Richmond Developments

[eandslee]

10 minutes ago, Brent114 said:

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.

You are right on all these accounts, but look at MGM at the National Harbor...there is quite a bit of development spurring from that casino, but that’s the only example I can think of that is spurring development outside of Las Vegas.   The real draw for me is that this would be a destination location/venue. People going there would have to stay somewhere, eat somewhere, or even travel there through some mode of transportation, which could have an economic impact. I wouldn’t mind seeing this right off of I-64 in New Kent (half way between the Hampton Roads/Richnond areas).  

[Wahoo 07]

I really hope that this does not come to fruition.  The last thing Virginia needs is a casino.

[Shakman]

11 hours ago, Wahoo 07 said:

I really hope that this does not come to fruition.  The last thing Virginia needs is a casino.

Agree.  Keep that garbage far away from Richmond.

Edited March 20, 2018 by Shakman

[drayrichmond]

11 hours ago, Wahoo 07 said:

I really hope that this does not come to fruition.  The last thing Virginia needs is a casino.

 

30 minutes ago, Shakman said:

Agree.  Keep that garbage far away from Richmond.

I'm really not sure where I stand on this one, I guess it depends on which demographic they are going to target?

I might be off base here (correct me if I'm wrong), because I haven't stepped foot in a casino in years, but I think casinos like the one in Charles Town target low income/retirees and the MGM in Maryland targets demographics with disposable income looking for more entertainment options.

So, if this were to be like the Charles Town example I would be absolutely against it, but if it's more aligned to the MGM model where they're trying to target a demographic with the disposable income to go gamble and catch a show then I may support it.

Really not sure, it depends on a lot of things.

[CitiWalker]

MY feeling is its their land, therefore they have the right to do what they want to do with it. Who is anyone to tell another group of people not to do what they want to do with what is rightfully theirs. People who do not want to patronize the casino if it comes about don't have to . Just my 2 cents.

 

Edited March 20, 2018 by CitiWalker

[Icetera]

Having grown up in Eastern Connecticut just as the casinos were coming in, I now  see massive changes up there for the better.  Looking at the design and owners I imagine it is being modelled more off of the large resort casinos like the Mashantucket Pequot Foxwoods Resort & Casino and the Mohegan Sun.  While both have on site lodging,  restaurants and entertainment, others spurred in the area as well as many visitors come from surrounded states (NYC, Boston).

As drayrichmond pointed out, West Virginia is a bad example as most of the casinos are on on a lower budget, smaller scale geared toward a different crowd than is likely here.

I am curious as to what development MGM spawned as National Harbor was already growing nicely.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Sadly kind of have to agree with some of the others on here, not trying to be a buzzkill but ye I'm not really into the idea of casinos becoming a thing in VA. That being said citiwalker is right and if we don't like it we can always stay away and let others enjoy it.

[Wahoo 07]

13 hours ago, CitiWalker said:

MY feeling is its their land, therefore they have the right to do what they want to do with it. Who is anyone to tell another group of people not to do what they want to do with what is rightfully theirs. People who do not want to patronize the casino if it comes about don't have to . Just my 2 cents.

 

How do you feel about zoning, building committees, or historical preservation districts?  A property owner does not have an untrammeled right to build or improve his land. 

[CitiWalker]

3 hours ago, Wahoo 07 said:

How do you feel about zoning, building committees, or historical preservation districts?  A property owner does not have an untrammeled right to build or improve his land. 

