Hike
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Posts posted by Hike
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9 hours ago, eandslee said:
Hmmm…I’m thinking that he’s talking about something more like Whole Foods at Pentagon City…unless you are reading that Carytown is NOT the way to do it (I read it the opposite way). Whole Foods Pentagon City:
That’s nice! Doubt that scale of building is coming here. If you take the Publix in Carytown, add “x” number of apartments on top, it’s in essence what this is, just a smaller scale, there’s a parking deck within, it’s tight to the street, wanted to show there’s a project here that’s not just a single story, 4 block flat roof with a sea of parking surrounding the grocery store.
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5 hours ago, I miss RVA said: - Idk. Much as I honestly do like Dr. S. and respect his tremendous knowledge and ability to give over the story of various neighborhoods, the history of a given locale, I just don't know about this one. He's a great writer - and I've had the privilege to hear him speak back in the day. I'd LOVE to attend his classes at VCU. And I preface what I'm about to say with the stone cold fact that I have a TON - and I do mean a TON - of respect for the man.
THAT SAID: I don't know how I feel about him writing about the Monroe tower - for a variety of reasons. First and foremost -- he's a 100%, died-in-the-wool, over-the-top, UBER-preservationists - and anyone on here who wants to argue counter to that needs to wake up and smell the cow pies and go back and read through mountains of what he's written over the years. Has he toned it back in recent years? Yes - he's not QUITE as obsessive about it today as he was decades ago when he was the architecture critic at large for Style Weekly and was really promulgating a certain gospel regarding preservation in Richmond that I cannot abide by and will never - EVER agree with. I doubt his positions have changed much - but he has come to temper his enthusiasm just a bit and appears to have become slightly more accepting of progress in Richmond, even seaming to embrace it to a very small degree.
I FEAR he would be ALL-IN to demo the Monroe building and replace it either with a park/green space, etc. - or to recreate two/three-story "historic" architecture that went hasta la bye bye long before the Monroe tower was a twinkle in some architect's eye. I-95's construction and the reconfiguring of 14th Street pretty much sent any/all buildings along the location of the Monroe building to the old wrecking-ball graveyard. And somehow - I just don't see Dr. Slipek advocating for keeping a truly ICONIC structure like the Monroe tower (regardless of how ugly it might be) because of its location as an anchor on the eastern edge of the skyline and its height - one of only a couple of legitimately "tall" buildings in Richmond that meets international criteria to be called a "skyscraper". And the ham-handed preservationist argument of "Monroe doesn't need to be saved just because it's 'old' (in relative terms) because the architecture is ugly" just blows my mind when the same folks will turn around and advocate for a one-story building in the middle of a city block that is -- yes -- quite a bit older than the Monroe building but has absolutely ZERO distinguishing architectural features - somehow is worthy or preservation - just BLOWS MY MIND. And it's the exact kind of argument I can hear him using.
FLIP SIDE: His piece last week about how awesome the Silver Line to Dulles is really irked me - because if something like that were proposed to come to pass in Richmond, at least in years/decades gone by, there was at least a better-than-equal chance he would have opposed it because it was too "big city" for a place like Richmond.
What's the adage? "A Tiger doesn't change its stripes."
That said - I have VERY mixed feelings about him writing anything about the Monroe building. My gut tells me - HELL NO! And I think I'm going to go with my gut on this one.
That’s what I’m trying to gauge, is this something worth keeping or should it be torn down? I’m thinking about an impartial look at both cases and that may not be possible with E.S.
I’m on the fence with how I feel about this project. On one hand, that’s been the signature tower, is part of every skyline picture and view, on the other hand, it’s old and needs an influx of $, updates, it sits alone over there. Where are we if it comes down and another 12 story apartment takes its place. It’s on a bit of an island over there, nested between interstate, 6 lanes of internal roads, a train station, what can be done? These are questions that I’d like to see explored by someone, if there’s someone impartial that could consider both, that was my interest, maybe it’s just this board. -
52 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:
I don't think a well-designed grocery store - particularly integrated into a good, well-designed urban format - would be outside the guidelines of the SAP for, say, Shockoe Bottom. As long as we're not talking about a wide, flat, one-story building (whether warehouse type or not) and oodles of parking, I'd be happy. No doubt, it costs more to integrate a grocer into a larger overall development, whether it's a ground-level of a bigger residential building or in a true mixed-use building. Or even as a stand-alone, perhaps with multiple levels rather than a single-floor footprint - integrated into a block of development.
