Riverfront Proposals Galore
Phill Riggan of Richmond.com has posted an excellent summary of the third and final public forum on the Richmond Riverfront Plan. There are some very interesting proposals that are being batted about. I think the one that would have the most direct affect on the majority of H&H readers would be the changes to Belle Island, which would be in the second phase.
The presentation began with proposals for the popular 65-acre wild island that is Belle Isle and progressed eastward as the James flows. Maybe the most surprising proposals of the forum came from Belle Isle, including creating a competitive whitewater kayaking run on the Southside rocks that could be managed by a “control bladder” on the existing ruins of the VEPCO dam at the western end of the island. Extreme sports at an estimated $4.1 million in improvments were the focus, with a mountain biking skills course, kayaking, hiking, climbing and rappelling all included.
That was one of the lower cost proposals. The first phase has a cost of $35.4 million and among other items would include purchasing and developing Mayo Island. Also interesting to note, the plan doesn’t offer any solutions for parking. Parking for the parks is already maxed out if we further develop these assets, and we should, the parking issue will need a creative solution.
This is a very brief summary you really need to read Phil’s piece to get an idea of the massive scope of this plan. Alternatively you can check out the plan presentations from the first two forums online, with the third forum coming soon.
I certainly like the concept of Belle Isle, but the Brown’s Island stuff is the most intriguing to me, with the best potential for return on investment. I love the easy things, like rails-to-trails along the Missing Link. Thank you for linking Richard.
I agree that Brown’s Island has the best ROI. Seems to me RVA government has become addicted to giant plans and fails to do “easy things” as you mentioned. The plan calls for investing millions but right now we could spend thousands and get more employees to take care of what we have, add some trash cans or bike racks.
The biggest ticket item is Mayor Island. Take that out (and it is private property) and the rest of it becomes affordable. But “additional employees” is not a cheap option. Peersonnel costs would average at $50K/person. But with a brief exception, Richmond has not invested in its infrastructure and that includes parks. Should we prioritirize current parks at the expense of future acquisitions? Or should we realize that we may not get a second chance at some of these options? But economic development such as the City Stadium proposal or some of the plans for N. Boulevard would give us the resources to do more at the riverfront, while creating attractive venues, themselves.
Make that “Mayo Island.”
I see your point David but I feel like, (just a feeling no facts) that Richmond will end up doing neither. The infrastructure will continue to decay and no movement will be made on the big picture. Case in point the baseball stadium. I’m very interested to see how the Shockoe Bottom Revitalization effort goes. The recent movement on the train shed is interesting but I don’t know if a giant glass building, with no tenants, looking over a parking lot and under utilized farmers’ market is the answer.
While this last forum presented some very positive possibilities for more park and recreation possibilities, I urge folks to check out the presentation from the previous forum, the second one, which focused more on private development for the riverfront. Some of that deserves more citizen consternation.
#5. Mine was a wish list, Richard. I agree with you as to the likelihood.
Lord yes please address parking, some of us get overrun on our streets on weekends as it is; wish people would use the parking lot (I’m talking to YOU Reedy creek put in people!)
RT @HillsHeights: Riverfront Proposals Galore – http://t.co/oQODuTQK
The biggest ticket item is Mayor Island.
David, I think you got that right the first time.
I also agree with you overall. The last thing we need is a massive plan at public expense. You are right. We are not taking care of the parks we have. Anything that does not include economic development along the river is a waste of time.
The Partnership for Smarter Growth put on an interesting seminar a few years ago. I see nothing of their recommendations.
Richmond’s Riverfront Marketplace
I also agree that we need GOOD riverfront development to help pay for our current riverfront maintenance and operating costs.
However, there is a real problem with how things have been approached- which is to say that in too many cases its been a “leave no developer behind” mentality.
Case in point: Mayo Island, which over the years has been a baseball stadium and concert venue…
http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/goodbye-mayo-island-concerts/Content?oid=1391295
I have nothing personal against the Shaia family. Yet the fact that there is still an illegal billboard collecting rent really angers me.
http://www.scenicvirginia.org/mayobillboard.html
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