I miss RVA

Here's a bit of sunshine in an otherwise VERY gloomy news day (regarding all things RVA (vis a vis our competitors)) -- the Henrico Citizen is reporting today that our esteemed University of Richmond is ranked the 15th best college in the country in 2024 in terms of having the best/strongest "college brand", according to a nationwide survey of parents and students conducted by CollegeVine, a website that helps students evaluate potential schools. UR's #15 ranking was the highest of any institution in the Commonwealth. William Mary -- with a rank of 66 -- was the second-highest rated school in the state. CollegeVine's survey looked at the following three elements (taken directly from the website:) Reach: Total brand awareness with students and parents on CollegeVine, adjusted for the size of the school. Engagement: Student and parent engagement with a school's profile page on CollegeVine. Student Satisfaction: How likely currently enrolled students and parents are to recommend an institution to a friend. Pretty heady stuff - and pretty darn impressive! Other notable state schools' ranking on the College Brand Index were: UVA at 121, Virginia Tech at 155. James Madison was ranked 266, George Mason at 368, VCU - surprisingly - was well down the list at 455. VMI was at 562, and ODU checked in at 598. Virginia State came in at 628 and Virginia Union at 787. Randolph-Macon clocked in at 892. Below is the list of the top 20 nationally. From today's Henrico Citizen: University of Richmond ranks 15th nationally in ‘College Brand Index’ - The Henrico Citizen From CollegeVine.com: CollegeVine | College Brand Index 2024

Philly, San Diego, San Juan and I think at least two others. Five total, if my admittedly shoddy counting is correct. Dunno what's the holdup with RIC getting some new routes... What did we pick up so far? I know Nashville. Did we also get St. Louis? (Spirit?) I can't remember. I can't believe we've picked up only one new route while so many other airports are getting new routes hand over fist. What gives? The rate at which things are going, ORF won't just leap-frog us heading into 2025, they'll effing BLOW PAST us. Jesus... We'd better get some international flights rolling in here before ORF gets their federal facility and international gate open. Mark my words -- I'm worried to death that our gate will open and sit virtually unused for a year and then the minute ORF's gate opens - BAM!!!!!! -- they get international flights out the wazzoo... I don't get why we can't get Frontier in here. And we've GOTTA get Alaska Air and that Seattle route going. That's mission critical at this stage. Man... I swear... today has just not been my day. Learning that one of our chief competitor cities (about 138 miles to our southwest) is up-zoning to 40 stories for a developer who MIGHT build something as big as six or seven floors here... and ORF getting YET ANOTHER new route while RIC is sitting still as can be with the thumb firmly planted. Not a good day for the old fat boy in Windy City-ville at all.

Okay!! Certainly good news. I'd be curious to know the following: 1.) Where specifically on Chamberlayne Avenue? The entirety from Azalea Avenue south to wherever the possible PULSE route might go? 2.) How will this money be used? Will GRTC specifically use it? Will the city use it? 3.) What's the zoning along the potential corridor? Do these funds come with any kind of strings attached, such as the city must rezone/up-zone to TOD-1 all along the corridor? Thrilled that the funds have been awarded. Three-quarters-of-a mil ain't nothing to sneeze at, folks. I'd just like to know more specifics. @RVABizSenseMike - has your office heard anything or gotten a feel for specifics regarding this grant?

I don't even have words (well, nice words anyway). Developer in Scott's Addition is being blocked from building a planned high-end apartment building for possibly as long as 16 years after a court ruling will allow the current lease holder of a surface parking lot that is part of the parcel in question to renew the lease until 2040. There's no indication yet whether the lease holder actually WILL renew. Oh - and thanks, @RVABizSenseMike for shining a light on the radically different mindsets of the capital of the Tar Heel State and the capital of the Commonwealth. This same developers who would likely build something maybe six or seven stories in Scott's (were they able to do so) has just recently gotten a parcel they purchased in our southern competitor city up-zoned from 12-stories to up to 40 stories. FORTY!!! At the age of 61 I question whether I'll EVER live to see the day a 40-story residential building is constructed in RVA. And yeah, I know... we don't have the "demand" - which is to say, our market is still TOO DAMN SMALL. Well we need to CREATE that demand now, don't we!! Don't get me started. This whole story is a gut punch for me personally. It makes me sick. From today's Richmond BizSense: https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/04/04/judge-sides-with-leaseholder-in-scotts-addition-parking-spots-spat/

Holy moly -- been following the severe weather around Central Virginia. BE SAFE and BE WEATHER AWARE!! As Ryan Hall (Y'all) says - "Don't be scared... be prepared." And as the famous Birmingham, AL meteorologist James Spann says - "respect the polygon". Hopefully nothing is on the ground there - only radar indicated. I noticed the TV6 Skycam has been swiveled around to face northwest - as most of the action has been in RVA's southwestern and western suburbs, now moving into the northwest and northern suburbs. BE SAFE EVERYONE!!!!

