So, the end of the great "Baseball in the Bottom" debate has finally come. See the Richmond Times-Dispatch breaking news report here. Looks like Highwoods Properties decided to pick up all its toys and go home. And when I say ALL the toys, I mean all the toys. Highwoods has announced they are pulling out of any redevelopment proposal for the Boulevard corridor too.
I have to say, the Boulevard proposal always seemed to me to be totally secondary to the Downtown baseball stadium proposal anyway, kinda a "here you Boulevard proponents, we'll do SOMETHING for you, just so you'll play nice." Pity that, I think the Boulevard has HUGE potential as a retail corridor, being the connector between and so close to Northside and the Fan/Museum District/Carver/Jackson Ward. Just look at how successful Movieland Cinemas has been in the short time it's been open.
But no matter. The deal is dead. I am not too upset about it. If it worked on its own, without major investment from the City taxpayers, I wouldn't have been opposed. But the simple fact is the numbers didn't work without major subsidies from the City - and ONLY the City. The counties would have benefited, but didn't need to have any skin in the game. In this economic environment, that type of burden placed on the City and its bond rating just ain't reasonable.
Maybe we can now move on to discussing two things that I think are MUCH more interesting for revitalizing the Bottom - heritage tourism and high-speed rail.
And man, I gotta tell you - I was driving back from a meeting today and took the Manchester Bridge from the south side of the river to the north. That view is SPECTACULAR. I think it's the best view of the Richmond City skyline, period. If we ever did do a new stadium, how cool would it be to be on the South side of the River, with the stadium facing north, looking out over the water? That's a revitalization project I could get behind. A woman can dream....
Scott,
Some of us can think of two things at one time.
Baseball/Good Schools
It's not that hard.
Posted by: Paul | June 24, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I agree with the view from Manchester. However, as for a traffic issue, there is one word - nightmare. You think Shockoe was a traffic problem, look at Manchester - no existing parking decks (like the state's) and two ways in for the majority of folk - 14th St. and Manchester Bridge, where you'd have to turn left on Bainbridge or vicinity. No one would walk from the biz district.
Keep dreamin!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 24, 2009 at 11:38 AM
http://www.vagreenparty.org/richblog/?p=379
Even with the Shockoe Center proposal “dead”, the baseball stadium debate is STILL distracting Richmond citizens from other, more important priorities and issues.
Citizens must demand more from leadership and media than just the continued slugfest.
Posted by: Scott Burger | June 24, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Well we sunk two birds with one stone, a new Richmond record. If the Boulevard had such huge potential, it would have shown it by now. Baseball has only been gone one year.
Now we settle for half measures. A half a**ed stadium, for half the money and half the economic impact. Welcome to the Richmond Coliseum.
High speed rail. Get our you check book and your bulldozers. Why don't we build a spaceport. That would be cool too.
Posted by: Paul | June 24, 2009 at 06:15 AM
A laugh riot, FanGuy. Your biting wit and witty repartee never cease to amuse.
Posted by: Melissa Loughridge Savenko | June 23, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I've taken the liberty of helping you get started with your heritage tourism plans.
http://lifeinthe804.blogspot.com/2009/06/help-select-richmonds-new-advertising.html
Posted by: FanGuy | June 23, 2009 at 10:07 PM