Ordinance 2007-321 (PDF) which seeks to “declare a public necessity to acquire the Lehigh property, along the riverfront near the old Annabel Lee dock“, towards using the land as public greenspace and also as part of the Virginia Capital Trail, comes before City Council on Monday, May 12. [via]

The agenda for the April 28th City Council meeting has a number of rezoning requests and other items relevant to Shockoe, Manchester, and areas along the canal.

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Style Weekly’s Main Street Station Bus Plan Riles Up Bottom Merchants has the details about GRTC’s plans to put the central transfer station in the unused warehouse space behind Main Street Station. GRTC sees this city-owned property as central and efficient; some local business owners have concerns.

The regularly scheduled 6th District Town Meeting will be today, Saturday April 12, from noon to 1PM at the Bank of America building (12th & Main Streets) 18th Floor. This event repeats every month on the second Saturday. For more information, call (804) 646-7964 or (804) 646-5348.

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In a conversation with Richard Souter, vice president of the WVS Companies, the Rocketts Landing Captain’s Blog gives a short and neutral overview development issues with Lehigh Cement, the Capital Trail, Echo Harbor, and the proposed public marina at Intermediate Terminal.

The third of the recently announced neighborhood-level Downtown Plan meetings is scheduled for Thursday for Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Tobacco Row. The meeting will be held at Main Street Station from 6-8PM.

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Richmond City Council President and 2nd District Representative William J. Pantele has reportedly received a $1,000 campaign donation from developer of the proposed Echo Harbour project, U.S. Property Development Co. The RTD reports that Pantele “is a longtime family friend of George T. Ross, who is contract developer for the Echo Harbour project”. The proposed development is located in the 7th District. [via]

The current draft of the Downtown Plan will be up for a public hearing at 6:30PM Tuesday in City Council Chambers at City Hall. The plan has seen very positive public support so far, with some developers expressing concern about the plan’s vision for some riverfront parcels. The plan covers Manchester and “the Broad Street corridor, including the Jackson Ward and Carver neighborhoods; VCU and adjoining neighborhoods, including Oregon Hill, Gamble’s Hill and Monroe Ward; City Center, which incorporates the central office district, VCU Medical Center, Virginia Biotechnology Research Park and the State Capitol; the James River, which has become a focal point of preservation and development; and Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom”. [via]

In an email to City Council urging them to support the Mayor’s plan for a public marina on the land slated for the Echo Harbor development, James Ukrop wrote:

“As you consider your decisions about to be made on the riverfront . . . please balance the long-term benefit to our city vs. the short-term gains. [...] By investing in the marina and park site, you will not only create more public access to the river, you will also not lose the magnificent view of the river from Libby Hill (one of our city’s most valuable assets).”

[via]

In today’s Doubts flow along river, Michael Martz of the RTD looks at some of the issues and confusion around development along the riverfront, including the location of the proposed marina, the potential costs of the city’s plans, the need for public access along the riverfront, and acquiring the land for that portion of the Capital Trail. Urban Richmond~ looks at the potentially competing plans and asks “Why not build them all?”:

There’s no reason that waterfront condos necessarily preclude parks, marinas, and public access to the river when planned and built well.

There is apparently some kind of election on Tuesday… Henry Marsh, the incumbent Democrat, is being challenged by the Independent candidate Robert Owens of Chester for his Senate of Virginia 16th District seat. Democrat Dwight C. Jones is running unopposed for the House Of Delegates 70th District seat.

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