GreenCity still appears to be making progress. Jonathan Spiers has reporting in today's RBS that the Henrico Economic Development Authority has purchased a small parcel adjacent to the northern edge of the southern half of the GreenCity development site. The parcel sits next to the stretch of Scott Road that will be widened into the extension of the Magellan Parkway, bisecting GreenCity. There are no plans for the property just yet. On interesting takeaway from Jonathan's reporting regarding timing of the overall GreenCity project: The arena is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, and Markel | Eagle has said for-sale homes could start being built in late 2025 or in 2026. Full build-out of the entire GreenCity project is anticipated in 2033. We'll see how things shake out. The county is suggesting that the private sector will drive the timing of how the development moves forward, based on economic conditions. From today's Richmond BizSense: https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/04/03/henrico-eda-buys-8-acres-near-greencity-site-for-2m/ From Henrico County's government website re: the Magellan Parkway project: https://henrico.us/projects/magellan-parkway-extension/

Jonathan Spiers has reporting in today's RBS that Virginia Supportive Housing have completed the much needed renovation and conversion of the former Seven Hills Health Care Center nursing home into the 86-unit Cool Lane Commons income-based apartment complex. The property straddles the city/Henrico County line just southeast of the I-64/Mechanicsville Turnpike interchange. The building also houses the VSH's headquarters, which moved to the complex from Forest Park in western Henrico. Certificate of occupancy was awarded in January and over the past month 32 of the units are already filled with eight more tenants in the process of moving in. The building has 80 one-bedroom units and six studio apartments. Unquestionably, this is a fantastic project that is GREATLY needed. Very glad to see this development come to fruition and I hope more such developments will be on the way soon for folks in need. From today's Richmond BizSense: https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/04/03/housing-nonprofit-completes-86-unit-cool-lane-commons-project/

Hey my friend!! Oh wowwww - you'll be attending VCU? Starting in the fall, yes? Let me be the first to offer a heartfelt WELCOME TO RVA!!!! I'll share with you - I'm a VCU alum - I went there for undergrad (admittedly back in the 1980s... ugh... now I REALLY feel old) -- but when you begin your first semester, we'll definitely have something pretty cool in common. SO glad you got a chance to see the campus and the area around the campus and downtown. Once you're settled in Richmond, you'll have to start getting out and about and take in the various city neighborhoods. There are tons - and each one has something for everyone. Carytown has a lot of eclectic shops and cool eateries. Scott's Addition has become central Virginia's premiere entertainment district in terms of breweries, pubs, etc. Of course there's the river... Byrd Park... Maymont Park (and the Italian and Japanese gardens)... Flying Squirrels baseball... Shockoe Bottom... the Fan... great restaurants all over town... a pretty robust local music scene... And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Believe me, you'll have a blast living and learning in the River City. Anyway - welcome to the "Big-R"... Who knows... it might just grow on ya!

Perhaps it could be used as part of the set of a bizarro b-rate horror movie!

What's the latest with the Cobb lumber site project? This area is definitely about to reallllllllly pop - all we need is for enough economic factors to break in the right direction to get these projects back underway. This is going to be a ROCKIN' part of the city.

