georgeglass

I liked Newbile's comments. "Tired is not an excuse." It's over now, but 5 of them skirted the process. It's clear Reva Trammell hates Stoney, but to her point...he should have been there. It seems like council has just turned their back on the business community. That said, there were several people from the social service community that spoke in support. I also find it interesting that so much is made of race and class in this debate... but there is only 1 minority in the group of 5 and only 1 white in the group of 4.

I thought maybe. I would have done something similar

I assume after the bathroom break... Did you speak? I didn't, but feel the pro-side was well represented.

It does look like about as many people are speaking in favor as opposed.

A.J. Brewer... "How do you pass up a billion dollars?"

Can't believe the council members that walked out. That is so disrespectful.

I also feel like letting the opposition speak first is skewed. I guess it would be too hard to have sides alternate...1 in favor and 1 opposed. It's going to take forever. Not one person has said one thing about what happens if it fails. So everyone is ok with letting these properties rot... and the city spending money to maintain a useless coliseum?

Rents could actually go down if enough housing were built to get closer to saturation. We witnessed this in Atlanta...housing was cheaper there because there was more of it.

Yeah, that lady.....then why would she live in a city?? Even Charlottesville has an arena.

So now it moves to open comments. First up are speakers in opposition

There are tons of people here. The public comment period has begun.... 1st speaker opposed, 2nd opposed 1st... passionate female emphasized RVA's history of exploiting the poor and people of color 2nd...all about schools being ignored. (To me, these people make great points...but these issues aren't directly connected IMO) so we cancel the project...money doesn't magically go to schools

Ok, I finally made it. Never been to a council meeting.

What does that mean? Is there a point in coming?

Anyone at the meeting want to meet up? I am headed that way now to try and make it.

I would like to be there, but I don't get off work until 5:30. I would imagine that would be the problem for most people. I know it says to be there at 3:30, but is that when the meeting starts?

YES!!!!! THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL!!!!

Well I did email my councilwoman to let her know my husband and I support the project and I was disappointed in her (Kristen Larson) abrubt change in position to ask the mayor to pull the proposal before the consultant that was requested by them even made their report. I have never lived in a city where the council and mayor are always at such odds. I didn't vote for Stoney either, but there is a lot I do like about him and it just seems like so much of this is personal.

Agreed. I was surprised how good it looked and that area seems to have just been a dead zone as long as I have lived here.

Manchester from the floodwall today South Falls The Current City View Landing The Oliver (kind of near the jail under the bridge)

I have often wondered why this building was still vacant considering it's location. Thankfully, it won't stand empty much longer and I believe is the last big vacant building on Main downtown. https://richmondbizsense.com/2019/11/25/douglas-development-begins-apartment-conversion-of-former-downtown-hotel-building/

South Falls as seen from Mayo Bridge today Crazy how fast this is rising!

The Hill Standard on Forest Hill on Marathon Day today

South Falls pic from Sunday.

Why not let various artists use it as a canvas like the the street art fair, because this is boring as hell.

Taken from the floodwall Sunday