24 Responses to “public hearing for downtown master plan TONIGHT”

1. posted by Arthur J. Gilbert at May 8, 2009 9:00 pm :
   

   I believe if the towers where built sooner then it would bring more people to VA Thus bringing the economy back up to par a bit quicker. I would also recommend that condos, bars, clubs, arcades, built in Skyscrapers to save ground territory lining the river front on the n side and s side for a large increase in scenery. I would also recommend an Amusement Park and or maybe a water park for the Richmond area to attract people from all areas wich would boost the economy quite rapidly and not to mention the distance in travel for Virginians as well. I mean, lets face it there is not really anything fun to do or go to these days in the Richmond Area. it is like this first the face and beauty of Richmond and then inside behind the face fun, excitement, scenery, interrests etc all good for the economy and peole from all around the world.. Just some additional ideas I think and believe VA should consider indeed.

   Sincerely Arthur Gilbert PS Send me feedback to let me know what you think.

2. posted by Arthur J. Gilbert at May 8, 2009 9:16 pm :
   

   I also think that the south side of Richmond should be renovated, remodled, and places, houses, buildings etc that are falling appart and or have fallen appart already should be demolished and replaced with community playgrounds, stores, malls, bars & lounges, Clubs, Shopping Centers, and beautiful apts, condos, food stores and shops filling the all floors in high rise skyscrapers towering the southside river front, giving tennants, tourists and many others from all around to experiance the beauty and excitement of Richmond City in VA. I would concider an indoor outdoor Amptheater to attract people. Allot of Landscaping is needed wrather bad in the southside as well as the whole city. I strongly recommend for all the roads in Richmond City ingeneral and for the main roads to be wider for the increased traffic the city is experiancing this very day. An increace in police patrole n and s of the city should be a high priority as well.

   Hope to see some feed back and hope that some or most ideas where helpful.

   Sincerely Arthur Gilbert

3. posted by Paul_h at May 9, 2009 9:17 am :
   

   Arthur,

   You’ve come to the wrong place for good ideas. Be prepared.

4. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 12, 2009 8:16 am :
   

   Amen Paul_h This is Richmond we don’t do that here. But then again it is funny how most people know what is best for Richmond but rarely do they live in theplace they want to change

5. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 12, 2009 8:43 am :
   

   Arthur,
   To be honest the ideas you have would probably work for most cities but Richmond has other considerations to consider. The Towers you want to build will ruin the already existing Condo Market which has worked hard to maintain the High prices they charge. There is a finite amount of people who can afford to live in the places already set up and you want to build more? You also will block the view of several neighborhoods which were build because of the view.Is it fair to them? Is it fair to Overdevelop around the James River especially in an area that is prone to flood? These are some of the issues most Developers ignore when they promise these places. Something to consider when you try to play SimCity in a Real established city. Richmond is not prone to radical change and what you propose would go against the way Richmond Runs.
   But as Paul_h says they are good Ideas.

6. posted by Paul_h at May 12, 2009 11:00 am :
   

   I meant RDN. There’s more crying and complaining here that anyplace I know. There are plenty of good ideas, the ballpark and Centerstage that are going to transform this town in spite of the cynics. The river is far from overdeveloped. Most of it already is parkland and the river just wasn’t made for those on the highest ground and I live in exactly the place I want to change ever since I moved to Richmond.

7. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 12, 2009 1:11 pm :
   

   Paul_h try going to Miami South Beach or most of the Coast line and all you see is condos and they pretty much cover most of the Beach line which is good for those who own the condos but not anyone else. Now with Echo park they want to build in an area that is already known to flood and they have ignored that fact in every drawing they pump out. I tend to be more practical and Centerstage is nice but the Ballpark not so much. Developers sell what ever they think they can make a buck and rarely if ever consider that they may have the wrong location for a project. Money over Common Sense and then they expect to be saved when things go south.
   I live in a place where I see business fail some every 6 months because they did not know what they were doing and demanded people conform to their standards to be let in. The really successful companies grew by seeing what the people wanted and catering to the culture. Just because people “build it” does not mean it will succeed.
   Richmond is not on the verge of desolation in fact it is doing quite well considering the number of people we have looking for jobs but building High End Condos only provides jobs for those who build it and none for those you expect to move in them.

8. posted by Scott Burger at May 12, 2009 3:15 pm :
   

   Sadly, there is an ongoing scam going on where gov’t money is taking the place of private risk 9 (i.e. market)- we see this locally in Center Stage, in Broad Street CDA, in Echo Harbor plans, in Shockoe stadium proposal, and in First Market TARP. Its not sustainable, and its not going to end well.

9. posted by paul_h at May 12, 2009 3:16 pm :
   

   Richmond is not on the verge of desolation

   Here we agree. I see a bright future for our city. People are moving back, people want to come downtown and they want to feel good about the city they live in or around. We are finally putting on place things in place for them to come to.

   High end condo people eat in restaurants, buy cloths, furniture and art. They shop in gourmet groceries, start businesses and pay taxes.

10. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 12, 2009 8:59 pm :
    

    And as I have said in past many want to put the Cart before the horse and the fact that there is not enough people who can afford to live in this Over saturated High End Condo market. This bothers me because the Current Market will become a secondary market that will have a harder time surviving because we still only have so many people who can afford this market the lack of sales on 19th Street and other Condos not selling are proof that there are a finite number of people willing to pay what they ask. I would prefer to find a way to create jobs that people can afford to live in the places that are empty and what ever is built later but until that point it is wasting resources and space. Pretty Pictures are just promises that may not deliver when they finish. I mean Tobacco row prices down to under 800? that is what you will see. The Market will ripple with more High End Alternatives without people to fill spots that are empty.

