North Richmond News

Urban Richmond, a local weblog focused on development and planning issues, has a good summary of a recent Times-Dispatch article on the Richmond Braves’ plans to stay at or near the Diamond, their current stadium on North Boulevard, and Mayor Wilder’s vision for 60 acres of city-owned land surrounding the site. The Times-Dispatch article also details a potential land swap between the city and the state — the current Coliseum site downtown in exchange for the Virginia ABC department’s headquarters on Hermitage Road.

The discussion is gathering momentum because Richmond is pushing to transform the land it owns around The Diamond to allow for construction of a new ballpark for the Richmond Braves, a tennis complex for VCU, and a privately developed aquatics center.

The Wilder administration also wants to encourage private development of the land with a mixture of retail, office, commercial and residential uses at a key entrance to the city.

The city recently issued a request for proposals to hire a firm for real estate and advisory services. The firm would scour the country for private proposals on how to best develop the land that the city owns around North Boulevard, Hermitage Road, Interstate 95 and the CSX railroad tracks.

Harry E. Black, chief financial officer and deputy chief administrative officer, said the city has shared the plan with the Atlanta Braves, which owns the AAA franchise here and would be part of the development.

“They are comfortable and excited about this approach,” Black said.