Diamond Area / Hermitage Rd Corridor / Ownby District

[blake_p]

Novel Scott's Addition (from future Center Field)

[123fakestreet]

Terrible article on AA Center being sold to RPS from local ABC.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/richmond-planning-to-sell-arthur-ashe-center-to-richmond-public-schools/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2nkhdnbR0e6AA9H-mGoUgC5ai93GPM-8oHgqte2iYKSjg-hgQNXd9Ties_aem_AQkKtBfwshFVCKc91PxiZq4ACM2NDNV91rbeIpWs3ldNLZ8NbyxE6DuZIwCU0DaSpBFLKh9wKogLlYCrqDq7-F_4

Why are they selling it to RPS? Doesn't make sense and article doesn't explain why. Isn't it being torn down? And the tone of the article implies it is going away but doesn't explicitly say that either.

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, 123fakestreet said:

Terrible article on AA Center being sold to RPS from local ABC.

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/richmond-planning-to-sell-arthur-ashe-center-to-richmond-public-schools/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2nkhdnbR0e6AA9H-mGoUgC5ai93GPM-8oHgqte2iYKSjg-hgQNXd9Ties_aem_AQkKtBfwshFVCKc91PxiZq4ACM2NDNV91rbeIpWs3ldNLZ8NbyxE6DuZIwCU0DaSpBFLKh9wKogLlYCrqDq7-F_4

Why are they selling it to RPS? Doesn't make sense and article doesn't explain why. Isn't it being torn down? And the tone of the article implies it is going away but doesn't explicitly say that either.

Yes - it's supposed to be torn down. Idk what the deal is up with this.

[BigBobbyG]

My understanding is that the arthur ashe center is being sold to a developer and the proceeds from the sale are going to RPS to build another facility. I will put the caveat in though that my understanding is pretty dated at this point.

This article might clear some things up but I cant get past the paywall currently. https://richmond.com/news/local/business/real-estate/diamond-district-stadium-richmond-public-schools/article_60025f7c-16b5-11ef-8428-db7ddd3e398f.html

[Child2021]

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

[BigBobbyG]

I find it interesting that Richmond For All or Richmond Crusade For Voters haven’t been mentioning a petition for referendum on their social media though. Not to deny that someone is getting them but you’d think if the strategy was to start collecting signatures they’d be broadcasting the message far and wide. 

In any case, I hope it doesn’t come to that and the judge allows the bonds to be floated like the city seems to be acting like they will. 

If it does though I’m going to be first in line for whatever groups are countering these groups. I swear by preventing density and things that make people want to actually MOVE into the city they work against the very thing they purport to support,  namely “the schools” as if increased property taxes and students from new families wouldn’t do far more to help. 

[BigBobbyG]

Side note: it does make me wonder, should the city have just said screw it and stuck with the CDA plan that allowed for 0 risk even though it’s a way higher interest rate and would cost us more in the long run.
 

I totally get why they and their financial advisors wanted to and are going the direct bond route given the interest rates, I even agree that it seems much more financially responsible to do so but all anyone seems to care about is the potential risk even when you explain all of the cost savings. That’s infuriating of course but still. 

Edited May 25 by BigBobbyG

[wrldcoupe4]

Probably was a case of, the deal was dead otherwise. 

[I miss RVA]

46 minutes ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

Probably was a case of, the deal was dead otherwise. 

Coupe - you mean the ballpark deal? And if so, including all of Phase I (the residential development)?

[Child2021]

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. 

[BigBobbyG]

30 minutes ago, Child2021 said:

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. 

That’s good to hear, man I hope that happens here. 

[I miss RVA]

10 hours ago, BigBobbyG said:

That’s good to hear, man I hope that happens here. 

AMEN to that! From your keyboard to God's eyes, my friend.

[123fakestreet]

Sauer Center progress 

[I miss RVA]

16 hours ago, 123fakestreet said:

Sauer Center progress 

Wow!! Very impressive how quickly this building has been progressing.

[Child2021]

Bonds for Diamond District neighborhood get approval (richmond.com)

[BigBobbyG]

YES!

Edit - I do see it says something about an appeal but hey I'll take what I can get for now, very glad to see this was dismissed.

https://richmond.com/news/local/business/development/richmond-squirrels-stadium-baseball-goldman-lawsuit/article_c0c4c2d8-24f1-11ef-b244-2bfb7b054eba.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
 

Edited June 7 by BigBobbyG

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, BigBobbyG said:

YES!

Edit - I do see it says something about an appeal but hey I'll take what I can get for now, very glad to see this was dismissed.

https://richmond.com/news/local/business/development/richmond-squirrels-stadium-baseball-goldman-lawsuit/article_c0c4c2d8-24f1-11ef-b244-2bfb7b054eba.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
 

Even if he appeals, would it not be technically "too late" in that the bonds will have already been issued before he either gets the required signatures - or - gets an appeal filed and a case scheduled, no? The injunction to freeze the city until the case was heard was tossed out as well, wasn't it? What happened with that? It wasn't mentioned in the article.

[BigBobbyG]

23 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Even if he appeals, would it not be technically "too late" in that the bonds will have already been issued before he either gets the required signatures - or - gets an appeal filed and a case scheduled, no? The injunction to freeze the city until the case was heard was tossed out as well, wasn't it? What happened with that? It wasn't mentioned in the article.

I’m not entirely sure. My understanding is that as it stands he would have to get the 11k signatures by June 11th which as he said is frankly not going to happen (knock on wood). But if he were to appeal all the way from start I suppose he could ask for a new injunction to be put in place. Barring that though I’d think that you’re right and the city will just proceed and issue the bonds. 

I think this is my bias talking here, but the way the article portrayed his comments makes it sound like he might not appeal? There was a lot of defeated language and a pivot at the end to the federal judge process which wouldn’t stop the bonds from being issued. If he does though then he’s essentially delaying the process in order to cost the city the extra 24 million out of spite. And while I think he’d absolutely do that in other circumstances, this time it would be too easy to rake him over the coals about it. All people would have to say is, “you say this is about saving money and yet you cost the city an extra 24 million on a court case you knew you were likely to lose”. 

[blopp1234]

https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/06/10/judge-dismisses-legal-challenge-to-diamond-district-financing/
 

Thankfully, the Diamond District lawsuit has been thrown out by a judge. Hopefully this means the project is still on track to break ground soon!

[I miss RVA]

3 minutes ago, blopp1234 said:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2024/06/10/judge-dismisses-legal-challenge-to-diamond-district-financing/
 

Thankfully, the Diamond District lawsuit has been thrown out by a judge. Hopefully this means the project is still on track to break ground soon!

Better read this article today, folks, before it disappears behind the paywall.