North Richmond News

Jon Baliles, whose River City Rapids website provides an ongoing look at what’s going on around Richmond, cautions Richmonders looking for a quick fix along the Boulevard corridor — especially on the heels of recent newspaper articles on Mayor Wilder’s ideas for growth.

Despite the proclamations earlier this week by the RMA that the Braves are staying at the Diamond, it is noteworthy the Braves have not commented for any of these stories. Their option runs out at the end of this season, and if the only thing in front of them is possibilities for talks about a grand plan, I wouldn’t expect them to renew their option.

Just because the RMA says so does not make it so. Even more astonishing is the editorial attitude in today’s T-D that proclaims “The team not only has extended its lease at The Diamond but in the future will play either at a renovated ballpark or at a new stadium in the vicinity.”

I have confirmed this morning the Braves have not signed anything and no one has an actual plan for a stadium, just more talk. The editorial is reminiscent of those that sold us the bill of goods on how great 6th St. Marketplace would be, how the Convention Center would restore downtown, and how the arts center will flourish, ad infinitum.

This is a process that is on a shorter time line than people think. Simply wishing it were so does not get it done. It is amazing people around here still sell it and I would hope more and more of us refuse to buy it. Talking about it and wishing it were so while giving the appearance all is well is ignoring reality, and then it is too late and the Braves are gone.