Urbs42

At the very very very least, they could have fronted AA with the buildings - urban form - with a nice streetscape and hid parking in the back. The complex interchanges don't exactly make this area a great interstate pit stop for fast food/gas. Feels like there will be a lot frustrated/confused interstate travelers doing U-turns on AA trying to find their way back to 95.

Not holding out hope, but crucial the new building(s) include ample ground floor retail to continue developing a sense of destination around SA.

New ABC headquarters has opened. Still facing a long transition (estimated 18 months) until it's fully operational, and the Hermitage site can be cleared. Curious if anyone knows how the RFP process will play out given that we're looking at 2024/2025 until a new Squirrels stadium is ready. Say the city issues an RFP this year to develop the current site of the Diamond and the winner is selected in 2022. Will that developer just have to sit on this project for several more years until redevelopment can begin? https://richmond.com/sports/flying-squirrels/richmond-may-be-closer-to-a-replacement-for-the-diamond-with-hanover-abc-site-opening/article_cc239ead-05a3-5449-8487-2604fc9eb666.amp.html

What is the height limit of TOD-1?

I'm as pro development as anyone, but I also don't see how anyone can be faulted for not wanting a casino in Richmond. Gambling is not inherently immoral. But a casino is also not inherently "progress". It's not a straight-forward proposition, and I find merit in all points of view. I personally don't want a casino anywhere in Richmond, but I'll also respect its development if the citizens approve it in a referendum.

Agree, always nice to see progress, but feels like dirt won't turn on the city-owned parcel until Q3/Q4 of 2022. First pitch at a new squirrels/VCU stadium won't happen before 2024.

Still seems uncertain which side of Hermitage the stadium will go on.

This area is so ripe for development. Navy Hill was a risky attempt to create something massive out of very little, and taking that chance with public funding. By contrast, all the necessary ingredients are already in place here. Notably there is a broad coalition of trusted partners in the mix, led by VCU and the Squirrels. There will be multiple responses to the RFP, and plenty of private investment to make this a reality. We just need strong leadership from the city to guide the process and not screw it up or bog it down. I'm encouraged by the 300 plans. Here's hoping 2021 is the turning point where the vision and momentum starts to become reality.

Agreed, what an obvious con. - No cost estimates or funding mechanisms mentioned - Suspect developers without a project remotely close to this in their portfolios - No resident team using the arena or anchor tenants for the office space No shot this happens.

Always encouraged by the news coverage around this project that seems to drip every 3-4 months. But gotta say, I'm ready for the big announcement showing the final plans with a start date.

Wow, what year was this?

So much potential in this area, and love the city's vision. Curious how conceptual this is, or rather how committed the city is to seeing this to fruition. For instance, when soliciting proposals, will the city stipulate that developers must include this crescent-shaped park and the new ballpark will go in this location? Or, will developers have a free hand to completely redesign the city's plots?

Thanks for sharing. Looks very ambitious. Not to pick at a fresh wound, but this vision seems exponentially more transformative for RVA than Navy Hill. Sadly, it doesn't seem like the city is capable of bringing this to fruition. I hope I'm wrong.

I like this idea. More space, better infrastructure and less problematic in terms of having "dead" blocks here when events aren't taking place as opposed to downtown.

Any guesses on which season the team would join league play?

Between this and the LU3 crane going up, will we be at peak construction crane count in CLT history?

My uneducated guess is that the Flying Squirrels will land on their feet as long as a new stadium happens. The market here is just too big for MLB to let it go. Seems a near certainty though that we will get contracted by another MLB team that is a better geographical fit than the Giants.

What is going on this spot again?

The Intercontinental as well!

ETA tower crane(s)?

Looks like all the support beams are in place, they just need to attach the screening. Put this on already and light it up!

Think of the big picture. Richmond has experienced incredible growth over the past decade without a legit arena, and despite the shoddy state of this part of town. We don't need this development to spur growth that is going to come organically regardless. I'm not saying we shouldn't invest in things to improve our city, but it seems so obvious that what is driving this particular project is a group of investors, power brokers and politicians who can cash in on it in various ways. Yea, it would be cool to have a new arena and retail downtown, but this is a "nice-to-have"... it's not going to make much difference either way. You know what would have a tremendous impact on this city's reputation, its citizens and those considering a move here? Improving a embarrassing school system. But there's no money to be made there, or opportunity for short-term political gain.

I would think a convention hotel has potential for 500'.

From the Observer. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article231952298.html

I'll bite... 360'