eandslee
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Posts posted by eandslee
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57 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:
@RVABizSenseMike has reporting in today's RBS that Owens and Minor has sold their Atlee Station headquarters building to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The company will relocate to a new, yet-to-be-disclosed headquarters building somewhere in metro Richmond by the end of the year. The domino effect is interesting because it raises the question of whether or not VDOT will join the exodus of state agencies from downtown RVA. The state is looking to potentially redevelop the eastern portion of the Capitol campus and the old VDOT headquarters (formerly known as the Highway Department Building) at 1401 E. Broad and the Monroe Tower are part of that mix.
Wow... what with the VABC headquarters a few miles south and east of this site, how crazy would it be to have two major state agencies located along I-295.
From today's Richmond BizSense:
https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/05/08/owens-will-move-elsewhere-in-the-region/
I’m also interested in knowing where O&M will end up…somewhere in Richmond suburbia (probably likely…and in a smaller building) or somewhere in the City proper (my preference = downtown in a newly developed building)? Maybe they want to be a part of the momentum CoStar is building downtown! One can only hope! We need some positive secondary and third order effects from CoStar’s investment downtown. Thought we might have seen some movement from other companies by now. Since we haven’t, seems like CoStar is the “crazy one” who is putting all their eggs in the downtown basket! Not much of a wave.
2 hours ago, RiverYuppy said:I'm rather disappointed by this. Not only will VDOT leaving downtown suck a lot of employees (and customers) from downtown, what does it say that the Department of Transportation is in one of the least possibly ideal place for non-car transportation.
We need the government promoting the urban core--not suburban sprawl.
…and you know it’s not a good sign when state government operations are fleeing local government! Say what?! Geez…have we learned anything from our history?
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On 4/24/2024 at 9:00 PM, eandslee said:
Anyone know what a developer is looking to build at 2201 Mcdonough St in Manchester? It is requiring a SUP. If you want to learn more, I screenshotted the details here:
I’ve got the latest news on what is being proposed on McDonough. Looks like 250 (another place lists 262?) affordable apartments (1-3 br). The Nashville developer is seeking a SUP for a multi-family development on the property. Appears to be only 3-5 stories across 3 different buildings and a sea of parking (not liking that). Anyway, more details, to include the actual recording of the meeting can be found here:
https://southrichmondnews.com/2024/05/07/more-that-250-apartments-proposed-for-mcdonough/
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Just some photos of the airport (RIC) this gray, misty morning from a friend of mine who posted these on Facebook. Special thanks and credit to Dereck Tingfah. Enjoy!
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7 hours ago, Child2021 said:
That is an awesome photo!! Work is coming along nicely on both projects!
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1 hour ago, blopp1234 said:
I’d also love for a lounge to be added, the most likely candidate would probably be an escape lounge, which has locations at midsized to smaller airports (such as Hartford, Cincinnati, Columbus, Reno, Syracuse, West Palm Beach, etc.) so RIC, with all its business traffic would be a shoe in if it weren’t for one thing. It’s tough to justify a lounge at RIC currently as lounges are almost always post security and with RIC splitting passengers between concourse A and B, the lounge would only be available to someone flying out of one concourse and not the other. This would cut down on the amount of passengers able to use the lounge. This is not to mention all of the current retail spots post security are in use and no vacancies currently exist. Consolidating the TSA checkpoint would open up thousands of square feet for new retail and lounge space, which is why it’s very high on the airports priority list for future construction projects.
That’s what this lounge is…an Escape Lounge. Agreed - a lounge couldn’t be built until they consolidate all the security into one place. But man, it was nice to sit in there and wait for my flight to board! Definitely a plus for me and my experience at Syracuse! RIC can’t get one fast enough! I’d say where Applebees current is located (or some other new space) would be a great location. Anyway, was just sharing my experience at a small airport to show that RIC has some work to do. If people like the airport (RIC) the way it is now…it’s only going to get even more awesome with the security consolidation and an Escape Lounge!
more pics of SYR Airport (a busy little place):
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Flew to Syracuse, NY this week for a business trip. Whenever I travel I like to compare airports and I gotta say, for a small town, Syracuse, NY has a NICE airport with all the amenities of a large airport! First, there are 27 gates divided by 2 concourses (A and B) with a central security area so that passengers can wander through both concourses. I was not expecting this, but I’m currently sitting in a priority lounge in the airport! This small airport has a lounge…and it’s NICE! It’s small, but I’ve seen smaller. I took some pics of the lounge (below). RIC, with all its business travelers is LONG over due for a lounge like this one! And this airport only serves about 1.5-2 million passengers a year! Impressive airport to say the least. I think RIC is behind and needs to catch up when I compare the two airports. I know that a lounge is only in the discussion phase for RIC, but that needs to be bumped up in priority! Just my 2 cents. Here’s are some photos of the lounge:
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55 minutes ago, Child2021 said:
Well yesterday was fun for me, I went on very nice Real Estate tour with the VCU school of business. While I was on my tour a reprehensive from GRP was basically telling us all about the metrics that Richmond has an advantage over other areas, but she didn't tell us about any more projects in the works for the region due to confidential reasonings. I will say it was a fun day, We toured project speedway, Henrico sports and event center, Wegmans new distribution (btw they had 28,000 applications from people to work there, and of course accepted only north of 600 people), and a Marchetti warehouse development and we met Marchetti himself along with a broker and a women from the City's EDA. I will say the Wegman's center was interesting to most as they have a banana curing machine, where they essentially warm the bananas up to ripen enough before shipping them out to customers.