I am not a fan of building committees or historical preservation districts. I understand that there is a need for zoning to have continuity in developed areas.  I also understand that these things have to do more with the politics of the majority of those being in power at a specific time.  In the case of  what is to be done on a reservation, that  political power rest within the confines  of the designated boarders.  I don't think anyone has the right to tell them what to do with their land given the fact that  the majority of their land was taken from them. Now the little land that is left to them is being debated by others who have  in my opinion no right to decide what happens in that land. Unless they are doing something to poison the land via the water table or some sort of chemical in the air that would affect the health of others, it is hard to regulate what happens on the reservation.  Historic districts  and committees are about what a particular group feels  is important to them. In our society the way it is structured no one is going to have total freedom to do what they want to do. You could only hope to have a minimum amount of restrictions.  I am not in a home owners association because  I feel that it is not somebody else's business to tell me what color my house should be  or what to do with my house I spent my money on.  Some things should be preserved based on history and architectural  relevance, however in an urban environment it is not possible to preserve everything if you are going to have growth. Especially with a city like Richmond that is land locked by the counties ( which in my opinion was by political design) to maximize what land there is. We need regulations  in regards to how our environment is developed. I would never argue that fact. However when we are talking about  a Native American Reservation the same set of rules don't apply and in my opinion nor should they apply. 

Edited March 21, 2018 by CitiWalker

[skinsfan]

Just a few thoughts on this , Judging by the design , they intend on having onsite lodging which is different from Hollywood casino in Charlestown . So I expect them to maybe draw in a different clientele. I feel a casino would help the Va economy as well.  And don’t forget , Virginia is fairly strict so I can see the casino never coming to fruition .  

[Icetera]

20 hours ago, skinsfan said:

Just a few thoughts on this , Judging by the design , they intend on having onsite lodging which is different from Hollywood casino in Charlestown . So I expect them to maybe draw in a different clientele. I feel a casino would help the Va economy as well.  And don’t forget , Virginia is fairly strict so I can see the casino never coming to fruition .  

The strictness is why these casino resorts end up on reservations rather than elsewhere in the state (unlike Maryland, West Virginia, etc).  Connecticut is also strict on gambling yet, up until recently, had the two largest casinos in the world.

Not that I have been personally, but Hollywood Casino also has onsite lodging built into the facility plus low-budget lodging surrounding.    The fact that West Virginia is lax may be why they have lower quality casinos,  due to the quantity of them rather than one or two large resorts.

[skinsfan]

True , they do have lodging on the grounds; not adjacent to the gaming floor. Which I feel helps give it that true casino/resort feel.  You’re not missing much by the way. It’s what you would imagine.  

[drayrichmond]

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/03/23/waffle-shop-deck-redeveloped-centennial-building/

Small article on a restaurant coming to the Centennial building, but the last little bit mentions:

"The 102-year-old Centennial Building was redeveloped by Guy Blundon’s CMB Development in 2016. The $3.5 million renovation put 24 apartment units on the building’s top floors, with a second phase still in the works for an eight-story building on the adjoining lot along Sixth St."

I'm glad they're still considering the expansion, I've been wondering about that, hope to see it actually happen soon, 8 stories in that location will be great to push density into Monroe Ward.

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, drayrichmond said:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/03/23/waffle-shop-deck-redeveloped-centennial-building/

Small article on a restaurant coming to the Centennial building, but the last little bit mentions:

"The 102-year-old Centennial Building was redeveloped by Guy Blundon’s CMB Development in 2016. The $3.5 million renovation put 24 apartment units on the building’s top floors, with a second phase still in the works for an eight-story building on the adjoining lot along Sixth St."

I'm glad they're still considering the expansion, I've been wondering about that, hope to see it actually happen soon, 8 stories in that location will be great to push density into Monroe Ward.

I also forgot about this 8 story residential building.  I wonder what's taking them so long to get started?  Obviously, the demand for more housing is there (we know that to be true with the new census data release).  What I'd really like to see is someone resurrect the Centenntial Tower project (I know, I know...we've been down this road before).  It probably won't be Goldstein that would develop it, but another developer out there should do it...maybe even Guy Blundon's CMB Development.  A 25-30 story tower would look great there.  Just remember that they must ensure that it is mixed use - residential space, a hotel, some office space, some retail space...heck, even put some entertainment space in there (where is Uphoff when you need him?).  I just think that if someone were adventurous enough and had the capability, they should do it (just not WVS - they've proven that they can't do something this great.  Just look at the 321 Locks "tower" they are about to build...dreadfully underwhelming).

