Richmond Developments

[wrldcoupe4]

Raceway Expansion: RIR grows to over 112,000 seats

The current commonwealth grandstand will have a different look with a new club level and the addition of just under 5,000 seats which will raise capacity at the track to 112,029 seats. More seats mean more money for the local economy.

[burt]

Thanks for posting this good story, Coupe. For people like me with acrophobia, a seat in the new section would be out of the question. I wonder how high the top row will be?

I spent about 3 minutes trying to find the "play" key for the video, but finally succeeded.

[burt]

Guess where Henrico's TALLEST building is going to be?

More and considerably revised news about construction at Richmond International Raceway: Yesterday's report was literally only half the story. New seating is to total 7,843, though 2,911 obstructed seats will be removed for the reported total of 4,932. But the new section of the 112,029 seat facility will be the equivalent of an 18-story building towering 180 feet. There will be 700 club level, 2,246 mezzanine and 4,897 cheaper seats in the new Commonwealth Tower. The highest seat will be 168 feet above the ground.

RIR is considered the premier short track in the country. And look for further enhancements in the next five years, eventually bringing capacity to 150,000.

[Cadeho]

Wouldn't the RIC tower be the tallest?

[burt]

Wouldn't the RIC tower be the tallest?

Nope. I think it is no more than 125 feet. Eric would know.

[burt]

This coming Saturday, August 12th, is the date by which Norva is supposed to make a decision about assuming title to the National Theatre.

[eandslee]

The Richmond International Airport Control Tower is about 172 feet tall.

[burt]

The Richmond International Airport Control Tower is about 172 feet tall.

Thanks, Eric. I was sure you would know.

It will be reduced to second tallest structure in Henrico after Commonwealth Tower seating is completed at RIR.

[Cadeho]

Wow maybe if I stood on top of my house I could see it? I'm sure I'd get a nice view of downtown from there too ... in winter. But I'm not trying that.

[burt]

Wow maybe if I stood on top of my house I could see it? I'm sure I'd get a nice view of downtown from there too ... in winter. But I'm not trying that.

Hahaha. The way you scramble over and atop viaducts and trestles to get pictures, I can easily visualize you scaling the new seating tower at RIR.

[Cadeho]

I wonder if they'll allow me to take pics from there when it's done without a race. I'm not a race fan. I do know I sure can hear them!

[burt]

According to a story in today's TD, Mayor Wilder's City of the Future plan to close a bunch of old schools and construct 15 new ones is being questioned. The $200 million budget is a pretty skimpy amount to build 15 new schools say critics. It would average out to less than $15 million per building, and that's pretty unrealistic given today's skyrocketing costs.

So far, the Mayor and his advisors are staying mum on the matter except to suggest that the plan might simply be Phase I. Meaning, maybe, fewer buildings in the short haul?

Edited August 13, 2006 by burt

[Downtowner]

Well i'm certainly glad to hear that New Schools are on the way.

[BGW]

According to a story in today's TD, Mayor Wilder's City of the Future plan to close a bunch of old schools and construct 15 new ones is being questioned. The $200 million budget is a pretty skimpy amount to build 15 new schools say critics. It would average out to less than $15 million per building, and that's pretty unrealistic given today's skyrocketing costs.

So far, the Mayor and his advisors are staying mum on the matter except to suggest that the plan might simply be Phase I. Meaning, maybe, fewer buildings in the short haul?

This just furthers my belief that Douggie's clueless on schools. Or maybe my half-joking statement that he wants to sink the whole ship and turn the system over to charter schools wasn't a joke after all.

[Cadeho]

I wouldn't mind seeing our schools in the city run like Fork Union or Hargrave.

[burt]

I can't find the thread in which Berry Burk is discussed, so I'll enter the comment here.

The building's conversion into residential is 95% leased.

See ther Dining Out thread for another exciting disclosure about Berry Burk at 6th and Grace.

The source for both of these stories is Greg Gilligan's column in today's Richmond Times Dispatch.

Edited August 14, 2006 by burt

[BGW]

I wouldn't mind seeing our schools in the city run like Fork Union or Hargrave.

We already have Franklin Military (in the old Minnis Middle building), and another school like that wouldn't be a bad idea, but the whole system? No thanks. We've got a couple ex-Fork Union teachers at my school and I don't think they'd last a second in RPS.

[Cadeho]

They sure did went to war on our football team... but there should be some discipline or rigid structure than there is now.

[Shakman]

Good news for burt... I saw some inspections taking place at the National Theater. It may not be much, but it is something.

[burt]

Good news for burt... I saw some inspections taking place at the National Theater. It may not be much, but it is something.

I wonder if coupe has talked to has buddy at Historic Richmond regarding The National?

Thanks, Shak.

And Shak, Coupe took some great pics of the new CH last weekend. If you havent seen them they are in Richmond Pictures II.

Edited August 22, 2006 by burt

[Shakman]

Adjacent to Richmond Citywide Boxing (The old Public Works site), there is something "under construction". Dirt has been moved and what appears to be the beginning of building pad is starting to take shape. Anyone know what is going on here?

[burt]

Adjacent to Richmond Citywide Boxing (The old Public Works site), there is something "under construction". Dirt has been moved and what appears to be the beginning of building pad is starting to take shape. Anyone know what is going on here?

Where is this place?

[Shakman]

It is near Overbrook Road and I-95 /I-64 overpass. One can see the work when traveling on I-95 /I-64, between Belvediere and Boulevard.

[burt]

It is near Overbrook Road and I-95 /I-64 overpass. One can see the work when traveling on I-95 /I-64, between Belvediere and Boulevard.

The Pharmaceutical operations that used to be known as Robins (I can't remember its new name but it is a major company) is in that area. Maybe they are enlarging.

Anybody got a clue as to what is happening there?

[Cadeho]

The Richmond Food Bank is in that area. They're building a new building. That could be it.