Broad Street Revitalization

[burt]

Regarding parking vs. walking- one thing not mentioned so far on this topic is public transportation. Broad St. downtown is our best-served transit corridor and accessible from most parts of the city, and various parts of the suburbs. We should make use of it!

Parking lots- surface and structured- create holes in the urban fabric that make our streets less attractive to pedestrians, decrease density, and discourage a robust transit system by catering to private automobiles. Even structured parking decks with retail on the first floor (which I hope is what's being considered for 6th & Grace) usually create an architectural eyesore in the city and take up valuable downtown space which would be better used for other purposes, in my opinion.

Has there been any movement on the downtown circulator? Unless it is run on a 10-minute or less headway, I say they might as well forget it.

If, however, an intelligent (and probably expensive plan) is inaugerated, hopefully they'll take a cue from Chattanooga and use electric-powered buses.

[ambivalentrichmonder]

Has there been any movement on the downtown circulator? Unless it is run on a 10-minute or less headway, I say they might as well forget it.

If, however, an intelligent (and probably expensive plan) is inaugerated, hopefully they'll take a cue from Chattanooga and use electric-powered buses.

Burt, latest info I know about a circulator I posted on my blog:

http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/06/12...ys-in-the-news/

[burt]

Burt, latest info I know about a circulator I posted on my blog:

http://richmondva.wordpress.com/2007/06/12...ys-in-the-news/

Good coverage, AR. I wasn't aware that a circulator plan had been tossed on the ash bin.

I like, basically, Pantele's plan, and our friend Scott Burger makes some good points. VCU should collaborate.

As much as I love rail, fixed-in-concrete routes are expensive and risky. Perhaps steel-wheeled vehicles will come after experiments with flexible bus routes.

A central downtown transfer point is important, IMO. I think Main Street Station is out of the loop for that purpose, unless it becomes a storage/maintenance facility.

[journiyin]

Good coverage, AR. I wasn't aware that a circulator plan had been tossed on the ash bin.

I like, basically, Pantele's plan, and our friend Scott Burger makes some good points. VCU should collaborate.

As much as I love rail, fixed-in-concrete routes are expensive and risky. Perhaps steel-wheeled vehicles will come after experiments with flexible bus routes.

A central downtown transfer point is important, IMO. I think Main Street Station is out of the loop for that purpose, unless it becomes a storage/maintenance facility.

A good hub spot is the parking lot behind the 4th Precint police station. 5th and Cary I do believe. Allows people to walk the rest of the way down to Brown Island and CBD within 5 minutes. Not a used space at all and a one level parking deck takes care of the existing needs.

[burt]

Excellent suggestion, journi. Only drawback, the site is considerably lower at the Canal Street side than at Cary Street. Do you think having to negotiate hills from there would be a detriment for pedestrians?

There's also the Bowtie lot bounded by Main, Cary, 3rd and 4th. The Bowtie people call it Jefferson Square and say they're going to place residential, commercial and film houses there. It was announced about two years ago and the only activity has been the demolition of one building and the leveling of the lot for parking.

[journiyin]

Excellent suggestion, journi. Only drawback, the site is considerably lower at the Canal Street side than at Cary Street. Do you think having to negotiate hills from there would be a detriment for pedestrians?

There's also the Bowtie lot bounded by Main, Cary, 3rd and 4th. The Bowtie people call it Jefferson Square and say they're going to place residential, commercial and film houses there. It was announced about two years ago and the only activity has been the demolition of one building and the leveling of the lot for parking.

The draw back is there yes, but it is like having a house with a walk out basement in the back... a bonus. Put the parking in the deck on the side that is lower, and place the hub on the higher side. As far as pedestrians are concerned... they already walk down to Brown Island from their parking spaces all over downtown, I just saved them a few blocks... so I cant see the grade being that much of a factor.

The Bowtie would be another nice location too.

[burt]

Here's a very appropriate comment from VAPAF's PPEA.

"The project will result in economic growth in and the revitalization of the Broad Street Corridor. Over 65 million dollars will be invested in renovations to the Carpenter Theatre and the construction of the Dorothy Pauley Square venue and additional funds will be applied toward renovations to the Landmark Theatre. These projects will bring an anticipated 500 new jobs during the construction phase. Upon completion, the increase in foot traffic and visits to the downtown area from those living within the city and surrounding regions will have a substantial impact on retail trade in the commercial and hospitality business communities. The project will enhance the quality of life downtown and is a key component in attracting not only major corporations like Mead Westvaco and Phillip Morris to the downtown area, but also young families and professionals seeking to live and work in a cosmopolitan urban setting.

"Additionally, higher quality facilities will attract a broader base of high quality performing arts. For example, by improving the Landmark Theatre, the community will be able to attract more and larger Broadway productions and music tours to Richmond. The project and the anticipated commercial growth in its surroundings are expected to generate a significant increase in admissions and meals taxes and will also help to support Community Development Authority improvements to streets, sidewalks and parking facilities. The Project will also benefit the community not only by helping to revitalize the Broad Street Corridor and by increasing retail trade tax revenue, but by bringing the performing arts to a more diverse audience through non-traditional performances, unique programming, and performing arts education."

