CitiWalker

I could see a taller structure going where the pencil parking lot is. As long as the tower is located on the yellow footprint I don't think it would effect the site lines as much. I am not a pro at this but just my 2 cents.

Really ingenious design. It appears to be a grassy outdoor amphitheater sandwiched between the two shorter buildings. I serves a space for relaxation and could be used for concerts. The front plaza has enough space for a stage.

This is a very interesting and worthwhile documentary telling about some of the untold history of African American economic successes in the city.

It think it would make more sense as far as traffic flow goes...depending on how parking is configured. In the current configuration of parking it makes more sense as it relates to the exits on I-95.

I am no demolition expert by any means but curious....How much would it realistically cost to take that building down piece by piece or do an implosion. It seems to me to be very expensive and could be time consuming and hard to logistically plan if imploding. At that price...28 million (if that is the real asking price) it would be a steal ....My prediction is that building ain't going nowhere. People would be up in arms over spending x amount of dollars to tear down a building that is only 40 years old. I am not attacking anyone but to me from a common sense perspective...It's just a dumb idea.

People hung up on Height. This campus is gorgeous. Costar has only been here 5 years and look what they are doing for the city. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Also VCU is about to build another hospital. We still have some good things happening. The twin apartments in Manchester....not happening. I am happy about this project and guess what? All this is speculation til the building is actually built and finished...But I guess people need something to keep the conversation going . Lol

I am not sure why someone would be hell bent on destroying a tower instead of repurposing it. They re-skinned the City Hall and it looks more modern and aesthetically pleasing. I mean isn't that why we hire architects and engineers to figure out the best way to use space that already exist. I know it won't be cheap to repurpose but, what would be the cost of demolishing the entire building and building one of equal height and volume in today's cost? On top of that why tear down a building of that size just to build something lesser. I could see that being a residential tower with some innovative amenities. You already have another podium/ parking deck. Use that space for a pool or maybe park with running trail built right on top. I think too often people look at the what is vs the what could be. Personally I like the design. What makes the building unappealing is it is dirty looking. Probably a combination of being beside the highway with all the exhaust and just natural dirt build up. Cement castings can look worn because of that. I never knew that building to be sandblasted or power washed or what have you. The shape itself is not bad. Maybe a re-skin job would enhance the appearance. Internally the floors can be configured a lot of different ways. It has a steel skeleton so the inside can definitely be worked with. Just because a building looks old does not mean it has no use. Just my two cents.

He said it. Retail and restaurants....

From what someone knowing on the inside hinted to me, there is going to be an element of commercial retail space on ground level.... at leas that is what was talked about.

Traveling north on 95 will definitely give the riverfront skyline some additional presence.

One small leap for local business and one Giant leap for Richmond breaking the 500 ft barrier. Costar is kicking the doors in with this one!

What is crazy is that this proposal should have never went to vote. No tax payer money up front. Conversely the thing that should have went to vote involving tax payers dollars (Navy Hill) was resolved by council vote. This whole scenario is a** backwards. On top of that it took too long to go to vote. It is comical to say that poor people would have gotten poorer somehow. There is already gambling in the poorer neighborhoods ( Thank you VA Lottery). They have a gambling entity on the southside already Rosie's. I don't think there was a significant spike in that area in terms of crime at least not from what I know. Unfortunately the elephant in the room is a black owned casino was basically voted down by majority white vote. People in that area who are primarily black wanted that development. The decision should have never went to vote. I may ruffle some feathers here but often white people in this city think they know what is best for black folk. It was more about associating black people with crime and poverty and finding a way to suppress black economic empowerment in this city once again. Unfortunately there are still some remanence of backward thinking people who use boogie man tactics to hold the city back. Time and time again we have see major opportunities just wasted. Here is my prediction. Radio One still gets a casino in the area just not Richmond and once again we will be looking like idiots standing on the outside looking in on someone else.

There is an ever so slight change that is noticeable from this vantage point

I am looking at the crane sitting above the Children’s Hospital and wondering how much longer before it comes down. Sure wish the building was a tall as the crane but it is a very nice building. Right now I have a four crane view.

Let me start by saying I am not attacking you. I will say this as I have said it before. People in Richmond seem to have the mentality that we are missing things however, as soon as any project of substantial magnitude is proposed we find a way to shoot holes in it. Richmond is in the midst major growth (13% in fact) with a lot of people moving in from outside areas. It is this thing called amenities that attract people to cities. Yes we have parks, museums, breweries and other things depending on your interest. I would say do you honestly think from a common sense standpoint, that an entity would build a half billion dollar development and base the viability of that business model on poor people. For argument sake gambling is already in the poorer neighborhoods as well as affluent. Typically where there is a gas station or convenient store you are going to have access to lottery products. Radio/Casino One is not going to fail if they get the casino because they have too much media power. You don't think they are not going to use that reach and influence to push their business. Media is what they do and they are darn good at it. Look also at the residual effects it will have on helping to brand the city. Anytime they mention the location they have to mention The City of Richmond. If you quantify the amount of marketing dollars associated with taking about Richmond the money used to ad any additional infrastructure is easily offset. They say variety is the spice of life. People want different things and different experiences. I am glad that Richmond seems to be getting out of the sleepy, tired , boring , we don't want anything to change mentality. We are finally moving in a direction that helps this city to realize its potential.

Driving through Manchester this morning and grabbed some more pictures

If this is a new design I like it better. The other one looks kind of plain and 70s-ish. But we will see what happens. Either way I am excited to see this property get developed.

Yeah, the design just looks weird to me. I don't know is it me or does the design look clumsy? Now this is one the city needs to give the rubber REJECT stamp...lol...just my opinion.

Yes.

Yeah, I was speaking to both projects. I have been waiting for the office building which is now going to be multi-family and I am waiting on the twin 11 - story buildings. Both in and of themselves would be game changers for the river skyline. The combination of both of them being build during similar time frames would just move that part of the river front skyline to a whole new level optically.

I am hoping so. I have been patiently waiting to see that project break ground. It would definitely be a game changer as far as shaping up the skyline of the Manchester riverfront area. In addition to Rivers Edge II the twin 11 story apartments with the sky bridge. The combination of those two projects alone would be a show stopper. All we can do and hurry up and wait...lol. It is fun to watch the growth of that area from this vantage point. A lot has transpired in the four and a half years I have been working downtown.

Thought I would just add some perspective from where I sit

Just wanted to add a few pics from this side of the river

A lot has to do with getting a gaming license through the state after the November vote. A nine month delay is not too unreasonable given a shortage of construction workers and supplies. It is funny to me how people would even consider Urban One or any sound business organization modeling their profits based on the income of a low income audience. That just is not a sustainable business model. Most of the revenue will be outside revenue. Guess what Urban one has the media fire power to get those outside customers. All black folk are not broke and not just black folk listen to their over 57 radio stations. Sometimes people don't understand processes and politics. We all want the project yesterday but it is a process. If the project is built which I strongly believe it will, Urban One has too much media power and resources to promote the heck out of its own casino. I mean unlimited promotion ability 24-7 around the clock all year long. They may not be so called experts at casinos ( that why you partner with someone who is) but they are masters at media and promotion.

I remember the Burger Chef on Brook Rd. in front of Azelea Mall...Looked similar to this one.