I am hearing from sources that VCU will get City Stadium and that the deal is imminent. I am also hearing from sources that this is a deal that has been in the making between the powers-that-be and VCU Board of Trustees for quite a while.
WHY? I realize VCU has done a ton of good for the City, but they shouldn't be able to railroad through a deal just because....they're VCU.
Why would the adminstration sell to VCU now, without an adequate review of alternative options and - most importantly - appropriate discussion with all the stakeholders, meaning of course the immediate neighborhood, both residents and Carytown business owners, but really with ALL City residents?
This is yet another example of the City getting it bass-ackwards. Significant City-owned properties need to be master planned FIRST, with input from the citizen stakeholders, and proposals for development solicited SECOND. The City is working with developers - including VCU - first, and then presenting a fait accompli to the community. This makes any change to the proposed and City-supported proposal by the "little people" an uphill battle. Not to mention it's damn arrogant and pretty much a slap in the face to the actual residents of the City of Richmond.
The City needs to master plan the following sites ASAP. Like NOW. Like YESTERDAY. And not a single proposal for any type of development of any kind should even be considered until that master planning process is complete. These City-owned properties are:
1. The City Stadium;
2. The Bus Barn complex in the Fan; and
3. A large swath of Boulevard.**
Mayor Jones, you and your administration have a duty to the citizens of this City to do what's right with City Stadium and these other properties. You were not elected by the VCU Board of Trustees. My objection is to the all-to-familiar back door feel of this PROCESS. If at the end of a master planning process for City Stadium the community wants VCU to have the stadium, then so be it. But do not shove something down our throats when you are talking about one of the most valuable pieces of developable land in the City.
** NOTE: Yes, I am aware that there are multiple owners of that property, and Richmond Metropolitan Authority ("RMA") is a entity made up of the City and surrounding counties. However, there are ways to get everyone on the same page, if you present a win-win.
The GRTC Bus Barn location discussion is getting on track again with the locals here: http://byrdpark.net/2011/04/19/the-bus-barn-languishes/
The Byrd Park area really needs these areas developed responsibly in the near future. Vacant city owned spaces that are in such disrepair only hurt area property values.
Posted by: RobinsonSt | April 19, 2011 at 05:38 PM