[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

Judge Merchant has a history of handing the city *wins* when it comes to court cases, I guess that's the reason why they feel so confident in winning this one. 

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

I was just down at Brown's Island and there was a person there collecting signatures presumably for a referendum.  

[Richmond in Pictures III]

Picture of Downtown Richmond from reddit user named BestGrandpa29

This view is set to change quite a bit in the very near future., between GRTC & VCU. 

[Richmond International Airport]

Getting a little filled in at the Airport. 

[Richmond's Suburban Developments]

Renderings of the proposed grocery store in the Spring line area. 

Shop – Springline at District 60

[Capitol / Financial District / Shockoe Slip]

Youngkin's plan to vacate James Monroe Building on hold (richmond.com)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s plan to move state employees out of the aging James Monroe Building and into various existing offices across the city has been put on hold.

The state will consider erecting a new office building — which Youngkin’s administration has said is not needed, as downtown office space remains available and employees work hybrid schedules.

But state lawmakers disagreed, and ultimately won, saying the state government should invest in the city of Richmond and study the situation more.

Later in the article it explains that it will likely still be torn down, but at rather later time. 

[RVA growth 1950 to today]

Chesterfield County is extending its lead as the largest locality in Greater Richmond after adding more residents the past four years than the rest of the region combined.

Between April 2020 and July 2023, the county increased by 18,565 residents, the highest total not only in the region but also every other city and county in Virginia, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The next-highest total increase belongs to Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, which rose by 13,642 people.

According to Casey, Chesterfield has grown more than 1,000 businesses in the last year, which has contributed to more people living in the county.

 

Not surprisingly, Chesterfield's size is reflected in its student population as well. The region's largest school division includes more than 64,000 students.

 

To better host all of those students, the county adopted the FY2025-FY2029 Capital Improvement Plan, which includes a mix of 12 new, rebuilt and expanded schools, plus one gym expansion.

 

With more than 423 square miles of land, county officials said there is enough space for additional school, housing and retail projects.

Chesterfield leads Virginia in population growth, per Census (richmond.com)

[Richmond off-topic postings]

On second thought it may be a cool restaurant or something, but it will be a fun name.  

[Richmond off-topic postings]

Uh, does anyone see what I see? 

Any takers on whether its a store, restaurant, or the actual real thing?

[Scott's Addition Development]

The Outlier site construction has effectively slowed to none, as it seems like nothing has progressed on the site this week. 

[RVA growth 1950 to today]

Richmond needs to build more houses and apartments, that's what might be holding back the city at this point. 

[Richmond Grocery Wars]

I also went this week, and will say it does have a lot of items that New Grand doesn't have, and the inside is very clean and just in general nice. I bought some noodles as apart of my first visit. 

[Scott's Addition Development]

Red crawler crane present at the construction site by Carytown.

[Capitol / Financial District / Shockoe Slip]

The new Supreme Court building will only add more to this area, along with the renovation of the 4th circuit court of appeals building.

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

Court case for the Diamond District proposal to be heard Thursday. 

Date set for judge to hear Diamond District lawsuit (msn.com)

[Richmond Grocery Wars]

13 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Inside your Short Pump Wegmans where I went for a quick bite.  Thank you Richmond for finally opening the Wegmans distribution center as now they have announced their first of several Charlotte area stores.   Took these photos for my Charlotte peeps to show them how massive the store is inside.  I have been to all their open 4 NC stores in the Raleigh Cary Chapel Hill area. 

Question:  Who bought Ukrops your legendary grocery store chain?   

Ahold bought them out, and started converting them to Martin's.

[Charlotte Supermarkets]

20 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Up in the Richmond area stopped by local Wegmans at Short Pump.  Did some interior photos so you can see how big the inside of the store is and this store is competitive in pricing.  This is not a Whole Foods but more just super sized grocery store with sit down restaurant inside and large prepared food areas.  

Always look for the clock tower on their stores and this photo is their side entrance into the dining area.   Notice they have a community room and I saw a kids chess club in there playing!     Their cheese shop area is larger than any cheese department or store in Charlotte believe me.  Lots of fresh seafood and huge butcher shop.  Lots of Wegmans brands and their prices are excellent.  Yes Buffalo Bills merch at this store along with local college stuff.  Look for the Wegmans train too above.  

There are 2 in metro Richmond,  4 open in Raleigh Chapel Hill Cary Wake Forest and 1 announced so far for Charlotte.  But we should have 3-4 in this market at the minimum.  

 

The Distribution center is even cooler!

[Petersburg]

Central State Hospital is gearing up for a major replacement project, that Gilbane will manage. 

Key things: 

• The new facility’s design considers future growth, with plans for a 48-bed addition
• Designed as a two-story structure with separate treatment areas for maximum security and civil patients
• The facility will also require an integrated security, safety, and information technology system
• The new Central State Hospital reflects Virginia’s commitment to delivering high-quality, recovery-based treatment in behavioral health
• By emphasizing safety, flexibility, and dignity, the design supports wellness and security with its 252 beds, meeting the needs of both civil and maximum-security patients with secure enclosed courtyards for outdoor recreation

Central State Hospital | Petersburg VA | Gilbane Building Company (gilbaneco.com)

[Richmond off-topic postings]

What this area really needs is a "Richmond shows itself to the world" event, you know something the Olympics or a FIFA cup. I do think a UCI championship could do it too. 

[Richmond's Suburban Developments]

Henrico understands the benefits of having data centers, I think it's pretty likely they approve this. 

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

1 minute ago, I miss RVA said:

Interesting!

Good find, @Child2021 - and I didn't realize Mike Dodson is a former city planning. For Richmond?

Okay - then my next question would be: even if the court rules in favor of the city, couldn't Goldman appeal and keep this tied up in the courts, thereby STILL further delaying the process?

I imagine he probably could, though I'm not sure. 

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

Charter - Richmond (virginia.gov)

 

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

Mike Dodson has an interesting point to all this, and he should know as a former city planner, but all of this will interesting to see play out.

[Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District]

Hey I was just to about to type this, lol. 

7 minutes ago, Flood Zone said:

Council just voted unanimously (of those members present) for the ordinances.

They've moved on to a motion to expedite appointment of initial Diamond District Authority directors.

 

[Richmond off-topic postings]

When I was Downtown earlier, I spotted a very odd looking prototype being assembled in Kanawha plaza and it looks very similar to the kaleidoscope at the science museum. . . . anyone knows what's going on?