[Cadeho]

The Carpenter Center had always operated down there even while the area was declining. Why now would it spark all this stuff? It's almost like they're regarding its mere presence with an addition would save the world. And if they think it would completely convert everything now, why didn't they think of it as a miracle worker then?

[journiyin]

The Carpenter Center had always operated down there even while the area was declining. Why now would it spark all this stuff? It's almost like they're regarding its mere presence with an addition would save the world. And if they think it would completely convert everything now, why didn't they think of it as a miracle worker then?

Because they now feel they might get an audience to show up

[burt]

Because they now feel they might get an audience to show up

The aim of the complex, much delayed by controversy, appears to be in line with the wishes of most people contributing to this thread. We know art is low on your priority list, Cam, but maybe you can think of it as better late than never toward your wishes for more retail activity downtown.

PS: The PPEA prepared and submitted March 27th 2007 is posted in its entirety in the Virginia Performing Arts thread. It is 68 pages long, but if anybody is truly interested, I predict you'll have far more confidence in the project after a read-thru. It duplicates many things in the December 31st 2006 Committee Report but goes far beyond it in comprehensive information.

[Cadeho]

It's not because it's low on my priority list, it's the hype that should have been there all along. It's not like the Carpenter Center went out of business in the 70s and sat vacant for decades. It had always been active and if I can remember, it did not generate any life to save Miller & Rhoads, Thalhimer's, Berry Burk, or Cokesbury etc. So what's the big difference?

[burt]

It's not because it's low on my priority list, it's the hype that should have been there all along. It's not like the Carpenter Center went out of business in the 70s and sat vacant for decades. It had always been active and if I can remember, it did not generate any life to save Miller & Rhoads, Thalhimer's, Berry Burk, or Cokesbury etc. So what's the big difference?

Nevermind, Cam.

[ric75]

It's not because it's low on my priority list, it's the hype that should have been there all along. It's not like the Carpenter Center went out of business in the 70s and sat vacant for decades. It had always been active and if I can remember, it did not generate any life to save Miller & Rhoads, Thalhimer's, Berry Burk, or Cokesbury etc. So what's the big difference?

The Carpenter Center alone can't revitalize Broad Street. What you have to consider is all the other things happening in the area that weren't there before... the Hilton Garden Inn, The National Theater, new restaurants, art galleries, the Convention Center. The momentum is swinging in the right direction for a refurbished Carpenter Center to help sped the revitalization of the area. I think the timing will be perfect.

[Cadeho]

My point is, even before the stores went out of business and there were still people coming down to shop and see shows, the center did not rescue the area then. The potential's always been there. There's nothing really new.

[burt]

My point is, even before the stores went out of business and there were still people coming down to shop and see shows, the center did not rescue the area then. The potential's always been there. There's nothing really new.

I'm not even going there. Your statement doesn't make a grain of sense. But there are some on the Florida thread who would love your analysis and continue to spin it eternally.

[ric75]

I'm not even going there. Your statement doesn't make a grain of sense. But there are some on the Florida thread who would love your analysis and continue to spin it eternally.

Agreed. It must be hard work being perpetually negative

[Cadeho]

It's not being negative. I'm sorry I don't rubberstamp everything as OH YES GREAT! LET'S DO IT!

Fact: The Carpenter Center had been in operation during the entire time downtown was slumping and did it bring downtown back? No. How is that not making sense?

No one wants to answer the question, HOW IS IT DIFFERENT? Because they say so? All I'm saying is, if the Carpenter Center is the cure, then downtown should never have gotten ill since it's always been there drawing it's little crowd until a few years ago. The center did not draw stores. Everything around it went out of business and/or closed! Then all of a sudden it's the savior? Please.

[ric75]

It's not being negative. I'm sorry I don't rubberstamp everything as OH YES GREAT! LET'S DO IT!

Fact: The Carpenter Center had been in operation during the entire time downtown was slumping and did it bring downtown back? No. How is that not making sense?

No one wants to answer the question, HOW IS IT DIFFERENT? Because they say so? All I'm saying is, if the Carpenter Center is the cure, then downtown should never have gotten ill since it's always been there drawing it's little crowd until a few years ago. The center did not draw stores. Everything around it went out of business and/or closed! Then all of a sudden it's the savior? Please.

Quit assuming that everyone that likes this project is rubber stamping it because they've been slick talked by the Richmond Centerstage people. I just said in my second to last post that the Carpenter Center alone can't revitalize Broad St. nor could it have single-handedly saved it from its demise a few decades ago. However, now that Broad is on the upswing again because of the aforementioned activities going on there, this is a perfect time to build on that success by refurbishing the Carpenter Center and bringing more of the arts crowd downtown. I don't think anyone has tried to argue that this is some kind of fix-all for Broad. That area has already started fixing itself through the free-market and it's nice to see the government back that up for a change.