I would love to spend the day with someone from GRP and take a tour like what you did. I want some inside info though. I’ll keep it quiet, I promise! Must have been a cool day. What did they say Richmond has over other areas that were advantages?
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1 hour ago, I miss RVA said:
Very cool! How long will you be in town? There's SO much to explore and see, and obviously much of your exploration will involve of practical stuff for your daughter. HOWEVER - If you and your family happen to have have any time left over to just play tourist for a day or two, may I humbly suggest a visit to the absolutely AMAZING Japanese and Italian gardens at Maymont Park. Both gardens are beautiful and, personally, I find the Japanese Garden to be breathtaking. Maymont's not far from Carytown.
I’ll piggyback on that recommendation and add: A visit to the State Capital (free and absolutely beautiful…they do free tours throughout the day as well), Brown’s Island/Canal Walk/T. Potterfield Bridge (some of the best views of downtown from the river), Hollywood Cemetery is really cool (you can drive through and/or walk through…it’s huge though), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (if you’re into that sort of thing - free and one of the best in the nation), hit up Shockoe Bottom/17th St Market Place/Libby Hill for the views (just a small area of restaurants and shops), Edgar Allen Poe Museum (a fee to enter, if I remember correctly), you already mentioned Carytown, go to a Flying Squirrels game (if you’re okay with baseball and if they’re playing in town when you’re there…and it’s next to Scott’s Addition), and Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (have to drive there, but not too far - a fee to enter). Others here might be able to recommend some good restaurants in the area. Enjoy your stay and tell your friends back home about Richmond! Welcome!
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2 hours ago, victory said:
Greetings from Columbia, SC! My daughter has been accepted to attend the University of Richmond. I'll be driving up there to move her into her dorm in August. I am looking at hotels in Richmond. I've never visited your city before, and would like a local's advice. I am not looking to stay as close to the campus as possible, but instead, I'd like to stay more around the Carytown area. It looks like there are few, if any hotels in Carytown (although there are Airbnbs), and most of my searches put me in Scotts Addition. The Courtyard Scotts Addition seems like a possible landing spot, as it is apparently walking distance to a slew of restaurants and breweries. Would that be a good location? Also, if you do know of a hotel in Carytown, please let me know. Since I've never visited, and plan to stay two nights checking out things, I'd like to be in a good area. Many thanks!
I think you’re good at that hotel (Courtyard). Technically it’s on the other (west side) of I-195, but still within walking distance of all the amenities and fun things to do in Scott’s Addition.
Congrats to your daughter getting into U of R - tough school to get into and man, what a beautiful campus!!
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A cool little accolade from Axios Richmond this morning, that Richmond has one of the nation’s hottest job markets! Really?! Who knew? I guess it depends on the job you are looking for. Article says we even beat out Raleigh and DC! What?! See for yourself:
https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/05/01/richmond-job-market-ranking-affordable-growth
Take notice, rest of the world!!
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March statistics were just released for RIC. Looks like another record month for the month of March. In March, there were 413,326 passengers served! That’s a 7.32% increase over March last year. While I’d like to see that growth rate higher, it’s not stagnant. However, what we need is more (new) service announcements to fuel increased capacity for more passengers, more frequency (where warranted), as well as a commitment from airlines for more new destinations to attract more travelers.
Then there’s the obvious - international service that was promised was coming. Well, it’s not likely to come anytime soon. Any new route announcement right now would be months away, but what’s more, the new FIS is ready - the problem? There’s no identified user (airline) for the facility. Nice to have the facility, but with no user(s), it does no good. It could be that the philosophy of “build it and they will come” is at work here, but only time will tell. Just hope it doesn’t take too long.
So, by comparison, ORF drew in 375,065 passengers in the month of March… the major difference is that they’re growing at 12.5% (March was their 14th consecutive month of record passenger numbers). This leaves me concerned and will continue to do so unless RIC is able to draw even more passengers through more routes (international routes?)/destinations, increased frequency and increased capacity soon!
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1 hour ago, Child2021 said:
An altered future photo of Scott's Addition.
