned church is being turned into an apartment building in Highland Park.  The church looks very nice (if you ignore the whole being abandoned part), so I wish they would keep more of the facade.  However, I still think what they're putting up is going to look decent. Regardless it looks much better than the cluster of abandoned buildings that make up the future development site.  Here is the proposal PDF if anyone is interested.

This is a nice looking building.

[Urbs42]

Curious if anyone has an update on the new Whole Foods development. Is it still progressing? I think the last article I read mentioned it was slated to open this fall. 

[eandslee]

19 minutes ago, Urbs42 said:

Curious if anyone has an update on the new Whole Foods development. Is it still progressing? I think the last article I read mentioned it was slated to open this fall. 

I know that it's currently under construction and proceeding as planned.  Fall sounds like about right for the opening.

[Brent114]

The Whoke Foods walls are going up as I type. 

Also, the crane on Marshall Street will probably go up this weekend.  A few sections of it are sitting behind the Diamond.  I’ve been checking that lot for them.  They started arriving yesterday. 

That lot seems to be the holding area for crane parts.  I was wondering what was up when I saw a bunch there a few weeks ago.  They went to the war memorial site. 

Edited March 15, 2018 by Brent114

[eandslee]

Oh wow!  Excellent reporting!  Interesting that the use the lot behind the diamond for staging crane parts!  Hopefully, they keep that lot full of crane parts!  I expect The Locks crane to go up soon too!

[Brent114]

Happening now on Marshall Street in Jackson Ward....

 

[eandslee]

Thanks for the pics Brent!  This is awesome!!

[Brent114]

I’ll take some more when it’s topped out later today.  It’s rising really nicely above the Maggie Walker Plaza! 

Maybe this means the building will be visible from Broad.  That would be swell! 

[Brent114]

[eandslee]

8 minutes ago, Brent114 said:

Nice!  Thanks for going back and taking a picture after it was fully erected!

[Brent114]

I live  beside the Maggie Walker Plaza (beside Ryder Boots and above Rosewood) so snapping a shot was easy peasy  

[Shakman]

This will be four tower cranes for are beloved city.  

[eandslee]

Could this land somewhere in the Richmond Metro area?  Your thoughts?

http://wric.com/2018/03/19/pamunkey-tribe-considering-700-million-casino-in-virginia/

 

[Icetera]

3 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Could this land somewhere in the Richmond Metro area?  Your thoughts?

http://wric.com/2018/03/19/pamunkey-tribe-considering-700-million-casino-in-virginia/

 

 

This would certainly lead to radical changes in New Kent and King William!  I have eyed a theoretical commuter rail line running from MSS by the airport with an endpoint in West Point.  The line would have a stop in the reservation for a possible casino.  Road access will certainly have to be greatly improved as none currently exists across the river at that point.
 

[blopp1234]

They said in the RTD article that it could be placed on any land that is currently or was once owned by the Paumunkey. I have no idea how much they once controlled but it could lead to it being closer to I-64. Although, even if it stays on the reservation, it could be huge in spurring growth.

[drayrichmond]

1 hour ago, blopp1234 said:

They said in the RTD article that it could be placed on any land that is currently or was once owned by the Paumunkey. I have no idea how much they once controlled but it could lead to it being closer to I-64. Although, even if it stays on the reservation, it could be huge in spurring growth.

One things to keep in mind, now that the Paumunkey are federally recognized they have the ability to buy land and "add" it to the official reservation, e.g. they could buy a plot of land and "add" it to the official reservation in which case they can do what they want with it.

It's tough to say where they'll end up putting it:

I can imagine they might try the Hampton Roads area, as they have many members in that area and it already has a decent tourist base

I can also see them putting it closer to RVA to grab some of that sweet DC money coming down I95

I honestly don't know, it's a toss up in my book.

[Brent114]

I wouldn't expect much development spurred by a casino.  Gas station/Arby’s combo will probably be the extent of it. 

Dover? Nothing.  Charlestown? Nothing. Harrisburg? Nothing.  Atlantic City? Circling the drain and that’s with multiple casinos, 20 million people within  a 2 hour drive and the ocean as assets. 

 

Think about KD and the thousands of visitors it receives every day.  In 40+ years it has only been able to support a Burger King and 1-2 cheap motels.

Edited March 20, 2018 by Brent114