Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones says some of the revenues generated by economic development at the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom could be devoted to other uses, such as schools and parks. The offer comes at a time when Jones is pushing hard for a plan that would tear down The Diamond, the current home of the […]
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Richmond ballpark opponents: Map used to justify location is incorrect
The creator of a slave-trade map used by Richmond officials says it’s not accurate and should not be used to justify the construction of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark in Shockoe Bottom. A map of Shockoe Bottom slave-trade sites was created in 2000 by Richmond historian Elizabeth Cann Kambourian. She’s […]
Alternative plan pitched for Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom: No new ballpark
A group opposing a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark have proposed an alternate plan for Shockoe Bottom: no new ballpark, large slave-trade memorial. The three-page proposal from a group of activists and historians led by Phil Wilayto calls for the same level of development in the area — hotel, office space, […]
Big week for new Flying Squirrels ballpark
A week after Mayor Dwight Jones unveiled a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark plan for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League), the City Council will debate its merits. It’s an ambitious plan, calling for a new ballpark and flood control to Shockoe Bottom — over the objections of activists calling for a strong commemoration […]
Flying Squirrels lease: $1.7M annually; naming rights could lower than number
A proposed Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) new-ballpark lease payment of $1.7 million could be lowered with the sale of naming rights. The Richmond Economic Development Authority is taking the lead on the development of a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark, and the lease would be between the EDA and the Squirrels. The Squirrels […]
Squirrels ballpark plan includes hotel, apartments, grocery UPDATED!
A $200-million proposal for a Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark development will include a hotel, 750 apartment units and a Kroger store, under a plan to be unveiled by Mayor Dwight Jones today and already opposed by local activists. Also part of the plan: a heritage site to commemorate one of the […]
Shockoe Bottom plan for new Squirrels ballpark on agenda: Report
Despite the threats of protest and a lack of enthusiasm from fans, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones reportedly will unveil plans for a Shockoe Bottom ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) on Monday. There have been two competing visions for a new Richmond ballpark: a new facility built next to The Diamond, […]
Richmond puts off purchase of The Diamond — for now
A purchase of The Diamond by the city of Richmond from the Richmond Metropolitan Authority is on hold after the city council put off a final decision. From Richmond BizSense: The two ordinances that made up the proposal were scheduled to be heard last night, along with another to accept from the RMA a release […]
Activists: Ballpark not best use for Shockoe Bottom
Efforts to bring a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA: Eastern League) in Shockoe Bottom must be balanced with an awareness of the sad history of the slave trade in the area, according to activists opposing the project. Though there’s no proposal formally on the table, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones has been […]
Opposition to Shockoe Bottom ballpark intensifies
The very idea of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark in the city’s Shockoe Bottom district is causing protests today because of the site’s past as a slave-trading area. The coalition of activists and academics oppose putting a ballpark in an area that was once the second-most-busy area for slave trading […]
Richmond: No vote on ballpark location
The Richmond City Council made it official last night: Residents will not get to choose the location of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark. Council President Charles R. Samuels had proposed putting the location to voters in the form of a fall referendum. And while that initially was seen as a […]
Flying Squirrels: Fans don’t know what they are missing
A key selling point for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) in the team’s quest for a new ballpark: fans don’t know what they’re missing when it comes to upgrades. There is a certain sentiment among Richmond baseball fans that The Diamond is a perfectly adequate venue for pro baseball, so what’s the […]
Richmond committee: Don’t put ballpark location to vote
The decision where to build a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) should not be left to voters in a November referendum, according to a city committee recommendation. Though the recommendation from the Organizational Development Committee doesn’t technically kill the proposal, it does send a clear signal that the full council […]