Can you point out the difference?
The Chasen Project by Capital Square!
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4 hours ago, Flood Zone said:
Has the height been adjusted upward? CoStar issued a press release back when saying the height would be 421 feet (i.e., actual height, not CoStar height). Monroe is 449 feet.
I actually thought I remember the height being 425-6 feet.
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Yeah, definitely construction has started, but I have to say, the lot for it is fairly small. A crane, if it will require one, should be installed any day now. I can’t imagine them doing too much more without one…but I’m not an expert.
51 minutes ago, Brent114 said:The Outlier is pretty far along already (insofar as there are concrete forms reaching two stories already). There was a (red) crane base installed last week. Maybe the crane went up over the weekend?
I think this is the red crane base you speak of?
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58 minutes ago, Child2021 said:
The site is in the process of being cleared, and its on the mall ring road across the homes hotel.
So somewhere in the highlighted area below? Here’s the RBS story in it, but I don’t have access to it anymore. I’m sure it shows where this will sit (https://richmondbizsense.com/2021/04/30/9-story-130-room-hotel-planned-next-to-short-pump-town-center/ ). I was just taking a guess in the map below:
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39 minutes ago, Child2021 said:
I know this might be randome, but when do you guya think that we may see a luffing crane get erected around here? I know we pretty much seen all the other types of cranes.
Once CoStar plans to expand its campus by adding at 50-story tower! LOL!
All joking aside…I think these are used for really tall towers, right? If so, who knows if we’ll ever see one of these used in Richmond…well, I’ll never say never - I hope to see one, but that will depend on how well Richmond grows; whether or not it is able to draw the need for such a tall tower.
Hey, would the City Center proposed 40-story tower use one?
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7 hours ago, Child2021 said:
On a happy note, once the proposed hotel tower by Short Pump Towne Center is finished it reach 9 - 10 stories, and it will officially be known as the first "high-rise" in the Short Pump area. It will stick out too, as the mall sits on a tall hill.
Yeah…whereabouts on the Short Pump Town Center premises is this on being built again? If it abuts up to the interstate, that would be cool as you’ll see it as you are driving in on I-64, giving some of the first sign, driving eastbound, that you just entered Richmond’s urban landscape!
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7 hours ago, Child2021 said:
Awesome article! I hope the right people take notice and give Richmond the attention and chance it needs to compete for high tech companies. It only takes one to announce that it’s moving to Richmond and all heads will turn! So much potential Richmond has! Just need more willing to make a commitment to her!
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47 minutes ago, wrldcoupe4 said:
All good buddy, I just love to hear what you think being from out of town but also passionate about it all.
I figured so…living up the road in a huge metropolis, I can say that Richmond still feels small, but it’s is coming into its own - beginning to feel bigger. It’s true what they say - Richmond is a little big city, which has a lot of appeal. I do like the ability to easily drive anywhere without any traffic, but having some big-city amenities is essential to make Richmond more attractive. Love to see growth similar to what’s happened in formally unattractive parts of DC, which now are big-time “happening” places…very similar to Scott’s Addition. Density needs to always be the rule in any new development and will be an important element to change the perception that Richmond is a small, sleepy town. More high-paying jobs need to bring more diversity, which will warrant even more big-city amenities. The economy must boom, which increases the importance of the work that organizations like GRP does. Richmond is my hometown…I have plans to move back to area eventually (in the not too distant future). It’s just becoming more and more attractive to folks like me who live in NoVA…but we need to have big-city amenities - things we’re used to having. Traffic in Richmond is NOTHING and that is a huge “plus” toward its attractiveness. As Richmond grows, it needs to ensure its stays well ahead of the influx of people by increasing public transportation options and efficacy (we like good, efficient, public transportation), but also proper built-out road infrastructure where good public transportation is not. Airport HAS to grow. Finally, love cool destination locations within the metro areas as well - The Lake, GreenCity, the Riverfront Amphitheater, a new Brown’s Island…all of these are awesome additions that make the area unique - love it! Anyway, just some additional thoughts.
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3 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:
Thanks for taking. What’s your commentary?
I probably should have provided some commentary, but at the time of posting, I was too tired to write anything. I’ll go back and provide my thoughts.
Commentary added!
