burt

I don't know what that means, but $24M is not a helluva lot of money spread among 5 airports. One thing that seems almost certain is that Richmond will benefit from this merger despite losing a Fortune designation. But I'm with you; Eric, it would be wonderful if RIC could become the equivalent of Fed Ex's lay-out at Memphis International.

Has anyone access to renderings of the new terminal building at RIC?

Another note on the performing arts: I saw the Richmond Ballet in its New York City debut at the Joyce Theatre last month. Some extremely sharp-eyed professionals in the dance World spoke very highly of the Company, and I was proud of my home town. Also last night, I had the pleasure of seeing a reading of a new play by Richmond playwright, Bo Wilson called IN SERVICE OF THE QUEEN. It was presented by The Algonquin Group at St. Clements here in New York to unanimous praise. Bo said the Richmond Ensemble Company will stage it in Richmond next Fall. Richmond, indeed, has a superb arts community.

Relative to the above dream, I wouldn't want to rob Charleston of its Spoletto Festival, but with facilities as described above, Richmond could establish 2 or 3 equally attractive performing arts festivals. Maybe one each in spring, summer and fall to present big name and local performers in music, dance and drama. Norfolk, to its credit, has a wonderful spring festival. At least there is one reality in all this dreaming. The Carpenter Center is closed and work is beginning on it and the remaining Thalhimer building adjacent on Grace street. At last, with a 49-foot depth, Richmond will have a stage large enough to handle the biggest shows such as THE LION KING, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and others that have by-passed the city because of stage limitations. (It's perceived by many that the Landmark stage is gigantic, and while that is true in procenium opening, its depth is only about 35 feet.)

Now, if VAPAF could find a sugar daddy! Maybe some enterprising developer will build a 50-story mixed-use tower with a concert hall included on the Thalhimer plot, then lease the Hall to VAPAF for a dollar-a-year while collecting massive rents from the tower occupants! An innovative well designed tower on this high-elevation site (Broad between 6th and 7th) could become a signature piece for Richmond. And continuing the dream, the under-used but significantly unique Blues Armory at 6th and Marshall should have its interior gutted (preserving, of course, the fabulous exterior) to house a LORT theatre complex. Richmond lost its professional Equity playhouse when Theatre Virginia closed. And restoration of the National Theatre as a 1000 seat venue, repairs/additions to the Empire complex and establishing the performing arts school at The Landmark should progress. Philip Morris, UPS, Capital One, where are your big bucks?

I suppose "Richmond Development" is the proper topic heading to discuss the UPS purchase of Overnite Transportation. Besides being a boon to Overnite's shareholders, the merger may be a big economic shot in the arm for Richmond. Though the City will lose a Fortune listing (UPS is headquartered in Atlanta), it portends massive growth in and around Overnite's headquarters on Semmes Avenue in Manchester. UPS will continue delivery of packages under 150 lbs, while Overnite will expand its "less-than-truckload" pick-ups and deliveries of items above 150 lbs in markets to which it formerly had no access. And remember, the clever UPS advertising account is handled by The Martin Agency in Shockoe Slip.

This is a HUGH plus for the Arts in Virginia. As Gov. Warner says, this endowment/gift will make Richmond "one of the art and cultural destinations on the east coast".

vdogg, thanks for directing me to Fast Reply

If you will check out a posting regarding city densities in the Southeast segment of the Skycraper website, you'll see that Richmond is topped only by Atlanta and Miami in the southeast for population within 1 mile of its center - something like 32,000. Norfolk, I believe, has something like 19,000 in that category, while your favorite city Charlotte (LOL) lags far behind.

And maybe someday I'll figure out how to post a message without infringing on someone else's quote. Until then, I'll just keep reading.

Wr ldcoup, I really appreciate your attention to this forum. How you handle it and ur studies is a marvel. Thank you.