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Is Church Hill ready for a youth hostel?
America’s largest network of international hostels is looking for a home in Richmond. The Richmond Hostelling Committee, under the umbrella of Hostelling International, is looking for the right place to host a Richmond Hostel, Gateway to the South.
Chair of the Richmond Hostel Committee Jennifer Wampler has sent in the following:
The Richmond Hostelling Committee is part of the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International, a tax-exempt 501c(3) which operates hostels in Washington, DC, Harpers Ferry and Baltimore MD.
The Board is working with local citizens to identify a suitable building in Richmond to add to the growing list of hostels throughout the United States.
The Youth Hostel movement was started in 1909 to encouraging knowledge and appreciation of the cultural values of people in towns and cities around the world, 2009 marks the 75th anniversary for the American Hostelling movement and is an opportunity to celebrate a tradition of “opening doors, opening minds.”
Is there vacant property in your neighborhood that you would like to see put to good use? If you can help us get donated space, we pledge to fill it up with interesting travelers from around the world who will support local restaurants and stores. The ideal building would have space for 20-25 bunkbeds with a shared kitchen and common room, and be located close to entertainment, public transportation and restaurants.
The Potomac Board has pledged matching funds for the project– we need a building!
Hostelling has provided many of us with opportunities for growth and friendship over the years. Some would say that hostelling has shaped who they are.
If you are interested in having a hostel in Richmond, join us at Pocahontas State Park for a special Hostelling Alumni Weekend on October 9 through 11. If you have friends from out of town who would also enjoy sharing their travel stories around a campfire, invite them to join us at the Swift Creek Group Camp. We have a set of rustic, private cabins that sleep four, and a central lodge with electricity and running water. Many of us will carpool to Brown’s Island to enjoy the Richmond Folk Festival during the day, or enjoy hiking and bicycling through the park. At only $25 per bed for the weekend, you can’t beat the price. Reserve your bed or your cabin today by calling Jennifer Wampler at 340-0927. Also call if you have ideas for a building, or are interested in serving on the Richmond Hostel Committee.
Working together, we can bring the world to Richmond. Learn more about Hostelling International at http://www.hihostels.com or http://www.hiusa.org/.
TAGGED: youth hostel
Actually, I think the bottom would be a great space- close to transportation: the main st. train station & the Broad St. bus corridor (& possible future transfer station). Close to bars & restaurants. Walking distance to CH, downtown, the canal walk.
And it would be a great use for some of those vacant buildings. And the late night party nature of some hostels wouldn’t be out of place there.
I think it’s a great idea. I’d love to see it. But if I could look into my crystal ball and anticipate the usual resistance on zoning…I think it might be a hard sell.
If you don’t mind staying w/ some kids who play loud metal quite frequently, then why not just stay on 28th street’s punk house? With at least 20 people who appear to come and go, I think it might be able to fit that many.
Now, 20-25 beds…probably not, but you could stay in the yard til 2ish or crash on some couches I’m sure. Of course, hygiene is optional. Staying w/ the punks and hanging out w/ M Street Hooligans nearby, you’d get a weekend full of entertainment!
I don’t know how much space they need but there’s a long vacant building on the corner of 21st and Franklin that would be good location wise
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Also, just down the street from there at Franklin & 22rd (base of Church Hill near the Market) is Garber’s Garage Doors – an active business. However, the building is huge and perhaps partially vacant (I’m not sure). At least from the outside it looks like there’s lots of empty space in there:
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@ #4, Brilliant idea about the one at 21st and Franklin! I’ve always wondered why it’s been sitting vacant and abandoned for so long. Does anyone know the history of the building?
What would prevent this from becoming a low rent pay by the night boarding house?
We already have enough illegal boarding houses.
2nd what Magneto said.
Gordie – Good question. I’ve forwarded this to Jennifer Wampler of the Richmond Hostel Committee to see what kind hostels do to maintain their intended environment.
