See letter below.
As Richmond officials considered locations for a new baseball stadium, they relied on different parking assumptions for Shockoe Bottom and the Boulevard, a discrepancy some skeptics believe has tipped the scales toward the Bottom by failing to consider the full range of possibilities for a new stadium on the Boulevard.Link
November 19, 2013
Dear Mr. Agelasto,
As you might expect, I am opposed to the Shockoe stadium plan.
I think debate about Shockoe Bottom diverts attend from the only thing that matters. By a wide margin, the people want baseball on the Boulevard. That should be the end of the discussion.
I disagree with the plan’s assertion that a stadium on the Boulevard is impractical. I think there is a portion of the Boulevard site the makes sense for a stadium.
Developers covet street frontage and visibility. The Boulevard site has extensive frontage on the Boulevard, Robin Hood Road and Hermitage Road. But the southwest corner of the site is isolated. On the west, the Boulevard is elevated as it crosses above the railroad. On the south, the site abuts the railroad. And on the east it is the greatest distance to Hermitage Road. The southwest corner is the least desirable portion of the site for commercial development.
A stadium fits very comfortably in the southwest corner. (And is properly oriented east.) One or two parking decks easily could be positioned to serve both the stadium and the commercial uses. The peak parking demand at shopping malls is during Christmas. There would be little demand from the stadium at that time. Shared parking could be an advantage for both.
Headline: “The people want their stadium on the Boulevard and it fits there.”
I have attached an illustration. (The darker gray area is the VCU parcel.)
Thank you,
C. Wayne Taylor
