Page Title
Shockoe Center Development and Alternative Visions for
Richmond's
Historic Downtown
SHOCKOE CENTER PROS, CONS, AND ALTERNATIVES
A.C.O.R.N. BOARD OF DIRECTORS' POSITION
The A.C.O.R.N. board has looked long and hard at the pros and cons of the latest proposal for a ballpark-- considering the claims made by developers and the many questions that have arisen. We join the community in questioning the following aspects of the Highwoods Properties' plans for Shockoe Center:
- If the bond projections fall short, will the city and state taxpayers end up saddled with the debt?
- What are Highwoods Properties' archaeological plans for the inevitable discovery of Richmond's buried history?
- Does this project truly meet all the challenges of frequent flooding in the Shockoe Valley?
- How does this project improve intermodal transportation, and, in particular, affect federal funding secured for use at Main Street Station?
- What is Highwoods Properties' succession plan for Shockoe Center? Has thought been given to making the stadium entity serve multiple purposes?
- Is not the overall Shockoe Center concept-- including the baseball stadium-- more compatible with the scale, massing and overall urban form of Boulevard Gateway, Highwoods Properties' other City project, on the Boulevard near the Diamond?
- How does Highwoods Properties propose to respond to, and prevent, if possible, the adverse impacts of Shockoe Center on the surrounding neighborhoods, including light, noise and traffic?
A.C.O.R.N. applauds Highwoods Properties for the following components in the Shockoe Center plans, including a number of elements recommended in the Downtown Master Plan:
- The creation of a non-profit foundation to fund the ongoing discovery, preservation and interpretation of the historic and cultural resources located in and around Shockoe Bottom, including, among others, the Richmond Slave Trail, Lumpkin's Jail and the African Burial Ground.
- The expansion of the City of Richmond's Old and Historic District in Shockoe Bottom to encompass a greater area.
- The limited demolition of historic structures in Shockoe Bottom and the planned preservation of other historic structures, such as the Seaboard Building and the last remaining depot.
- The promotion of two-way streets in Shockoe Bottom to facilitate access.
- The construction of compatible urban infill on vacant lots in Shockoe Bottom, especially along East Broad Street.
- The introduction of neighborhood-oriented uses and services, including a grocery store and gas station.
- The restoration of the train shed adjacent to historic Main Street Station.
- The re-opening of East Franklin Street as a pedestrian way between North 15th Street and Ambler Street, partially re-establishing a portion of the historic street grid.
- The installation and maintenance of streetscapes along the project's perimeter.
- The provision of support services, such as recycling, for Shockoe Bottom businesses and residents.
- The expansion of the 17th Street Farmers Market.
- The invitation to A.C.O.R.N. to take an active and meaningful role in directing and supervising the development and implementation of the Shockoe Center project as it moves forward.
Although Highwoods Properties' proposal is a vast improvement over similar plans presented several years ago,
A.C.O.R.N. believes that Shockoe Center, as presented, is not an appropriate project for the City of Richmond's most historic
and hallowed ground.
We look forward to continued civic discourse on this and other projects, and to working with the city in shaping appropriate development in Richmond's old neighborhoods.
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HIGHWOODS PROPERTIES RESPONSE
A.C.O.R.N. greatly appreciates the consideration of Highwoods Properties in responding to the questions raised regarding the development of Shockoe Bottom. To view Highwoods' response to the above statement, CLICK HERE.
SHOCKOE BOTTOM AS A HISTORIC DISTRICT
Richmond's terrible and fascinating history at the heart of the slave trade informs A.C.O.R.N.'s position on the proposed Shockoe Center Development. To access the historic nomination of this area to the National Register of Historic Places, please explore "The Slave Trade as a Commercial Enterprise in Richmond," and discover the richness of history Shockoe Bottom truly offers to Richmond.
SHOCKOE BOTTOM IN THE NEWS
A Sunday, April 12th op ed by George Nyfeler in the Richmond Times-Dispatch clearly expresses the importance of the history that should be the center of any development in Shockoe Bottom: READ IT HERE.
The proposal by Highwoods Properties for the development of Shockoe Bottom and North Boulevard has been in the news, in a variety of blogs, and on the minds of Richmonders as they weigh in with varying opinions. For articles featuring the proposed Shockoe Center development in the Richmond Times-Dispatch,CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE #2 / CLICK HERE #3 / CLICK HERE #4 / CLICK HERE #5 /
For the most recent article on plans for the development of Shockoe Center, "Conflicts Arise Over Shockoe Proposals," CLICK HERE. For other related articles CLICK HERE.
To browse the most recent article on the subject in Style Weekly magazine,
CLICK HERE. (For past articles, search "ballpark.") CLICK HERE for a supportive view of the ballpark, also published in Style Weekly, from the Richmond Ballpark Initiative.
CLICK HERE to read Pie in the Skybox on the Back Page of the 4/1/09 issue of Style
THE BLOGOSPHERE
Richmonders are talking: civic and neighborhood associations as well as bloggers and facebook groups weigh in on a daily basis. Click on the following links to visit neighborhood blogs and online groups, and see what some locals have to say about the Shockoe Center Plan.
Rosedale Civic Association (Northside)
Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association
I Support Baseball in Shockoe Bottom
Sign the petition to have it all. Let's go for development in Shockoe Bottom AND Baseball on the Boulevard!
C.O.R.D. SLAVE TRAIL VISION
Interested in seeing an alternative plan? To explore a collaborative vision for the development of Shockoe Bottom, created by Citizens Organized for Responsible Development (C.O.R.D.), check out their Shockoe Bottom plan HERE.