I would be highly suspect of any rumored involvement by VCU for several reasons. First, GRTC already sold the property to RRHA, and the next step for RRHA is to put out an RFP (request for proposal) for developers to show their plans for the area. Any sale by RRHA will be publicized, since they are quasi-public. The sale by RRHA has to comply with their mission statement, which says their goal is to provide affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods. Selling a property to VCU would never be in RRHA’s interest, unless it involved housing similar to what is found in RAMZ Hall. RAMZ Hall is owned by a private developer and leased to VCU for housing 170 students (Note: this way the city still collects property tax from the building). VCU would only be interested in rental units, which isn’t at all what RRHA and The City have mentioned–They want some affordable housing (as in priced around $250,000 for a townhouse/rowhouse, not section 8). As for the idea VCU would create their own transit system and house it there, that would go completely against RRHA’s mission, it wouldn’t fit into the largely residential area, and the property is far too expensive for anything other than residential and retail.

When I called and inquried, the GRTC operator told me that they had completely moved operations from that area (Cary and Robinson, half a block from recycles) to Southside, and that VCU had purchased the property. I even followed up with a, “VCU? Really?” and it was confirmed that I heard correctly…

I was frankly surprised that VCU would have any interest in that property, but if I had to guess (and THIS is the only speculation out of this whole thing), the student body / SGA has been attempting to get a solid VCU transportation throughout campus and the fan going – they already have a number of lines with GRTC (84, 86, 87, etc..) and offer students a free transit pass via GRTC. Those students are able to use it on all lines except Petersburg and Fredericksburg. VCU could be interested in creating their own campus transit system, and doing away with the GRTC “free-ride” cards. Again, this is the only speculation on my part, but I was told, and re-confirmed, by a GRTC operator, that VCU has purchased the property.

http://www.roanoke.com/entertainment/insideout/eat/wb/12881

However, I think people also think of a Walmart or a Target in that location because they don’t like driving outside the city to get the discounted staple items that those stores have to offer. Extending Carytown’s boutiques further East wouldn’t serve the needs of most people in the surrounding area (it can hardly keeps it’s shops open as it is).

Although I do think a big box store should be out of the question (eye sore to say the least), I hope the city finds a way to have the space serve the everyday needs of people who live in the city. Rec centers have been mentioned. Mixed use. Anything but more empty storefronts like we see to the east and west of the old bus barn space.