Gee steps down from Massey board

Ohio State University president E. Gordon Gee has stepped down from his post on the Massey Energy board after nine years. Gee was re-elected at the company's shareholder's meeting held at the Jefferson Hotel on May 19. In a letter to CEO Don Blankenship, Gee said he wanted to focus on his role at the university, where he is the highest paid university president in the nation. Prior to the shareholders meeting, pressure mounted from environemtnal groups for Gee to step down. An article from the Associated Press provides a little more context: Critics said Gee's presence on the board was a show of support for some practices that have come under fire, such as mountaintop mining. Gee has been an influential voice in the national push for green energy jobs and has said he could do more good on the board at Massey ...

Outfitter opening at West Broad Village in November

A national outdoor equipment and clothing chain is opening a store at West Broad Village in November. Recreational Equipment, Inc., known as REI, announced this morning the 26,500-square-foot store will cover two floors and offer camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, and hiking gear. The location is the company’s first in Richmond; they have two in Northern Virginia. The company has stores in 28 states. The corporate headquarters are located in Kent, Wash. The West Broad Village location will feature a full service bike shop, gear rentals, and educational programs. The retailer also offers adventure travel packages. REI started as a cooperative for outdoor enthusiasts in 1938. The company still operates a customer co-op program that pays its members an annual refund on their purchases of about 10 percent, according to their website. Earlier this year $72.7 million was distributed to $3.7 million members. According to ...

Guest Opinion: Health care woes demand new thinking

Doctors, hospitals and insurance companies have been blamed for the huge rise in health care costs over the past decade, but we need to look closer to home for the real root causes of the high cost: ourselves.

New life at John Marshall Hotel?

There have been a handful of headlines over the last few years announcing a makeover for the iconic Hotel John Marshall in downtown Richmond, but so far a full-scale renovation has been elusive for developers. Undeterred by past hiccups, last week engineers filed permits last week to start renovations on the John Marshall Hotel downtown. The estimated cost of work included $16.52 million for heavy remodeling and another $2 million for a demolition permit.

The Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Round Up for 5.29.09

Taylor Long Properties reports a Purchase Agreement has been signed between Laburnum Partners LLC (Buyer) and Laburnum Station LLC (Seller) for 2 acres located at the Laburnum Station Development on Gay Avenue in Henrico County for the purpose of developing and constructing a hotel.  The purchase price is $775,000. GVA Advantis reports Dynamic Associates LLC purchased 1.5 acres in Chester from Centres BFS Northeast LLC for $800,000. Klondike Properties purchased the 1,250 square feet building at 11541 Nuckols Road for $208,725. EPIC Pharmacy Network, a buying group for pharmacists,  leased 7,000 square feet at 8703 Studley Road in Hanover. Usry, Inc.,a builder of mobile offices and modular buildings, leased 4.1 acres of land at 1207 School Street in Richmond. Porter Realty reports Terry’s Tire Town,a Mid-West based tire distributor, leased 90,000 square feet of at 4501 Carolina Avenue in Henrico. Cobb Technologies, a ...

NewsFeeds 5.29.09

D-Day Memorial at risk of closing (Roanoke Times) The National D-Day Memorial is running out of cash, William McIntosh, president of the memorial's foundation, said Thursday afternoon. The problem is so dire the World War II memorial honoring the largest land, air and sea operation in military history is at risk of closing -- and the news comes just days before a major celebration planned for D-Day's 65th anniversary. Charities feel the big chill (Inside Business) Free once you register: More than 50 percent of those responding to an online survey conducted between March 2 and March 16, reported a decrease in contributions from October 2008 to February 2009, compared to the same period a year earlier. Home mortgage delinquencies hit highest rate since 1972 (USA Today) Nearly 1 in 8 of the nation's home mortgage holders were behind in their payments in the first quarter — the ...

Food stamp applications skyrocket

More and more people each month are signing up for food stamp benefits. Richmond localities can expect an increase of more than 25 percent in monthly cases this year, according to projections based on data from the Virginia Department of Social Services.

LINC Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers

At its annual Lunch In The Garden held at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on May 14, 2009, LINC recognized two local lawyers, one local law firm and an individual who provided exceptional volunteer support to the organization over the past year. Catherine B. Strauss, President of the Board of Directors and John (Jack) M. Robb, III, Esquire, of LeClairRyan  made the presentations. The Krista Latshaw Pro Bono Service Award, named for a dedicated LINC volunteer attorney to honor her legacy of commitment, sacrifice and humility; was presented to Michael C. Cooper, Esquire, of Spotts Fain. When asked about his involvement with LINC, Mr. Cooper said “it’s rewarding to help people who truly need assistance, and I believe that such individuals should be concentrating on getting well rather than worrying. Even the briefest call to a LINC client is greeted with thanks and relief, and it’s clear that addressing even these minor legal matters make a significant, immediate different to their lives.” The 2009 Long Term Service Award was presented to Deborah M. Costello, Esquire, an attorney whose private law practice focuses on Domestic Relations, Wills and Collaborative Law. She began working with LINC over 10 years ago, being one of the first attorneys to take on a LINC case in her area of practice. She has drafted countless bedside wills for terminally ill patients, and volunteers their time to teach other LINC attorneys. She is also a past LINC Board Member. The 2009 Outstanding Law Firm Award was presented to Williams Mullen. In presenting the award, Jack Robb noted that “Williams Mullen’s service to LINC has been personal, timely and a virtually guaranteed referral. In particular, Andy Nea is Williams Mullen’s pro bono partner, and this award is well deserved thanks to Andy’s efforts and those of the WilliamsMullen attorneys working with him. Williams Mullen not only takes on a relatively large number of LINC cancer-patient referrals, but Andy has promised us that when we cannot find another attorney, Williams Mullen will find one. This guarantee ensures that any cancer patient coming to LINC needing an attorney will get one.” Jim Meath, Vice-Chair of Williams Mullen accepted the award on behalf of the firm. Marcia LaMaskin, a long time volunteer and event coordinator for LINC, was surprised to be recognized with the President’s Award for Volunteerism. Ms. LaMaskin was singled out for her extraordinary service to LINC over the course of several years, taking over event planning and working endless hours to produce both the annual luncheon and the organization’s fall event, It’s In the Bag. It was noted that Ms. LaMaskin also brought friends and colleagues who have become valued members of the LINC community.

Deal to buy baseball team is dead

The current deal for the Richmond Baseball Club to buy the Connecticut Defenders is going to expire, the investor's spokesman told the Norwich newspaper The Day: Peter Boisseau, spokesman for Richmond Baseball Club LC, which had a deal to purchase the Defenders for $15.4 million and move the team to Richmond, said this morning there is no way that deal could be saved by the Sunday deadline for closing the sale. “That deal is going to expire,” Boisseau said. “The deal could not be consummated.” Boisseau said financing and the current slow economy “played a role” in the business group's inability to complete the deal. The sons of Nolan Ryan are scouting Richmond today as the company co-founded by the pitching legend considering a stake in the team, but Boisseau told the paper even if they jump on board it is too ...

Bright spots for homebuilders

Homebuilders have been eerily silent the past few quarters, but for builders in Chesterfield County, the market is starting to turn around. The county issued 291 residential building permits in April, 7 percent fewer than the same month last year. That’s a dramatic improvement over January, when permitting activity was down 58 percent from the previous year. Slow construction continued in the county through February and March, with permitting activity off almost 40 percent from the year before.

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