Comments on: Developing Richmond’s Waterfront

By: Jonah Holland

Jonah Holland — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:30:13 +0000

Hi. I just wanted to mention that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be providing exactly what you asked: a representative from a city that has been successful in revitalizing part of its waterfront to come in and explain how it was done –on Aug 4-5, we’ll be hosting Green Tonic, Urban Gardening for Health & Wholeness. Drew Becher, Director of the New York Restoration Project, in NYC will be here to talk about various projects including what they’ve done with the waterfront in New York. PLUS we’ll be hosting LaDonna Redmond, from the Institute for Community Resource Development in Chicago and experts from Philadelphia as well.
We want Richmonders to learn from these success stories, plus we want to acknowledge all of the great things that are already happening here in Richmond.
If you want to learn more about the symposium (and see a complete agenda), please visit our website: http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/GreenTonic.php

By: Liberty

Liberty — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:18:01 +0000

the people who best know how to develop the waterfront are govt. bureaucrats who have never developed anything in their lives. People with a track record of developing real estate, who put their own money on the line, who take the risk and hope to make profit by providing consumers with what they want are evil.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:37:50 +0000

Paul, I think the point is that stakeholders beyond the standard ones need to be involved early and intensively because developers and politicians often pursue development in ways that works against the best uses for the public.

A lot has been made of opposition to the Echo Harbor project. I can’t speak for everyone, but I don’t think opposition to that project means that everyone is opposed to all development. But the public needs to be involved because the development has to be done in a way that really preserves public access. Dinner on the river would be great, but there should be quality access to the river that does not cost $$, and I think it should be incorporated into the area between Shiplock park and Rockett’s.

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:20:31 +0000

I am sorry I missed the meeting. I could not get up in time. Thanks for the write-up.

The Richmond Riverfront Development Corporation controls most of the prime riverfront land in downtown that is not under the new James River Park conservation easement. What are their future plans?

Because, while they are certainly a stakeholder, I have not been overly impressed with that they have done. The City gave a $50 million check to Cordish and I am still seeing a lot of vacant spaces. Toad’s was nice while it was open but what is happening with the Ladybird Hat Factory Building now? Will Dominion Power ever put solar panels on their Enron-style energy trading floor like the architect suggested? Are the motor boats doing the Canal tours making any money?

Other more far-out questions/suggestions-

Meeting/intersection of Capitol Trail and East Coast Greenway (greenway.org)?
Environmentally sensitive micro hydroelectric?
Pro competition paintball field?
Will sturgeons ever come back to James River downtown?
River sky tram like Roosevelt in NYC?
Flea market/food stalls along Canal Walk?

I would like to see RESPONSIBLE riverfront development that protects historic neighborhood views and public access. Density and height can be a good thing in certain parts of the downtown footprint, very bad in others (protect the views!). Green building (especially green roofs) is a must.

By: John

John — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:15:17 +0000

I’m not even sure what 16 ideas you were trying to pack into that paragraph, bcat.

By: bcat

bcat — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:30:05 +0000

I object to the whole idea. I object to development on the waterfront. I object to waterfronts. Has anyone followed the money? The developers are trying to fleece the city. What about the floodplain? Has anyone considered the floodplain? Suburbanites will never come to a city waterfront. What about parking? Will there be enough parking? This idea is a boondoggle. A farce. A money pit. The bonds will never float. The floats will never bond. What if the company goes bankrupt? What if there’s an earthquake? A hurricane? A waterspout? We need to fix our schools first. We need affordable housing. Will this provide affordable housing? And we need to preserve our historical spaces. I mean, our green spaces. Don’t come crying to me when your property taxes go up.

By: paul_h

paul_h — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:20:43 +0000

Community involvement and stake-holders (not developers, not politicians)

I disagree, developer and politicians are stakeholders.

Also Project for Public Spaces has a long track record of success. Why not benefit from their experience and the examples of successful waterfront development elsewhere?

Here is my coverage of the same story.
Richmond’s Riverfont Marketplace

By: Andy Thornton

Andy Thornton — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:50:48 +0000

On the positive side the turnout was surprisingly strong. Rachel Flynn deserves kudos for pushing the discussion of planned development in Richmond. I would agree that this is the beginning of a process that hopefully will come up with a more cohesive plan for the Riverfront and downtown.
On the negative side – apart from the glitch with the caterer not showing up – the lack of a sound system was a real frustration as it was very hard to hear the presentation or the questions. Someone should have had the presence of mind to have made sure that the presentation was audible.
The slide show of waterfronts was both inspiring and at times enervating. It is hard to believe that we don’t have multiple restaurants in the Lady Bird Hat Building and around the Turning Basin. As with so many things `Richmond’ we are so slow on the uptake. The potential is right in front of us but we continue to fall short of that potential. But now I am waxing cynical.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:48:54 +0000

FYI – the Plant Zero Cafe guy was SUPPOSED to provide the java at 7:30 but “mixed up” the dates for the presentation.

By: Valerie Catrow

Valerie Catrow — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:02:18 +0000

I think it’s kind of strange that the meeting was at 7:30am on a Thursday. What about people who have to go to work? That probably greatly limited the number of people who could attend.