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…Continued - Scott’s Addition area: First up is the Hardee’s on AA Blvd, which has a fence around it and definitely had some workers onsite who appeared to be preparing the site for demolition. Looking forward to the new hotel there. Next up, forgot the name, but it’s the tower with the apartments that will have shared common spaces. Next up, The Ace - certainly starting to make a major presence in the area. Once it gains a few more floors, it will really feel urban in that area. This whole area is going to be booming with construction when the DD kicks off (not that there’s not a lot of construction in the area already). I know this might be annoying to those who live in the area, but the whole place will be amazing when it’s all done. It’s like a whole new city being built from the ground up there. Wish there was a bit more height, but I think it will come - the place is such a popular place to be and space is starting to run out. No other way to expand but to build up! I’m very excited for this area. Just wish more change would spill around I-95/I-64. It’s important that passersby see the major changes happening there. Right now, unless you’re looking for it, it’s hard to see that the place is undergoing any change - gotta get rid of the unsightly building that line the Interstate! Other photos here of the Chasen project - which really looks nice and will be awesome once fully built. Thought that the Icon, the Otis, and all other similar buildings height-wise look great! Just imagine the additional building recently announced surrounding the Otis! The feel of the area is just so newly classic! Novel updates to finish off the photos.
Lots of empty residences right now (due to construction), but once all of these fill up, this place will be BOOMING with street life - should be people everywhere!
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Drove around a little today and took some photos from my car (it was a bit rainy this morning and this was the best way to cover the most ground). Anyway, here goes a photo dump:
Springline at District 60 - As I mentioned yesterday, the massing of this project is tremendous and really makes a statement not only from the Midlothian Turnpike point of view, but most importantly (to me anyway), it really steps up the urban feel of Chippenham Parkway - makes you feel like you’re in a city and not on a highway in the middle of a rural countryside…something Route 150 has needed since it was built! Trees on each side of the road blocks all the development around it, but there are fewer trees to block this development, so it shines bright and big!
…Continued - downtown and Shockoe - I wanted to capture how downtown looks from the Downtown Expressway (first few photos), however the photos don’t give the view and feel much justice. I do wonder how the new CoStar tower might enhance this. My fear is that the trees on the side of the highway might block some of the view of the campus, but then again, this is a commuter route and not many out-of-towners use this highway. Probably more important that it have an influence from the I-95 perspective, which it should. Then, my focus was on the Bakery lofts in Shockoe Bottom. It definitely makes a statement being the tallest building in the area surrounding it. Just needs others to join it and the area between it and I-95 is just a sea of ugly, run-down parking lots. This area is just begging for development- it is sooo needed!
Other various shots of the bottom to include 17th St Marketplace - there were some people walking around there, which was encouraging to see. Views of VCU health from the Bottom. Loved how the Government Center area of Broad looks with the Old City Hall and new GA Building. I noticed that there were at least several people waiting at each Pulse stop and I also saw tourists walking around and crossing the streets. Encouraging to see some life in the streets, but still not enough…needs so much more. Last photos are of the site of the new arts building at Broad and Belvidere - there is a large piece of equipment onsite. Once built, it will help compliment the Contemporary Arts Museum.
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Just drove by Springline at District 60 and I have to say, in person you really get a sense of the massing this development brings. Looks awesome! Photos doesn’t do it any justice.
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Anyone know what a developer is looking to build at 2201 Mcdonough St in Manchester? It is requiring a SUP. If you want to learn more, I screenshotted the details here:
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Richmond's Suburban Developments
in Richmond
Posted
I’m not sure what the right answer to bringing businesses and people downtown is either. But what I can do is provide what I’ve observed from other cities:
- There’s usually a district famous for something downtown…tourism!…be it a music scene, a major food scene…something. Richmond has Carytown, but I would argue that it doesn’t hold any nationwide fame…maybe just state-wide fame? The Riverfront Amphitheater may change that though for RVA’s CBD. We’ll have to wait and see.
- Usually, there is some sort of major industry or employer downtown. In that realm, what is Richmond known for? It used to be banking. Now, it’s probably law firms, government (becoming less so), and commercial real estate research with CoStar coming online. But even that isn’t well established and hasn’t built a reputation yet. Maybe in time. RVA needs something…something BIG!
- There also has to be some draw to get people to live in the CBD as well. What advantages are there to living downtown that you don’t get living in the burbs? Right now, I see no major advantage. Usually, you could say that living downtown, you’re close (even walking distance) to everything. What are you close to if you live downtown Richmond? Maybe some jobs, but not a lot of those. What unique amenities does it offer? You might say that you have more access to things in the burbs. If we’re struggling to answer that question, there in lies the problem. However, what comes first? People or the amenities? High-paying jobs (maybe so)? Who’s going to make the first move? Right now, it’s really expensive to live downtown…and for what? What are you getting for the amount you pay? Is it worth whatever you’re getting? Maybe not for most people right now.
All of this is frustrating to watch, but one thing’s for sure - something has to change. We can’t just sit here doing the same thing and expect a different result (insanity?). Is it the city leaders we have to change? Is it the policies? Is it the services? Is it the schools? Is it the ability to be downtown and feel safe? Is it tax rates? What is keeping people and businesses away from coming downtown? If we can answer that question, I think that’s half the battle. The other half is that we need to do something about it to effect change.
Okay, nuff said…stepping down now.