Backers pull Boulevard development plan, city moves forward with Shockoe Plan
“The mayor has made it abundantly clear that he does not need or want an alternative….”
It now appears that the privately funded effort to replace the Diamond and add retail to the Boulevard site is dead. Ultimately it seems that the decision to withdraw the offer is the result of the Mayor’s office complete refusal to even consider another option.
From RTD we get a portion of the letter that one of the developers sent to the Mayor and City Council.
“The mayor has made it abundantly clear that he does not need or want an alternative in the event the land acquisition and developer contracts for the Shockoe Bottom project do not materialize,” the Rebkee letter reads. “While we don’t agree this is in the city’s best interest, we respect that decision. We also recognize that no plan can go forward without the support of those in control of the city. A transaction of this scale is difficult with parties who share the same goals; it is impossible between those that do not.”
As of Monday evening, the mayor’s office had not responded to the letter, which was signed by Rebkee’s Robert W. Hargett and Kevin T. McFadden.
“We wish the mayor and his development team the best of luck with the Shockoe Bottom project,” the letter concludes. “We trust that the promised redevelopment of the Boulevard site will begin soon.”
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Richard Hayes
When Richard isn’t rounding up neighborhood news, he’s likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest craft beer.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
WHAT THE ****?
This was only on the table for…. a week? Never mind the merits of either project, how could the mayor/administration be so irresponsible?
Now I am beginning to think there something fishy/corrupt going on here. And I wasn’t adamantly against the original proposal. But this seems really strange.
Why was this proposal not floated one or two years ago? It would have likely gained much more traction in myriad ways. Instead they just drop it in the final hour whilst the Shockoe redevelopment decision is coming to a head. The mayor’s callous reaction is a bit off-putting but the timing of Rebkee’s proposal remains a bit strange and inopportune.
Mayor Jones is so crooked. Stuffing his pockets with under the table buy outs and shady deals. It’s apparent because he’s not open to any other alternative. I wish someone would start an investigation into this deal and just see how crooked this project is.