Perhaps boarding houses would just be much more affordable than a bed in a hostel? I stayed in a youth hostel in New Orleans briefly back in the 1990s. I relocated to by-the-week hotel soon enough because the daily cost of the hostel was higher.
@6 and @7
I have a stayed at a number of hostels operated by Hostelling International and you are limited to the amount of time you stay there, I think it is usually about 2 weeks.
Some hostels I have stayed at require you to show ID and prove you live more than 50 to 100 miles away.
Also at about 25 dollars a day, that is still 750 bucks a month. So it is really cheaper to rent a one bed room apartment.
I think hosteling would be a nice step up for Richmond. Its part of economic development. Try to get them close to the East Coast Greenway (greenway.org) and Capital Trail.
I think this is a wonderful opportunity…I just don’t know who would donate a property….if it’s a run down property, they’ll have the costs of lots of construction…I’ll be happy to keep my eyes and ears open for someone…I’m in real estate, so glad to help the neighborhood!
JACKSON WARD!!! I have a little dream of opening a hostel in Jackson Ward with a little coffee shop in the basement.
Cornerstone of economic development?
come on, how much money can a hostel bring in? Its not like hippster college kids are known for their lavish spending habits
I think it would be great, either in the Bottom or way up here in Church Hill. The more exposure our neighborhood gets, the more it will be appreciated. Also, it’s ignorant to think a hostel set up by Hostelling International, a 100 year old organization, would deteriorate into a flop house. They have a website. Look ’em up.
I’m thinking Church Hill would be hostile to a hostel. (had to say it…)
In other parts of the world, hosteling is the way to travel for young people.
You would be surprised by how much economic impact a hostel can make. The ROI can be quite good.
http://www.israelnewsagency.com/telavivyouthhostelshotelsvacationsholidaysisraeljerusalemchristmasbeachestourismeconomygordoninn88251108.html
Also worth noting:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/12-hip-green-hostels-around-the-globe.php
If the bottom didn’t work for this, then would seem like a good use for a former commercial building along the Marshall Corridor, a former funeral home or a former church building. Something along a bus route to the train station.
I would like to see a youth hostel placed in Richmond. There are not any legitimate hostels in the state, so maybe having one here would spark more around the state.
Being able to stay in clean, safe hostels that didn’t cost an arm and a leg made it possible for me to see parts of the world I wouldn’t have been able to afford to visit otherwise. I love the idea of interested, engaged travelers from around the world, and our own country, coming to visit our neighborhood.
I helped run three hostels, and we were always very careful to check in recreational travelers. There were several ways to ensure this, as has been mentioned: limits on overnight stays, requiring HI membership cards, or restricting anyone who lived within a certain distance of the hostel. Sharing a room with other strangers is a risk that usually brings great rewards. At my last stay at the Washington DC hostel, there were women from Germany, Korea and New Zealand staying in my room. They were all very friendly and fun to talk to. But I depend on the hostel manager or whoever is checking in the guests to be sure that travelers and not transients are checked in.
When I lived in Ireland, I traveled around the country staying in hostels. It added so much to my travels. I think a neighborhood/downtown hostel is a wonderful cultural experience that would benefit both travelers and Richmond alike. All of the hostels I stayed at were very well-run and had rules that must be respected to stay there. I am certain that locals unfamiliar with hostels would find it a respectable business and be pleased with the exposure it would provide our city. I really hope this venture works and would be more than happy to support the cause. BRING IT ON!!
The Richmond Hostel Committee is awaiting the perfect opportunity to adaptivley re-use and historic building at an appropriate location. Please keep your eyes and ears open. A hostel will be a huge resource to the City and provide an alternative housing option to our visitors and guests. The hostel committee is in need of volunteers to help guide and assist in this venture.
I would LOVE to volunteer with the hostel committee. I’ve e-mailed them several times, but it seems as though they are not interested.