[journiyin]

The fix all was the cities determination to get a residential tax base back in this section of the city. The refurbishment of the carpenter center et al was a catalytic reaction tied to the residential/retail explosion that is happening in the area. I look out my window each morning at Richmond Center Stage. It is too nice of a building to just sit with people living across the street and within a 5 minute bus ride. The remodeling of the building will simply put the area over the top and allow for a full night life in this section. With the conclusion of construction of M & R and the Fed Courthouse, tied to the Carpenter center and perhaps a redone 6th Marketplace, the district will be as vibrant as it ever was, perhaps more with the existence of people actually living in the middle of it. I would have to say, and this is a reiteration, that this project is great, but not the cause of a revitalization, that is already happening, this is just a better face to put on it. No one really knows Berry Burk is apartments right now (we do, yes, but ask a person who doesnt live downtown), they might know the Miller and Rhoads building is being converted... but they will definitely know that the Carpenter Center is getting redone. Why? Because it is a landmark, it is a venue for people outside the area to visit, if the Coliseum were redone people would know, but if a block on Marshall St was redone into a mixed use building with condos and such.... most people wont know.

All about global perspective, and the city needs a flagship building back downtown to draw people in to this section... just so happens they think that the Carpenter Center is such a building.

[burt]

Thank you ric75 and journiyin, though a fat lot of good it will do toward opening some eyes.

For a while amid discussions of Richmond CenterStage, I got the impression that the 7th and Grace Thalhimer would be demolished and a new structure built for Dorothy Pauley Square. I'm glad I misinterpreted, because I think the Thalhimer building's facade neatly compliments the Carpenter Theatre.

A FAQ segment in VAPAF's web page hints that "they" will build a parking deck across Grace Street, but there is no elaboration. Journi, I believe you report that another entity has plans for parking in the Community Development area.

I think Brent and I are perhaps the only two who appreciated the sleek lines of the old Atlantic Life Building on Grace between 6th and 7th. I was sorry to see it go. The lower garage levels were not very pretty, but there was active commercial on the ground level including a store called May (I don't think it was affiliated with the big chain) and the wonderful and very popular Hot Shoppes Cafeteria.

Valet parking was the system from the beginning in the large deck, but mysteriously and suddenly, thefts from parked cars and pilfering from the big department stores became a major problem in the 1960's. Self-parking replaced valet service and fearful shoppers began looking toward Willow Lawn and suburbia. M&R and Thalhimers held on thru the decline as did old Loew's (Carpenter) until it finally went the soft-porn route. The Richmond Symphony bought Loew's in the early 1980's, did immense refurbishing and renamed it The Virginia Center for the Performing Arts. The grand old theatre was built as a movie palace and vaudeville venue with limited stage capabilities. Eventual enlargement was essential if it was to be taken seriously. Thus, over the years it, as well as Richmond Coliseum, the much maligned 6th Street Marketplace and Marriott Hotel, began a slow turn-around. Art and education have been vital essentials in bringing serious attention to a forlorn downtown.

[Cadeho]

Quit assuming that everyone that likes this project is rubber stamping it because they've been slick talked by the Richmond Centerstage people. I just said in my second to last post that the Carpenter Center alone can't revitalize Broad St. nor could it have single-handedly saved it from its demise a few decades ago. However, now that Broad is on the upswing again because of the aforementioned activities going on there, this is a perfect time to build on that success by refurbishing the Carpenter Center and bringing more of the arts crowd downtown. I don't think anyone has tried to argue that this is some kind of fix-all for Broad. That area has already started fixing itself through the free-market and it's nice to see the government back that up for a change.

And you didn't answer my question with your other post, therefore I continued.

Besides, I really wanted Burt's answer.

You did well enough.

[burt]

And you didn't answer my question with your other post, therefore I continued.

Besides, I really wanted Burt's answer.

You did well enough.

You did DAMNED well, ric75!

[burt]

The more I reflect on my tourist/commuter trolley route between Tredegar and Rocketts Landing following waterways the entire length, the better I like it. It's in the "Future" thread and I don't know how to bring it over here.

Anyway, now my idle brain-in-retirement has another idea to compliment the proposal. Connect it with a circular and frequent electric bus loop beginning at Jackson Street thence via 5th to a dock near my lonlely flag poles on the canal, then east on Tredegar Street to the dry fountain, and swing up 7th to Jackson again.

It would, among other uses, add to Broad Street revitalization.

Are you listening, Venture Richmond?

[majors2410]

Are there any new renevations starting on Broad. Has anyone moved into Emerk yet? Anyone heard what may go on the first floor of Emerck?

[burt]

Are there any new renevations starting on Broad. Has anyone moved into Emerk yet? Anyone heard what may go on the first floor of Emerck?

Yes, Majors. A few older buildings on Broad east of 1st Street are undergoing paint jobs and general upfitting. And there are plans for more renovations.

Jemal's Douglas Development Company, which owns the CNB tower as well as the former bank building at n/w corner of Broad and 3rd, is a catalyst in the district. The Washington based company is in negotiations to purchase three or four neglected storefronts. And at least one other developer has expressed interest in renovating some commercial buildings on the north side of Broad.

I can't answer about tenancy at Emerick Flats but would suspect units there are selling.

I do know that a new restaurant has opened directly across from Emerick at Adams and Marshall. It is called Marshall Street Cafe and has gotten at least one very good review.