Echo Harbour gets proactive

The developers of Echo Harbour are hoping to clear the air in advance of an expected rezoning hearing this year with a new website.

The website features renderings of the proposed $150 million mixed-use project and a fact sheet detailing how the scope of the project has been changed to preserve the historic view from Libby Hill Park, which inspired the city’s name because of its similarity to the view from the London borough Richmond upon Thames.

Since the project was submitted to the city in March 2007, it has been the subject of opposition from a number of vocal Church Hill residents who say the project would block the iconic view of the river’s bend as well as others who have been advocating that the city buy the land and convert to a public park in accordance with the city’s downtown master plan.

The website also highlights many of the changes made to the project to address some of the public concerns such as a connection to the Virginia Capital Trail, public river access with dedicated parking, and paying for improvements to the nearby Great Shiplock Park

“There has been a lot of misinformation, half-truths, or zero truths out there,” said one of the developers, Mark Yates. “We want to make sure the public can see  what the facts truly are and what we are proposing and thought we should put it out there.”

Yates said they have lowered the height of the building by about a third and reduced the number of condo units from about 240 to just over 100. The property is currently zoned M2, which allows for all uses except residential, which the developers are seeking to change before going forward. Yates said they could proceed without the condos, but the proceeds from the condo sales are a key piece of paying down the project costs.

The planning commission meeting on the rezoning has yet to be scheduled, but Yates said they expect it to happen very soon.

For more, visit www.echoharbour.com