GRTC Bus Barn Update
Thanks to Peter over at 10 S. Boulevard for this piece:
Mayor Jones expressed interest to GRTC officials today to purchase the operations facility at the intersection of West Cary St and Davis. According to a report from the Times-Dispatch:
The Fan-area property, almost 7 acres along West Cary Street between Robinson Street and Stafford Avenue, has been viewed as a prime development site for a mixture of residences, businesses and offices ever since GRTC announced more than two years ago its plan to move.
…[Press Secretary Tammy Hawley] emphasized that the city would be seeking private development of the property. She also said the city believes it should play an active role in the process because the site has significant potential.
“The mayor has said he wants the city to grow by design, not by default,” she said.
Get more details on the future of the West Cary Street corridor from the Times-Dispatch.
I’m hearing a lot of speculation flying around. Maybe someone out there has some answers:
Are we talking about an extension of Carytown, east of the Boulevard? High prices and high turnover is not something to emulate. Developers also need to be sure that new storefronts don’t sit empty like the retail space at Cary and Meadow. How about a grocery store?
I for one would be excited about more walkable retail, but what is the effect of decades of diesel fuel on soil and zoning? I’m curious what kinds of concerns other Byrd Parkers might have?
Here’s what I know about the GRTC spot: Mayor Jones said he wants the bus depot to be developed by the RRHA. The current chair of the RRHA, Elliot Harrigan, clearly cares about the progressive development of this city. See these articles on his work already:
http://nearwestendnews.net/2009/07/22/urban-greening-in-richmond-where-do-we-go-next/
http://floricane.typepad.com/buttermilk/2009/07/the-downtown-plan-conversation-returns-to-the-river.html
I would love to see a Charrette for the property. Here are some links on Charrette if you’re unfamiliar with the term:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charrette
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/stlawrence_west.htm
http://www.charrettecenter.net/
Email Marty Jewell and tell him this is what you want!
As former City employee and a planner we need to do it right but that does not involve the City taking title to the land or controllings its development. Can we say 6th Street, the Armory, the Diamond, Main Street Station…and on and on!!
A grocery store…VCU could not support a small Ukrops and we have a small store on Idlewood. This is Richmond City what is one hoping for a new Food Lion. The number would never support a 3rd store in the area.
I personally would love to see the two large barns kept and joined together for a Target store. The mix of clothing and other items (and being the only store north of the river between Willow Lawn and White Oak) with the mix of residents around would be a great use.
Why would any of you want another chain!!!!!!!! this city is flooded with them. Not to mention the traffic that would come to our area. What about a market? more like the center of Charleston, SC, with a mixture of permanent and transient stalls.