Redevelopment of the GRTC Bus Barn - A Political Tussle in the Making

Ruh-roh, Rocky.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports this morning that the City of Richmond has two candidates with strong ties to the current administration on the list of eight finalists for appointment to the GRTC Board.  They are Peter Chapman, the City's Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic and Community Development, and Sheila Hill-Christian, former Chief Administrative Officer in a previous administration and current consultant to Mayor Jones.

Now, why should anyone care?  Because the fate of the current GRTC Bus Barn, a 6.8 acre site located at 101 S. Davis Avenue in the Fan District, is in play.  How that site will be redeveloped and by whom will be decided by this Board.  And any redevelopment at that location is going to be a BIG - no, make that a GIGANTIC - concern to residents of the Fan District, Boulevard, Carytown, the Museum District, Byrd Park, and Maymont.

Now, Mayor Jones has previously suggested that the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority ("RRHA") take over the development of this parcel.  I have previously said I think this is an absolutely terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad idea.  I haven't changed my mind about that.  And the nomination of Mr. Chapman and Ms. Hill-Christian certainly smells a bit funny.

Here's a suggestion.  Why not reappoint the current three GRTC Board members to their present seats?  Certainly, with the decision on what to do with this parcel imminent - GRTC vacates the bus barns in December 2009 - continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge of events leading up to today, would be critical.  Just one woman's opinion....

Comments

[Paul]

"Let's get this parcel to a private developer who will do great thigs with it"

Amen!

[Scott Burger]

I am in agreement with you. Let's get this parcel to a private developer who will do great thigs with it, including green building and solar panels.

The RRHA needs to figure out what's its mission is. The GRTC is supposed to be about mass tranit, not real estate development.