Developing Richmond’s Waterfront

About 200 Richmonders — developers, elected officials, real estate lawyers, architects, citizens at large — were drawn to Plant Zero this morning by the promise of free coffee and pastries. Oh and also a presentation on Waterfront Development hosted by the City Department of Community Development.

July 16, 2009; 2:41 PM • by Erik Bonkovsky

About 200 Richmonders — developers, elected officials, real estate lawyers, architects, citizens at large — were drawn to Plant Zero this morning by the promise of free coffee and pastries. Oh and also a presentation on Waterfront Development hosted by the City Department of Community Development.

At 7:30 the caffeine addicts were disappointed to find none of promised coffee (or pastries for that matter) available.

Around 7:45 Rachel Flynn made a few introductory remarks. Then RRHA head Elliott Harrigan made a few more remarks in hushed tones, before Ethan Kent (VP for Project for Public Spaces) began the feature presentation.

Fully the first half of Kent’s PowerPoint slideshow felt like a sales pitch for PPS’s consultant work, replete with quotes from Winston Churchill and other luminaries, as well as clever photographs showing the value of good place development all over the world.

The second half of the presentation felt like a series of top ten lists.

Around the time Kent first mentioned ‘Waterfront,’ a bearded, doe-eyed barista finally emerged with a single airpot of coffee. For some reason, it made me think of a certain boy willing to share his lunch of bread and fish on the Judean plain. At least the supply of creamer was ample.

Kent taught us about the Power of Ten (i.e. every great developed place offers at least ten ‘attractions.’) He showed us graphics that contrasted good development models with bad development models. He enthusiastically described the nine characteristics of a good waterfront. You get the point.

Granted I’m no expert, but even to my novice ears, eyes, and brain the whole thing seems awfully intuitive. Community involvement and stake-holders (not developers, not politicians) must own and lead the charge in developing public places. Private and public entities must work together. Good management of place(s) is integral after the development is made. Are you listening Mayor Jones?

By this point several other airpots surfaced and the truly addicted were able to get their coffee fix. Although those craving breakfast sweet rolls were still disappointed. (I half expected the Mayor himself to stride daringly into the room, his pockets stuffed with pastries, tossing said pastries to the starving audience.)

One of the more insightful questions (or maybe just the only one that was audible to your intrepid correspondent) wondered about cities that have completed waterfront development projects that might serve as examples to Richmond.

Perhaps it’s a good thing there was no coffee otherwise Kent may have spit his on the front row. He mumbled his way through a garbled answer about every project being unique, not wanting to just copy somewhere else, etc. Excuse us for not jumping up and down about the lessons that Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, San Diego, and Vancouver offer for Richmond’s waterfront development. A more realistic and relatable example might have helped.

As things began winding down, one was left with the distinct impression that this presentation was but the first volley in the City’s effort to involved the community in re-developing Richmond’s waterfront. I wish I could tell you how it ended. But I had to scoot. Turns out, I needed a cup of Joe.

July 16, 2009 2:41 PM 10