Jackson Ward / Gilpin

[HRVA]

1 minute ago, Shakman said:

Thanks for clarifying.  I should have just zoomed in to the picture.  Does the proposal include the adjacent lot with the "For Sale" banner?

Yes, it’s part of the parcel 316 is on. 

[I miss RVA]

Some HUGE progress on the effort to reconnect Jackson Ward and Gilpin. A LOT of gold nuggets in today's outstanding reporting by Jonathan Spiers.

Among them:

Unlike what was previously planned, it appears that the 11-story, 200-unit Fay Towers WILL BE PRESERVED!!!! Originally it was to be torn down and replaced either with green space or low-density housing. Now - it's part of the overall redevelopment plan.  However, in June the state's Board of Historic Resources ADDED Fay Towers to the Virginia Landmarks Register - and as such, it's eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits. And check out the coalition that came together to get this building on the landmarks register: the Commonwealth Preservation Group, based in Norfolk, and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. If I recall, it was the RRHA that originally planned to demo the towers - and they actually did a 180 and REQUESTED that CPG file a request to the state to add the building to the landmarks register. To me, this is HUGE! 

Some 1,900 residential units are planned. Again, HUGE!

The bridge deck physically connecting  JW and Gilpin is a big part of the overall plan and could very well become a reality. The city and civic leaders are together behind this proposal. This is HUGE on TOP OF HUGE!!

And adding to the gravitas of all of this: the esteemed deputy director of the city's planning office, Maritza Pechin, is one of the driving forces behind all of this, leading the city's efforts to put this plan into place. And check out THIS nugget from Jonathan's reporting regarding the potential future layout of what could be coming to Gilpin:

The draft community plan also calls for adding roads and alleys to the street grid at Gilpin Court, which is defined by long blocks and buildings. In a presentation to the Richmond Planning Commission last month, Maritza Pechin, a deputy director with the city planning office who’s guiding the effort, said the idea is to break up those blocks and concentrate taller buildings along major roads.

TALLER buildings might be in the works? Channeling my best Anna from Frozen: Wait, WHAT??? TALLER??? Do I do a Snoopy dance, just yet? Again - HUGE, folks!!

I might be overstating this, but if there is (or could be) a term called "re-urbanization" -- I think what we're looking at here definitely qualifies. This really has some seriously transformative potential - and I hope and pray Ms. Pechin and the other movers and shakers behind this effort can really get this ball rolling. Mind you, securing federal funding will be critical - but at least now a really solid plan is in the works.

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/08/25/jackson-ward-planning-effort-progressing-ahead-of-gilpin-court-developer-selection/

Edited August 25, 2023 by I miss RVA

[Wahoo 07]

The bridge deck park is a wonderful idea that I sincerely hope comes to fruition.   It would be a tremendous asset for the neighborhood, heal an urban gash, and hopefully start a trend to do more of this around RVA.  Plenty of stretches of 195 and the downtown expressway should be covered.  

[Rooster]

By the way, the new Ember Music Hall on the south side of Broad between 2nd and 3rd street is fantastic! A top tier sound system with big video screens behind the stage and along the back wall, 2 bars, VIP seating, etc. We had a blast a couple of weekends ago when they opened and will definitely be back, I wish them well!

[I miss RVA]

Just throwing out a feeling to any/all who have their ears to the ground: has there been ANY movement at all on the Project Formerly Known as The Admiral" at 2nd and E. Marshall Street? Last we heard, the developer put the property on the market and was looking to sell shovel-ready with approved plans of development, etc., SUPs, etc., in hand - or - to co-develop with a new partner who would buy in.

Safe to say this is still just sitting "dormant" - or what's the over/under that this thing is officially dead, even if it's not buried yet? I'm just curious if we'll ever see that 12-story apartment building get off the ground in the next couple of years.

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, I miss RVA said:

Just throwing out a feeling to any/all who have their ears to the ground: has there been ANY movement at all on the Project Formerly Known as The Admiral" at 2nd and E. Marshall Street? Last we heard, the developer put the property on the market and was looking to sell shovel-ready with approved plans of development, etc., SUPs, etc., in hand - or - to co-develop with a new partner who would buy in.

Safe to say this is still just sitting "dormant" - or what's the over/under that this thing is officially dead, even if it's not buried yet? I'm just curious if we'll ever see that 12-story apartment building get off the ground in the next couple of years.

Heard nothing but crickets…unfortunately. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a back-door deal in progress.  I just don’t know. 

[BigBobbyG]

Just to jump on the question train, has anyone heard anything about the 8 story tower that SMBW Architects is collaborating with a developer on? I apologize for the sparse details but I know it’s supposed to be on East Broad near the Arts District. 

[I miss RVA]

46 minutes ago, BigBobbyG said:

Just to jump on the question train, has anyone heard anything about the 8 story tower that SMBW Architects is collaborating with a developer on? I apologize for the sparse details but I know it’s supposed to be on East Broad near the Arts District. 

Last I heard it was moving forward.