GRTC gets $2.3 million grant

Senator Jim Webb announced today a $2.3 million boost to Richmond’s public transportation system. Read more

Study says city support needed for ballpark

After reviewing the results of a $100,000 economic feasibility study, Mayor Dwight Jones still isn’t quite ready to greenlight a $318 million mixed-use project in Shockoe Bottom. Read more

Support for public transit goes viral

“We were warned.”

A new viral marketing campaign to promote public transportation funding begins with the above phrase printed on a small white sign.

The sign is held by a young boy wearing a dust mask.

The next scene is of a teenage girl, in the middle of a busy city street holding a sign that reads: “Higher exposure to traffic emissions have been linked to breast cancer.”

And so goes the 60-second ad that features shot after shot of demographically diverse individuals silently holding signs that focus on the environmental and financial benefits of public transportation.

The ad was produced as a final project by members of the 2009 class of Leadership Metro Richmond, a community service organization. The group offers an annual leadership program geared to professionals; a group of five participants from this year’s class chose public transportation support as a vital aspect for Richmond’s future.

Debbie Schebe, director of strategic alliances for Creative in Ashland, was one of the five members who developed the ad.

“If there is ever a vote for additional funding we want them to be aware of the issues,” Schebe said, “whether they are environmental, or if it affects the availability of workforce, or new students getting to a job opportunity.”

The video directs viewers to visit a website set up by the group, www.transittalk.com

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The ads were produced with the GRTC Transit System and WWBT Channel 12. The ads will air on Channel 12, but Schebe said the video will be promoted on social networking sites such as Facebook and Digg. In addition, Schebe said they are starting an e-mail chain as well. Robert Angle, Marleen Durfee, Merlyn Frederick, and Michael Jackson are the other four members of the leadership class responsible for the campaign.

“We want people to view the video and make it a conversation around the dinner table and the water cooler,” Schebe said, “We want people to understand why it is important to the economic vitality of the region.”

The video targets the business community with two signs shown back-to-back. One reads: “There are 32,474 employers in the Richmond area,” the next one reads: “25,640 of which are NOT on the bus line.”

Another sign, held by a waiter, claims that for every $1 invested in public transportation $6 is generated in local economic activity.

The group will also run ads in the local print media.

Op/Ed The road ahead for Shockoe Bottom

Shockoe Bottom has come a long way since the devastating aftermath of Tropical Depression Gaston in 2004. Crime is at all time lows. We have many new restaurants that complement the traditional charm of the neighborhood, and we remain the fastest growing census tract in the city. Read more

Q&A: GRTC chief on a mission

When John M. Lewis Jr. took over as chief executive of the Greater Richmond Transit Company in 2005, he met with the board of directors to develop a strategic plan for the bus system. An 18-month study discovered a great deal of inefficiency.

Part of the plan to improve the system is renovating the train shed behind Main Street Station to be the bus system’s central transfer station. Another component is to create a Bus Rapid Transit system along Broad Street with a dedicated bus lane and station stops. The third piece is a facility to replace the garage and headquarters at Cary and Robinson streets in the Fan. The plan is to be implemented within the next six years. Read more

Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Round Up for 1.23.08

Richmond International Raceway purchased a 35,300 square foot building at 4001 Carolina Ave. in Henrico for $1 million. Robert L Borum and Associates LLC purchased a 9,600 square foot flex-space building at 8191 Staples Mill Road in Henrico County from Rastek Construction and Development Corp. for $1 million. Click on the story link for more deals.

Richmond International Raceway purchased a 35,300 square foot industrial building at 4001 Carolina Ave. in Henrico from Liberty Property Trust for $1 million. RIR plans to occupy the building. Read more