My hope for Manchester is that we could snag a decent grocer to go into the ground floor of a much larger development that would be part of a cohesive "downtown Manchester" kind of design. I absolutely DON'T want any portion of those four square city blocks of the parcel to be turned into a one-story flat store surrounded by parking - or even with an integrated parking deck. There needs to be more than JUST the store wherever it's built.
I think what you’re describing is something similar to the Publix in Carytown.
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I wonder if someone like Ed Slipek would be interested in a commentary on the future of the Monroe building, what are the merits of saving it, should it just go or is it worth saving?
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4 hours ago, RVABizSenseMike said:
I've mentioned y'all's appetite for more airport coverage to the powers-at-be here at BizSense. We've covered things like concourse expansions at RIC in the past but I hear y'all's concern that there are things happening there that might be going uncovered locally. (I also have to mention that we're a small team so cultivating an entire new beat in the airport would be more tricky and time-consuming than one might think)
Lastly, if anyone has an idea for a piece about RIC, we do accept guest commentary submissions. If you're interested, feel free to DM me or email me at [email protected]
One thing that could happen, why doesn’t the airport advertise itself? It does a very poor job of getting word out about itself.
I was thinking about what would be a starter “article” and when thinking about it, I could see something like just basic stuff, RIC has grown, passenger growth, these are the carriers, here’s the routes, here’s where they want to grow and where they hope to go, challenges, hidden costs beyond just a low cost option elsewhere and why to fly RIC.
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On 1/27/2023 at 7:54 PM, eandslee said:
So, the date I’m throwing out there is:
Saturday, 22 April 2023
I hope to make this, have it penciled in.
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2 hours ago, I miss RVA said:Even though the resolution is VERY grainy due to distance, quality of the cam and where it's focused, it appears that we can see just a bit of the skeleton of the Pinecrest/Parc View on the downtown skyline. The view is limited not only by the quality of the picture but by the angle - the cupola of the former William Byrd hotel (which is now an apartment building, yes?) on Broad Street blocks almost all of the view. But if you look just left of the cupola you can see part of the structure sort of "superimposed" in front of the Monroe tower. So I think we're getting a few of a very small portion of the Parc View from as far away as 3300 Cutshaw Avenue.
Check it out!
Me thinks I see it, does remind me of this meme though.
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1 hour ago, I miss RVA said:
Dirt is definitely being moved at CoStar!!
I've been watching the excavator loading up dump trucks with dirt -- the view from the WRIC-8 weather cam at the Virginia War Memorial is PERFECT. It's helped by the lack of foliage right now, and obviously the trees will change this in a few months. But for now - we can CLEARLY see the excavator just digging away and dropping scoop after glorious scoop into dump trucks.
Check out the screen shot from the WRIC-8 cam - I zoomed in on the excavator.
I dig it!
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I’ve been thinking of doing this since the thread started, couldn’t resist, sorry folks, I’ll see myself out.
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3 hours ago, I miss RVA said:
When I first saw this - I immediately said "RUT ROHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" - but after reading through the story, I'm replacing it with "DON'T PANIC" in BIG, friendly letters (a la "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".
RBS is reporting that developers are pushing back the opening of the amphitheater a full year due to delays in starting construction. Site work is underway and will continue - but delays have disrupted their time-table and rather than rush to try to meet the original fimeframe- they're taking a more conservative approach and being generous with building in sufficient time to get fully underway and to develop the project.
Some NIFTY, NEW RENDERINGS over which we may all pretend to be Pavlov's Dog!
From today's Richmond BizSense:
Between Costar and this project, the riverfront is about to have a busy summer. I like the fact that they said they’re starting soon and actually finishing in late 2024, ahead of the outdoor music scene for 2025.
I’d like to see a rendering of the back of the stage building, that has a prominent location and lot of visibility as well.“The group expects that construction could start by early summer, with the project’s 18-month schedule putting completion at the end of 2024 at the earliest.”
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4 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:
Excellent!! Perhaps you might serve as the OFFICIAL engraver of the RVA/UP YDM Award Silver Port-a-Potty Trophy?
Sounds good!
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3 hours ago, I miss RVA said:
Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllrighty gentlemen - I was going to make the official presentation last night but got sidelined with some other things.