Edited March 23, 2018 by eandslee

[Brent114]

Here are two random shots from my truck  window....

Church Hill infill and renovation project on Veneble (I’m really excited about this) and the J Sargent Reynolds culinary school (even more excited about this one). 

 

Ob yeah, it’s a really nice day too! 

 

[tparkerzut]

Is that last picture the grocery store? The grocery store is on the east side of the round about and the culinary school will be on the west side. Can't tell from the picture but it looks like that's the east side between 25th and 24th. Either way i'm very happy about both of these projects, especially the grocery store since I'll be using that as soon as it open!

[Brent114]

That’s the school.  West of the roundabout 

[tparkerzut]

On 3/23/2018 at 5:26 PM, Brent114 said:

That’s the school.  West of the roundabout 

Sorry I miss spoke. The grocery store is west of the roundabout and school is east. The grocery store will be between 24th and 25th street.

Edited March 27, 2018 by tparkerzut

[eandslee]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to build a temple in Richmond!

 

http://wtvr.com/2018/04/01/mormon-church-plans-to-build-temple-in-richmond/

This is a huge thing for members of the LDS (Mormon) Church in Richmond, Norfolk area, and west and southwest Virginia! Economically speaking, this means many will drive from long distances to visit, eat in Richmond’s restaurants, stay in Richmond hotels.

Also, it gives non-members of the Church a chance to go inside and see the temple! More news to follow on location, design, and timetable.

[Brent114]

This is pretty cool. 

If it’s anything like the one in MD it will be a great addition to the Richmond landscape. 

[eandslee]

32 minutes ago, Brent114 said:

This is pretty cool. 

If it’s anything like the one in MD it will be a great addition to the Richmond landscape. 

It certainly will!  It likely won't be as big as the one up in MD (that one is huge), but they are usually located in a prominant place and are beautiful (bright white) pieces of architecture!

[blopp1234]

It appears that this will be on the city center site. This better be a good looking building, because it will be taking up a large section of prime real estate.

[eandslee]

24 minutes ago, blopp1234 said:

It appears that this will be on the city center site. This better be a good looking building, because it will be taking up a large section of prime real estate.

What!?  Where did you hear this (source)?  I have no doubt that if it goes on that site, it will be a very nice structure!  Won't be as tall as a city center-type building, but it WILL be something to be proud of for sure.

Most of the time, temples are built in suburban areas, but it COULD go in the middle downtown.  I just wanted to see if any news has come out about location yet.  Sounded like the City of Richmond might know something, but not entirely sure. 

In Philadelphia, the church built a beautiful one downtown:

https://ldschurchtemples.org/philadelphia/

Edited April 2, 2018 by eandslee

[blopp1234]

In the map at the bottom of the page, the location stays it’s on the vacant lot. I’m not 100% positive, but I don’t think they would have a pinpointed location on a map if they didn’t have a general idea. Hopefully, the city forces them to go to another location in the city, say in the museum district or near Cary town.

[eandslee]

8 minutes ago, blopp1234 said:

In the map at the bottom of the page, the location stays it’s on the vacant lot. I’m not 100% positive, but I don’t think they would have a pinpointed location on a map if they didn’t have a general idea. Hopefully, the city forces them to go to another location in the city, say in the museum district or near Cary town.

The museum district seems a better fit to me if it's to be within the confines of the city at all.  I don't think it will go in at the City Center site...I think the map pin was probably just arbitrary.  Like I said, they usually put them in suburban areas, but we'll see.  I'm waiting to see if the City of Richmond knows anything.  There are some very prominent LDS members in the City who might have some "pull" with regard to where it is placed.  The Knight family comes to mind immediately (they are the owners of the Downtown Marriott as well as the Residence Inn at the Religious Freedom Center area in Shockoe Slip.  They own of Apple REIT - a very big local real estate investment company).