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So I guess I should have read about the Green Alleys before I headed over there. I thought they would be literally green...in the form of some type of public greenway, a pocket park of sorts. This is a pic of the one between 4th and 5th streets: Obviously its an improvement (visually and environmentally), but part of me is disappointed that its not (literally) green. Haha.

Hmmm...Green Alleys? I think I am going to bike over there and check it out. Right now as a matter of fact. If I can catch some quality pics with my cell phone then I will post them, but it may be difficult unless they are very well lit.

It may have been announced already, but I noticed a few days ago that a new small (very small) grocery mart is opening on W. Broad Street at the corner of Goshen, I believe (I think it may actually be called Goshen Grocery). Its occupying two adjacent storefronts. While, on the one hand, its nice to see a vacant retail space become occupied, I question how they expect to remain competitive in that area. I'm sure they're banking on their convenient location as their competitive advantage, but with Kroger (and its lower prices) just blocks away, it will definitely be an uphill battle. I've worked with small grocery stores before and I can say with almost 100% certainty that they won't be able to price their goods competitively with Kroger (unless they have figured out some formula that I haven't). One thing that they could do is accept RamBucks, the VCU student's currency of choice. I'm not sure what kind of process it would take to be able to accept RamBucks payments, but I'm sure it would be worthwhile. Several of the stores in the area (many of the restaurants around campus, and I think even the two 7-Elevens) take RamBucks but surprisingly Kroger does not (not that I'm aware of, anyway).

I toured Ram Cat Alley a few months ago. It was a really nice place. Very nice finishes (not really high end, but still very nice). Wood floors and very contemporary details. The apartments I looked at were both 1 bedroom, 2 story apartments that were pretty spacious. Pretty decent amenities as well (free high speed & wifi, free upgraded cable, all utilities included [except electric]). The gym (aka a room with about 4 or 5 treadmills) was a complete joke, but most apartment-complex gyms are. Its a really nice place compared to other Downtown/VCU area, student-grade apartments (I say student-grade because that's basically who they appear to be targeting: VCU students and the artsy/hipster crowd). I came very close to signing a lease there, but just as I was about to submit the app, the apartment was taken. They actually have one unit still on the market (as of Friday). ~$1200 I think. One or two bedroom, I believe. As far as developments, has anyone heard anything about the on-again, off-again construction around Broad Street and 1st and 2nd streets? Some days I've seen workers milling around in the store-fronts, and I've seen new windows go in on a few of the properties, but really no significant, consistent work being done. Also, any news (or pics) of progress on the development near the McDonald's on East Broad?

It very much is a bargain-basement price. While I have no clue what the Circuit City HQ building looks like, if its anything more than a warehouse, the price was incredibly cheap. We're talking just over $10 square foot. Replacement cost for that quality office space could easily be 10x (or more) what was paid. Then consider that office space in the area rents from $13-20/sq ft/year and that was one solid investment. Also I think it was appraised at over $45 million in late 09, early 10. To put this into perspective, when CapOne purchased two buildings in July..they paid ~$85/square foot. Then when you add in the 58 acres for $2.7 million....this could very much be the best bargain in Richmond area real estate for 2010. One of those "if only I had $6million" situations. Note: I'm not sure how it works, though. Is it possible that, with the $3million paid, Pruit assumed the mortgage debt? I didn't read anything about it in the article. Even if that were the case, its still a great deal.

This was my first full summer in Richmond so it was quite the introduction to Richmond-area heat/humidity. But I survived this year, a record-breaker, so I should have no problem in the coming years (unless they continue to break records).

Nice pic. Was this taken from the top of the CNB building? I'd really love to find a way into that building (as safely and legally as possible)

Interesting info (possibly already mentioned) but according to the VCU SGA facebook page, the Laurel and Grace parking deck will have an IHOP! Too bad i'll be graduating before it opens. =(

Yeah, I was passing by a building on the South side of Broad Street (I would guess the 400 or 300 block) and saw the renderings of the parking deck in a vacant store front. They looked a lot better than I expected. Also, a bit of a tip I heard from a friend: Apparently, VCU has purchased the building on West Broad Street that housed the former "Common Groundz" (734 W. Broad Street). This is the building on the north side of Broad Street on the same block as the Broad and Belvidere Student Housing. My friend (a current tenant) said he and his roommates were offered a few thousand dollars and a full refund of their security deposit to vacate the building by the end of August though their lease expires next March. Apparently whoever purchased the building (presumably the university) has immediate plans for it. Its a fairly narrow lot so I'm not sure what they would put there if they tore it down. Anyway, if anyone has any more info on it please post it.

Do you have any info about Grace St dorm project? I saw the equipment that you were referring to and I saw them drilling in the lot at the corner of Laurel and Grace but had no idea why. I didn't even know there were talks of any dorms a long Grace. Thats good news to me, though I'll have graduated by the time they finish construction.

Given its location, its doubtful that there will be any ground floor retail, unfortunately. I wish they would consider a multi-purposed/mixed-use approach, though. Perhaps even building a few floors of upperclassman housing. VCU really needs to expand its inventory of student residences, as it can be pretty difficult to get student housing if you aren't a freshman. VCU has a chance to completely transform that section of Grace St (from Belvidere to the police station area). I'm very confident that putting students in that area could change the entire face of that corridor in a way that a parking structure can't. On the bright side, however, at least it should be easier to find parking..lol.

Oddly enough, the video is actually hosted on the LA Times website. Not sure why the link isn't working but I'll try again. Click Here

I think the problem at the National was mainly the falling ice but not much damage to the building itself. However, they did have the entire block that city hall occupies completely cordoned off. The glass canopy on the Broad street entrance of city hall was shattered by falling ice/snow. As Brent said, the facade has some damage as well. Here's a video: http://www.latimes.com/wtvr-city-hall-snow-fall,0,1399234.story

I wonder if VCU will see a spike in applications because of it, as they did witht he more recent national exposure of their basketball program. I wouldn't doubt it.

I didn't know where to post this (and for some reason I can't send messages to members) so I'll ask here: TBurban, I read in another thread that you are at VCU. Are you in the urban/regional planning program? If so how do you like it? I'm about to graduate (undergrad) and I'm thinking about doing the joint MURP/JD program at VCU and UofR and was wondering if anyone had any experience in the VCU planning program.