BizSense Slideshows are back, this time with 10 Richmond properties that have lots of potential. From two industrial plots on the edge of the Fan to an art deco gem on the Southside, BizSense commercial real estate reporter Al Harris found the most promising plots and buildings in the region. Proposals have come and gone on most of them, but they remain abandoned or underutilized.
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Adams Camera Shop on Broad West of the Boulevard up for bid for someone who can appreciate the unique Moor revival gem.
Cloverleaf Mall as a Zombie Survival Shelter…I think you have something there. We must always be prepared for a zombie attack.
How about that parking lot downtown between 8th and 9th street, between the Dominion building and the James Center? Seems it could be put to a lot better use than a parking lot…maybe mixed use high-rise, condo apartments with a couple PF changs and some nightlife.
Good slideshow. I was wondering what was up with some of these previously announced projects. From the sound of it, Richmond has several landmark properties that may become available soon since the owners owe so much in back taxes.
Mayo Island has three distinct impediments to development – no sewer connection, it is in the flood plain, and since it is between the south and north flood walls, access to it would be shut off completely if the river rose to flood stages.
Great piece. I applaud your wit.
Nice slideshow. Perhaps site #11 could be the old Reynolds Metals Southside location in Manchester….would love to see a new riverfront ballpark there complete with city views…..a man can dream….
Irony… Will you ever learn that your comments are consistantly and totally irrelevant?
The way the Federal gov’t operates these days I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a multi-million dollar tax credit available for turning distressed retail into zombie survival shelters.
Now that GRTC has a lot of money from the sale of their old location, what you say they pay back the many dollars spent on keeping them in business when they constantly operated at a loss. Or would fiscal responsibillity be asking too much? Although a gem, the potential for flooding is and will always be in the back of any project placed on Mayo Island, much like Galveston, Texas it is just a matter of time that the big one will come again. Hobo Island does seem like a good idea being as Monroe Park is being redone and the homeless with their signs at ever port location to our city can stand on Mayo Island and haunt the morning and evening traffic. They are sort of like Walmart greeters. And , if the big flood comes you can then see them in Hopewell…..
Baseball: Tate Field, Mayo Island, S. end of 14th St., Richmond ‘Colts’ of Piedmont League.
The Richmond Colts of the Piedmont League played there in the 1940′s. Games were not just rained out, they would be cancelled because the ball park would flood from the James River. Before anyone suggest putting a stadium on this site, they should read books on the history of baseball in Richmond.
Oh look everyone Bill’s back!
Bill, as long as you’re attacking my comments I will gladly spar with what is obviously a greater intelligence than my own, as long as you’re leaving everyone else alone.
Good Day Sir
Irony, what in world did you do to Bill that causes him to go after you like that? It looks to me like he didn’t even get the joke about Cloverleaf Mall and zombies. I hope he gets it out of his system soon, it’s becoming a bit dated now.
@SteveS – While I am very much aware of Bill’s issues with myself, I will let him answer that question. His problem with me is his problem and his alone to deal with.
@ Carrington
1 Virginia’s roads are subsidized to the tune of 2.6 BILLION dollars this year alone in VDOT’s 2010 budget through debt service, maintenance and new projects. Mass transit has substantially less than 1% of that receiving only 18 million state dollars (also taking a $680,000 reduction in 2011). Yet there are people in every community, I would imagine, that can’t drive to a job or school or to church or to visit a friend but can be productive citizens with alternatives. The ability for all individuals to succeed is predicated by a variety of transportation. There are numerous other arguments for the efficiencies of mass transit as well. Disclaimer, i do not have the #’s for federal or local subsidy for transportation.
2 The concept of getting rid of any member of our community by placing them on an island in the flood plain as an alternative to development is morally repugnant (“see you in Hopewell”???). While I do not like the flourishing of panhandlers on our streets, the answer is simple. They only do it because people give them money. The number of services available within our city and the surrounding counties to offer housing, medicine and nutrition are abundant and enough to serve what is apparently a shrinking problem as witnessed by this weeks article in Style Weekly. A 12 month reduction from 906 to 748 homeless is pretty impressive given the stresses of the current economy. I think any driver giving money to a panhandler should be ticketed for public nuisance. Give where it counts, there are plenty of avenues to help those in real need.
It is compelling that the first issue deals with billions and the second with singles…..yet they are so related to the comfort of our community. I am interested to see how future developers of each of the “big ten” sites responds to these and other value issues for our future.