Richmond off-topic postings

[I miss RVA]

A great story to share with everyone. Turns out Richmond is really gaining name recognition! (Or maybe it's always had it?)

So I think most folks on here know I'm Jewish - and I live in one of Chicago's orthodox Jewish communities. So last week, one of the rabbis in the community invited me to his home for the traditional Friday night Sabbath dinner with his family. This was my first time meeting his family. Three of his married children (all in their early-to-mid 20s) were there with their families, and in the course of conversation I was asked where I am from originally. I said "Virginia" - and one of the kids immediately chimed in: "Richmond? Or Norfolk?" (And he said 'Norfolk' correctly, the way we do in Virginia). I confirmed Richmond and then I asked - "So you know of Richmond?" The rabbi chimed in before his son could respond, saying - "Of course we know of Richmond. Who doesn't?"

It should be noted that the rabbi and his wife are native, multi-generation Chicagoans and they raised their family in Chicago.

The son who asked 'which city' then said: "Richmond's the capital but Norfolk is a bigger city, right?"  My response - "For now, yes, but not for long. Richmond is about to blow past Norfolk in population. Given that Richmond is growing at a decent rate and that Norfolk is losing population, it could happen in the couple of years." I did mention than Hampton Roads overall is a larger metro area than metro RVA by about 400K people due in large part to Virginia Beach's explosive growth in the '80s, '90s and '00s -- but that now metro RVA is the fastest growing region in the Commonwealth, and that the rate of growth is even faster than that of NOVA.

THAT fact blew everyone away (i.e., RVA outpacing even NOVA in rate of growth). I said - "Richmond is one of America's up-and-coming great cities", and one of the kids responded - "Oh, I believe it. It's a really cool city and there's a growing (Jewish) community there."

Turns out that one of the rabbi's nieces married someone from Richmond and the couple currently lives in RVA's Jewish community. How about that!

Either way - the rabbi's line really made my night- and it's something that the powers that be should be using in some heavy-duty marketing of RVA, city and metro.

"Of course we know of Richmond. Who doesn't?"

Edited August 21, 2023 by I miss RVA

[I miss RVA]

Sorry to report the passing of legendary RVA developer Louis Salamonsky at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer.

From today's Richmond BizSense:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/09/01/louis-salomonsky-prolific-and-controversial-local-developer-dead-at-84/

[Child2021]

I saw this from Reddit tonight, and I will say you probably will laugh at it. 

Original Question: What cities 50 - 100 years from now could become a Major City.

[I miss RVA]

22 hours ago, Child2021 said:

I saw this from Reddit tonight, and I will say you probably will laugh at it. 

Original Question: What cities 50 - 100 years from now could become a Major City.

 

The last post in that snip of the thread - from his/her keyboard to God's eyes!

 

[Child2021]

Policies & Issues — Garrett Sawyer for Richmond

[Flood Zone]

On 9/2/2023 at 9:43 PM, I miss RVA said:

The last post in that snip of the thread - from his/her keyboard to God's eyes!

May Toothless-Rodent's prediction come true.

[I miss RVA]

58 minutes ago, Flood Zone said:

May Toothless-Rodent's prediction come true.

AMEN to that!

[I miss RVA]

Folks,

RBS is hosting an open house to discuss the RVA residential real estate market on Wednesday, October 4 (which just so happens to be MY BIRTHDAY!! ) from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Foundry at Tredegar 500. The event is sponsored by the Home Building Association of Richmond. As of right now, four panelists have been enlisted, including RBS's Michael Schwartz, who will serve as moderator. Additional panelists likely will be added between now and October 4th.

To learn more and to register, visit the link below. Boy oh boy, how I wish I could attend. 

https://richmondbizsense.com/events/open-house-2023/?utm_campaign=RBS Marketing and Events&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=273095333&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Dym3YSeu7Xq8xo4PjR7Yflw9CQVZF0zaivBJCyt2EmGa-PZy332f_ywpxybXPK6RCPindJ4MLProQvT04c3WrRU4Z1OdCZZLbUKtTJHBrPpLNIBo&utm_content=273095333&utm_source=hs_email

[Child2021]

A video for the Old time Richmonders. 

 

[Brent114]

Looks so small…. And with only 5 cars on the highways, why bother with a traffic report lol.  95 and the Mayo bridge are more busy now at 4:00am on a Tuesday than they are in this clip. 

[Child2021]

Anyone thinks that there's a chance that Estes moves dowtown? I know they are growing at rapid proportions, but I feel like (if they were) to suceed in taking over yellow corp..they would need more space. 

By the way they are the 7th largest LTL trucking firm in the US, and is family owned.

[I miss RVA]

4 minutes ago, Child2021 said:

Anyone thinks that there's a chance that Estes moves downtown? I know they are growing at rapid proportions, but I feel like (if they were) to succeed in taking over yellow corp..they would need more space. 

By the way they are the 7th largest LTL trucking firm in the US, and is family owned.

Where are they currently located?

[Child2021]

Across from the "Ella" development.

[I miss RVA]

17 minutes ago, Child2021 said:

Across from the "Ella" development.

Across Broad Street? Or on the Westwood side?

[Child2021]

There's two different buildings full of people, and I will show a pic of them. 

HQ:

  

Other Building: 

 

On the Map:

 

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, Child2021 said:

There's two different buildings full of people, and I will show a pic of them. 

HQ:

  

Other Building: 

 

On the Map:

 

So Estes has offices in both buildings?

Man - it would be great if they'd come downtown - though I somehow doubt they'd build an office building. Perhaps, though, they could be the anchor tenant of a larger overall development. I'm still smarting that Sun Trust bailed on anchoring what would have been the 21-story Locks at 321 tower (where the 12-story apartment building is now) a few years ago. Sun Trust bailing is what killed that project.

Any idea what Estes' headcount in Richmond is?

[wrldcoupe4]

I cannot ever imagine them spending the money to build a building downtown

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

I cannot ever imagine them spending the money to build a building downtown

Same. How about serving as an anchor tenant in a larger overall development? Or is ownership of their office space too important to them, do you think?

Edited September 22, 2023 by I miss RVA

[wrldcoupe4]

I think they should participate in densifying their property there but don’t see them being a tenant.  

[I miss RVA]

Great story today courtesy of WRIC-TV8:  Travel & Leisure magazine ranked the 10 best places to live in Virginia, and Richmond came out on top!  Charlottesville was ranked second followed by Alexandria, Fairfax and Arlington rounding out the top 5.  Here's hoping the city's top ranking will equate to robust population growth going forward. (Interestingly, Travel & Leisure noted that metro RVA is the fastest growing region in the state).

Here's their ranking of the 10 best places to live in Virginia.

From WRIC-TV8:

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/list-richmond-ranked-best-place-to-live-in-virginia-according-to-travel-leisure-magazine/

For a more in-depth report, here's the Travel & Leisure magazine article:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-to-live-in-virginia-7975424

 

Edited September 28, 2023 by I miss RVA

[Child2021]

Does anyone remember this proposed development? 

 

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, Child2021 said:

Does anyone remember this proposed development? 

 

I don't recall seeing this. When was this proposed? (How long ago?)

[wrldcoupe4]

This site is for sale still I think.

[Child2021]

Ok, so who's ready for round two of the saga against area Sheetz? 

Some community members voice concern over proposed Sheetz in Henrico (wtvr.com)

[Child2021]

Take a look into the interesting article about Old Richmond. 

The Wall Street of the South | Cover Story | Style Weekly - Richmond, VA local news, arts, and events.