I am pleased and proud to present the OFFICIAL RVA/UP "You Da Man" SILVER Port-A-Potty Trophy to our RVA/UP "You Da Man" award winners for the week of January 22-28, 2023.
Congratulations and a hearty MAZAL TOV go to:@Brent114 @Hikeand @Ward Wood!! Your names are engraved on the prestigious SILVER Port-A-Potty trophy in recognition of your outstanding contributions last week in grabbing some amazing and timely pictures of the crane at Pinecrest/Parc View and the cranes at Westminster Canterbury. Extra congrats to @Brent114who has won this fantastic (and fun!) award in back-to-back weeks!
With Sharpie, small, making room for all the future recipients
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44 minutes ago, eandslee said:
@Hike’s story checks out based on this Instagram post. So it looks like it got a late start, but there appears to be movement now!
Well, technically, it was the Richmond Times Dispatch’s report, but I know what you mean
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11 minutes ago, Downtowner said:
You know what I love about this forum? We can discuss things that we want to happen we all share the same visions. We want Richmond to grow and thrive. We may have different views on how to get there. That’s the beauty of America we all share one common goal for our communities and country. We all love it we just all have a different view on how to make it better and that’s the beauty of it. Between @I miss RVAand @Brent114you guys are having a great dialogue yes you guys both share different ways of getting to the goal of making our city a thriving growing successful place to live grow work and play but you both have that same vision but just a different view on how to get there. That’s a big thing about Richmond I used to not see at all very often. I will say compared to where we were in the 80s and 90s we have made a ton of progress since say 2001. I remember when riverside on the James was completed and even when it was proposed. When rocketts landing was proposed I was so excited. Then centennial towers I got really excited about that one but then the recession happend. But guys this is what we all want we all love our city rather we are from afar or currently living in rva. Yes I’m moving in the summer but man I will always love rva and will be back to visit family and friends. But as long as we are civil with the discussion that’s what matters. It may be frustrating and irritating but we have to remember we all share the same goal. We want rva to grow and prosper.
Yes, and group hug.
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Just saw this article on the RTD, the head line captured my attention, wondered “why were they moving a statue of Lincoln from Tredegar?”
They’re moving it to make way for the amphitheater. It doesn’t get into details on that project, says proposed, but moving a statue, to me, says the amphitheater project is close, why else remove it…
https://richmond.com/news/local/lincoln-statue-moved-from-tredegar-to-the-valentine/article_eb14deb2-9e6d-11ed-bc2b-7f8d1a5b0bf2.html
https://richmond.com/news/local/lincoln-statue-moved-from-tredegar-to-the-valentine/article_eb14deb2-9e6d-11ed-bc2b-7f8d1a5b0bf2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-
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2 hours ago, I miss RVA said: on all of this, @eandslee
Let me add one more log for the roaring fire: instead of touting the WONDERS of flying out of IAD and encouraging Richmonders, dangling one of those old - "try it, you'll LIIIIIIIIIIIKE it!" carrots in front of local travelers by waxing poetic about the beauty and grandeur and yada yada about the new Silver Line extension from downtown Washington - WHY NOT ADVOCATE for something SIMILIAR connecting downtown Richmond with RIC?? Instead of "hey, Richmonders, you NEED to come up here and give this a try..." -- wouldn't we all be better served if Dr. S pivoted the article to the theme of - "hey, this is great and works well. NOW - let's get something similar to this in Richmond!!" And TO HELL with whether or not such a thing would be realistic right now. AT LEAST PUT THE IDEA OUT THERE!! WOWZERS!
I think RBS and Dr. Slipek fumbled on this one from a Richmond perspective - it's a total lost opportunity to advocate for something progressive for Richmond.
From the RBS comments, this commenter had some concerns, sharing them here, made me chuckle, it can be found on the original article link under comments.
“Encouraging people to use the oft-delayed Amtrak to ride for two and a half hours IF the train isn’t delayed by CSX, Amtrak, or commuter rail (though from someone who rides the VRE regularly, the delays are usually on Amtrak) to get off at Alexandria, to lug their crap to King St Station, to ride the metro to L’Enfant, to switch to the Sliver line, so they can ride the metro to Dulles, to try to catch a plane on time rather than spending their money at the local airport is daft.”
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46 minutes ago, jbjust said:
I can see it out my window right now. Dirt is being moved.