Jonathan Spiers has reporting in today's RBS that Atlantic Union Bank has completed it's $507 million acquisition of Danville-based American National Bank & Trust. The acquisition gives Atlantic Union more of a presence in southside Virginia, particularly in Danville, Lynchburg and Martinsville - as well as into the Piedmont triad of North Carolina, including Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. From today's Richmond BizSense: https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/04/02/atlantic-union-completes-507m-deal-to-acquire-american-national-bank/

@RVABizSenseMike has reporting in today's RBS about a local couple who are adding a small injection of density to a corner of the Museum District. Doty and Steve Tribble have been converting a 1980s-era office building into 11 apartments at 111 N. Thompson Street, a half-block south of Broad. This corner of the Museum District is beginning to light up with redevelopment - and this site is directly across the street from the former Wells Fargo bank branch property that's been snapped up by a mystery buyer (a property that has all manner of potential as a TOD-1-zoned parcel). For the Tribbles, this conversion project will be their biggest to date. The apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy in the next few months. Very exciting times along the edge of the Museum District adjacent to Scott's Addition. From today's Richmond BizSense: https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/04/02/former-tribble-electric-owners-look-to-recharge-museum-district-building-with-office-to-apartment-conversion/

So wait - that means Delta to/from Detroit 3x daily now? What was it previously? Is anyone keeping a running tally of 1.) new routes, 2.) increased frequencies on existing routes and 3.) larger aircraft that's will be coming online in 2024 at/for RIC? Would it be possible for one of our esteemed gurus (or anyone, but I figure our gurus have the inside track on all of this info) to perhaps pull together a quick N dirty spreadsheet with this data? (I know - I'm a demanding old cuss - freely admitted... but it would be really good to keep track of all of this...)

Interesting story in today's Henrico Citizen: The recently signed legislation that avoided a federal government shutdown includes funding for various metro RVA projects - one in particular for an important construction project at RIC. Here's the list of projects (below) as published by the Citizen - highlighting the RIC project: The $467.5 billion government shutdown settlement will fund federal departments, including the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Energy, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. It also includes nearly $148 million for Virginia-specific projects secured by Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. That amount includes several projects that will impact Henrico: • $2 million for the Better Housing Coalition to construct 106 affordable rental units as part of the Carter Woods III development in Eastern Henrico; • $1.67 million for YMCA Richmond to build residential housing and provide services for domestic violence survivors in the Richmond region; • $500,000 for the Capital Region Airport Commission’s Apron Construction Project, which will construct a new aircraft apron to enable the Richmond Airport to relocate two areas of current general aviation operations to one consolidated, state-of-the- art area on the East Side of the airfield.; • $30,000 for the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity to conduct emergency home renovations and accessibility modifications and assist households with small payments necessary to allow for additional repairs. ALSO - am thrilled to see the $2 million for the Better Housing Coalition to construct 106 income-based apartments in Eastern Henrico. We can't get enough of these built. From today's Henrico Citizen: https://www.henricocitizen.com/articles/government-shutdown-settlement-includes-funds-for-several-henrico-metro-richmond-projects/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Very good points, @Shakman. A couple of thoughts: 1.) From the standpoint of ownership/condo development, I think at least on a "Richmond scale" (and y'all know how I feel about that - don't get me started) - right now 180 units on a piece of property this size IS probably on the higher side in terms of density. Admittedly, we're talking about a fairly large land footprint involved with this project, which is a far cry from a smaller footprint and a more vertical building (say 10 or 15 stories). Unfortunately, here's where RVA's still-too-darn-small market size hampers us. We're not at the level of a NOVA or a Nashville or Austin or of the two Carolina cities where there is sufficient demand for significantly larger (and taller) condominium buildings. Even thinking about Tom Papa's long-since proposed South Falls III condo tower, which would be 11 stories tall on a fairly narrow footprint along the Manchester riverfront, I don't recall if Papa ever mentioned specs (outside of the number of floors), but I'm not sure his building would have even as many condos as this project on Rhoadmiller Street would have. I might be wrong - and admittedly I'm flying blind with no specs in front of me. Either way - from a condo perspective, I'd tend to think that this (180 units) is about as much density as we might be able to reasonably expect AT THIS TIME (and obviously things could change in a positive direction on this!). 2.) % agreed on this. We've seen time and again all across the city (and the metro for that matter). Like you, I do want more ownership in the mix and not just a reliance on big clusters of small apartments in large buildings. HOWEVER - with ownership and being a "stakeholder" in a neighborhood, those who have vested interests come to feel as though they outright own the ENTIRE neighborhood by some manner of Divine right, which is the rocket fuel of NIMBYism. We need look no further than two classic examples: 1.) When Avery Hall first proposed their towers, not only was Legend Brewery kvetching about the views and coming out in staunch opposition to the project, the owners who had just recently bought into the newly-built condos along the Manchester riverfront west of the Avery Hall site raised a pretty full-throated ruckus -- and they played the "ownership" card. "We bought into this neighborhood and we don't want developers coming in and spoiling our views, yada yada..." Okay - I get it - they have a stake in the beautiful riverfront and skyline views, but they HAVE to know that when you buy into a burgeoning urban neighborhood that just happens to be booming in a city that just happens to be growing, that nothing is etched in stone. That the city is evolving and, as such, the neighborhood is evolving, which means your ownership stake is evolving to some degree. What's more, the Avery Hall towers would not have blocked their view of the entire skyline - just the eastern-most portion, including the view in which Church Hill rises in the background. 2.) The far western portion of the Museum District near the apartment project now rising at 3600 Grove. The homeowners were howling about "changing/degrading, etc. the 'character' and 'charm' of the neighborhood" and not wanting apartments because, as homeowners, they wanted to 'preserve' the character of the neighborhood as a place for more home ownership (and this despite the fact that there are MANY apartment buildings just a few blocks away from this site - I know because I lived in a couple of them back in the '90s). So to your point - home ownership, while desirable and a necessary component, DOES - unfortunately - lead to increased NIMBYism when developers come in after the established home owners (whether those homes are houses, townhomes or condos) have put down roots. And in a neighborhood that can - and should - support greater density, we don't need these kinds of speedbumps to trip up growth. Hopefully we'll see the best of both worlds - condos AND apartments being developed throughout this neighborhood (and there's already been quite a bit of development south and southwest of this site). It's a good mix that can bring tremendous benefit to the city as this neighborhood continues its impressive transformation.