11. posted by paul_h at May 13, 2009 7:54 am :
    

    The market will take care of itself. Cheaper condos means more affordable housing. I always wanted to live in Tobacco Row.

12. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 13, 2009 10:54 am :
    

    Funny they always say that about the Market right when it goes completely south

13. posted by Scott Burger at May 13, 2009 4:03 pm :
    

    “I always wanted to live in Tobacco Row.”

    And I always wanted refurbished public school buildings. Its not funny how Richmond is always distracted by white elephants like stadium debates.

14. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 13, 2009 7:00 pm :
    

    They are so used to seeing the pink ones that they get numbed to the experience

15. posted by Paul_h at May 14, 2009 2:57 pm :
    

    I thought we were talking about condos and housing prices.

    SBD, the market did go south and housing prices are going down. Now is a good time to buy.

    Scott, I don’t want to live on Tobacco Row. It was a response to SBD about low rents. I’m happy where I am in my high rent apartment downtown.

16. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 14, 2009 3:28 pm :
    

    The whole market is artifically driven and even with the prices going down slightly they are way overcharging all over here. They think we are north enough to scalp people and they take full advantage. That is why 19th street has so many openings. Apartment wise we have more places available than ever before. Railroad Y has tons of openings, Ravensloft, The Tobacco warehouse and they all have vacancies and when the Cold Storage place opens that place will probably never reach full capacity and they will be starting rent at $875.00

    In Orlando Florida $875.00 a month can get you a 4 bedroom 2 baths and a screened in pool.
    and that is without condo fees that they add as well.

    Most of these places are either empty or under rented because people are aware they are being charged way too much for location and an artifical pricing structure that they don’t have to deal with.

    Paul_h if you think 289,000 is not to much then they have condos at that rate that are still on the market. Just remember you have Condo Fees with that and those places don’t tend to have pools or Work out places.

    Personally I am waiting for my lease to finish where I am at and I plan to go buy a house at a reasonable price and leave you all to your soon to be Really overenflated section of town. Cause the prices keep going up but the quality rarely does.

17. posted by shockoe at May 14, 2009 3:34 pm :
    

    Yes, but that’s Orlando. A free apartment would not interest me.

    Ick.

18. posted by Paul_h at May 14, 2009 3:39 pm :
    

    It’s too much for me. I’m not buying it. If no one does the price will come down. Good luck with your house hunt and come back and see a game in a couple years.

19. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 14, 2009 9:32 pm :
    

    Orlando is also a larger city It has several theme parks nearby it is the same distance from the beach as Richmond and has a nightlife that puts here to shame and yet they are aware that they can’t charge what Richmond charges and they have more to offer. so we are paying larger amounts of money for what? I am not saying move to Orlando I am saying that why should we reward greedy people? I may have found my home and right now and if I buy my morgage payment will still be 300 cheaper than my current rent.
    Paul_H the thing is you represent most of the people who live around here and yet they will not reduce the price because there are others willing to spend money because they either have no clue on money matters or their parents did not like the dorms either way they keep Tobacco Row and other Condo places in business and that is a finite number which is not going to increase because people like you refuse pay these greedy prices. The deal is they will try to lure you in and expect you to pay more later on. The Condos fees are necessary for future problems but 300 extra a month? and you don’t get anything extra for it? If we were Chicago,New York or someplace where we have a giant influx of people who needed living space things would be different but we are Richmond and they don’t pay people enough to have money for a Condo/Apartment around here and be able to eat let alone enjoy a Ballgame.

20. posted by paul_h at May 15, 2009 7:43 am :
    

    SBD,

    You can’t have it both ways. Either people will pay the condo/rent prices or they won’t. If they don’t sell or rent, prices will come down and if they do sell/rent they won’t. You are arguing both sides of the fence.

21. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 15, 2009 2:09 pm :
    

    That is the rub though there are people not willing to Rent or Own at these rates there will always be people willing to pay it but there is a finite number of willing Suckers. They keep charging the higher rates even if no one is renting. That is pretty much how things work

22. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 15, 2009 2:11 pm :
    

    You must not check prices from time to time and I have they keep the lower prices quiet or they love to give you the lower price and raise your rates.

23. posted by Stuart at May 15, 2009 2:19 pm :
    

    If I could share my observations, I bought a condo in a new building in the Ward last September. So far the developer has only sold 4 of 12 units in the building. But I don’t believe they plan to lower the selling price, instead they are renting the units until someone buys.

    They have lowered the selling price about 2% since last August, but I think that is based on the City tax assessment, not market conditions.

    Not sure exactly what your argument is about above, but my feeling is that condo prices will not be coming down. I also don’t believe they are inflated, but SBD has a point about the cost of HOA fees tacked on to your mortgage. Expensive!

24. posted by ShockoeBottomDweller at May 16, 2009 10:57 am :
    

    Stuart my Argument is that they have no plans in lowering Prices on Condos or Apartments. But I do think overall price has been manipulated and purposely kept artificially high and they have barely enough people willing to pay these prices at this time for them to not lower the price. But what they don’t understand is that they have a finite number of people who will be able to afford these places and building more is just not going to help.

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