It’s happening, they’re moving dirt.
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Close your eyes and go to the way future machine, imagine RIC/RVA with this, it’ll happen. First will be a fast route to DC, book it….
Ed does a nice job describing the route, details, a nice read, he does go on to price compare a trip to Milan and illustrates the lower cost from Dulles, all in fun, but too bad to highlight, though he did show an RIC cheaper trip to St. Thomas vs Dulles. As was always my consideration when flying out of RIC, you have to add driving to and from before/after a flight, often tired or late on the way home, then the parking, tolls. To me, eliminating those hassles had a huge value and would often pay more to not go through that.
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5 minutes ago, Flood Zone said:
One thing I suspect maybe we (well, maybe not us but our grandchildren, I guess) will see in the future -- when the DC/NoVa creep actually does reach us, and it will.
Yeah, it is.
It may not happen before I go, but not much longer when it does.-
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3 hours ago, Brent114 said:
Maybe I’ll read imiss’s posts later, maybe not.
You don’t live here and frankly I do not care what you want for a city 800 miles from where you live. It’s irrelevant. Being upset that Richmond city council and Henrico Board of Supervisors are actually responsive to the wishes of their constituents, the people that live, work and pay taxes here, is nuts. Just nuts.
If the people of Henrico feel better about 800 houses as opposed to 1000, so what. They have to live with their choices. You don’t.People can have opinions or considerations from wherever they live, this isn’t just a forum for Richmond, VA residents only. We’re all here, basically anonymous, for better or worse, with differing view points and feel those views can come from anywhere and are what makes this forum interesting enough to hang around. I think you make a valid point that citizens wanted fewer homes and pushed for change from their elected officials, something many must have felt strongly about, and that resulted in fewer homes.
While being “anonymous” allows freedom, it also makes it easier to not care, we don’t really know each other. As an analogy or similarity to my last job, sales for a subcontractor and from which I retired, I communicated by email to everyone, GC’s, end users, architects, home owners, business owners, pastors, doctors, CEO’s, on and on and I rarely met any of them. The one thing I learned from this was that I had to be civil, there was push back, frustration from this or that, but I tried to remain civil. I’m not perfect, you know that, just want this place to be good, ultimately, it’s supposed to be fun as we’re all riding on this UrbanPlanet together!
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6 minutes ago, eandslee said:
Actually, I’m hoping what was told to me about this is wrong. I just mentioned it here with the hope that someone can confirm it. I don’t want to spread rumors, but I want to make sure the info I get can be corroborated.
Understand, hopefully all is well and nothing to see here . If there is a stoppage, there are other reasons that are less design intrusive, like no permit, someone not paid, issue with drawing coordination between trades, site different than expected and must change, etc.
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Bummer…..If it were interior or exterior changes, finishes, glazing, HVAC, plumbing, etc. products, in an effort to save money, they wouldn’t stop the site clearing. To me, that signals the footprint is changing so they need to stop while they revisit the footprint. The area in red seems like a likely place to start. I’m not sure what the program is for this area but IMO it seems like a “nice to have, but not necessary to function” and could easily reduce in size, scale back, become more modular, less Frank Lloyd Wright, perhaps go in the tower (taller?) and cut out a huge chunk of cost for this project and explain why site clearing has stopped.
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45 minutes ago, eandslee said:
Someone on Reddit (r/rva) posted this recent photo of the construction going on at CoStar. The blue circles were pointing out construction equipment...I just want a webcam...is that too much to ask?
Saw that post but not the image, looked there earlier today.
The post is a father looking for active construction sites so he can take his young son to watch the big construction vehicles.
I remember that period of time with my dad and that followed up with a steel Tonka dump truck, not the plastic one. I could ride in it, dump dirt, build stuff, was my favorite toy, probably why I ended up in this field, thanks dad!-
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On 1/10/2023 at 7:35 PM, Brent114 said:
Not sure if it has been mentioned but the Westminster site now has a tower crane (I believe the other two crawler cranes there have been mentioned?).
Also found this construction update from their website and photo grabbed an image of the crane being assembled from it.
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Richmond Grocery Wars
in Richmond
Posted
I’m not sure why but we don’t see them like this, at least up to now. Maybe the buildings planned where the silos are coming down have that density(?) so there’s hope the future could include something similar to the one in Arlington.