Nice rendering from RBS. These look similar to recent construction in that part of town. Would love to see more of these - it's a real plus for that neighborhood. Graphics courtesy of Richmond BizSense:

The more I think about it, I think your efforts -- both in going to City Council and speaking up in favor of this project - AND - in appearing on and being interviewed by TV8 News (and speaking on TV in favor of not just this project but in favor of Manchester's growth in general) - is more than worthy of some OFFICIAL RVA/UP Silver Hardware. You definitely went well above and beyond the call of duty and went the extra mile on this one. Well done. Mazal Tov!

Fully agreed. @whw53 - you knocked it out of the park. Well done, my friend!

Wait - WHAT?? (Channeling my best Anna from Frozen) You were the guy who was interviewed on Hull Street? VERY cool!!

FOLLOW-UP: WRIC-TV8 News had a pretty in-depth story about the new apartment building slated to rise at 14th and Hull. I'm impressed that it wasn't just cursory coverage. They did a decent job with it. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to watch the video. From WRIC-TV8 News. Richmond residents share thoughts on 60-unit apartment building coming to Hull Street | WRIC ABC 8News

Great shot, @Child2021. Man - this new VCU/CoStar building is SO going to transform the intersection of Belvidere and Broad. Love the photo with the Parcview Commonwealth so prominently in view, particularly with the sun reflection off of the windows. REALLY sweet picture. You know that that means, my friend. Some OFFICIAL RVA/UP Silver Hardware coming your way. Well done! Really good eye - it's an outstanding shot. Mazal Tov!

It shouldn't. If memory serves, the Icon looked pretty plain Jane until the final cladding was added. Once the cladding is on the sides and back of this building, it'll look a little more robust. What we really need now is a few more of these Bakery Loft-size buildings in the Bottom.

Nice renderings. All in all, it's not bad.

HOHHHHH-LEEEEEEEEE MOHHHHHHHH-LEEEEEEEEEE!!! @123fakestreet - not only is this amazing shot an AUTOMATIC piece of RVA/UP Silver Hardware for you, I'm nominating it for RVA/UP 2024 Photo of the Year (which if I can manage to keep a list of nominees then perhaps as a community we can vote for a winner in December!) - and I'm thinking that whoever's photo is voted as the Photo of the Year for 2024 - that individual will be awarded the ultra-rare RVA/UP GOLD Hardware at the end of the year. WOW... This picture adds all the more to why we MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST SAVE the Monroe Building!!! I cannot imagine our skyline without it. I'm adding this amazing photo to my "slideshow" of RVA photos that rotate through as part of my PC's desktop background.

Yes - definitely worthwhile to reach out to the governor's office as well as your local delegate and senator. Every voice of support helps. Not sure if it would help to also reach out to leadership in the G.A. - but for certain your local representatives would be a good place to start (along with the governor's office). Let's do what we can to help make this happen.