Just got back from 10 days in New Orleans. The photos above would be a great thing to have surrounding the Farmers Market and they look much like the streets of the “Big Easy”
The excellent public process for planning the future of the 17th Street Farmers Market contrasts with the absence of up-front public process and alternatives analysis for the Ballpark. Still, at the kickoff and initial planning for the Farmers Market the city made no mention of the Stadium proposal and how it might affect the public plaza areas, even though city staff were deep into planning the stadium behind closed doors. What’s been missing is a comprehensive look at how all the pieces would fit together including the Farmers Market, Train Shed proposal, plans for real rail service, bus rapid transit, the stadium, slave history, and the design and innovation district described in the Shockoe Bottom economic study. We need to take the time to get this right.
I don’t understand the hostility to good public process and evaluation of alternatives. The best businesses do their research and evaluate a range of alternatives before investing their money, why shouldn’t we do the same with our tax dollars?
Unfortunately, the city wants to keep the two projects seperate in the planning. They have tasked ENRICHMOND to hold these meetings and plan for the future as if the two projects (Farmers Market & Stadium ) are totally unrelated.
I would encourage all interested to attend and work with John Sydnor to make the best plans possible.
“The status quo and mediocrity” is exactly the definition of how things have been done in the past — no meaningful citizen input with the political power brokers making decisions behind closed doors.
No thanks, you can have the Old Richmond way of doing things but I agree with Mr. Schwartz’s more inclusive, citizen driven approach.
I’m asking this because I genuinely don’t know, not trying to pick an argument… when was the last time that anything around here was actually brought through to fruition in a way that was meaningfully improved by citizen comments (killing through filibuster doesn’t count as improving here)?
My sense is this rarely if ever happens but I don’t know if I’m missing something. I wonder if the city doesn’t feel like they get valuable input from the public when they go this route and/or doesn’t know how to use it when they do get constructive suggestions?
Alex, I’m guessing some would argue that the change in plans for the grocery store at 25th and Main to save the Superior Building would qualify for a meaningful improvement. Since then, I can’t think of anything.
Nolde Building…….Chimbo School (Lava Lofts)…….. the Superior Building……..Johannas Manor on Broad (just kidding!)…….25th St. Theatre apartments…..the McDonalds at 18th and Broad (or so the old timers tell me) were all projects (most requiring zoning variances) that were “improved” with citizen input.
@14 ray, good examples (except Johannas Manor on Broad).As someone who was here when the McDs went in, yes there was some negotiation, not as much as we might have liked but some. Same to #13 neighbor, the Superior bldg. and grocery store qualify.
Alex, there are sometimes good public discussions. Unfortunately, the stadium is not one of them from the city’s vantage point, they just want to shove it at us same as the training camp deal. That seems to be this administration’s way of doing things.
Jefferson Mews and the new apartments at the top of Cedar Street at Mosby (currently under construction). Both planed developments underwent significant changes thanks to citizen involvement with the developers and city planning office.
Just got back from 10 days in New Orleans. The photos above would be a great thing to have surrounding the Farmers Market and they look much like the streets of the “Big Easy”
The excellent public process for planning the future of the 17th Street Farmers Market contrasts with the absence of up-front public process and alternatives analysis for the Ballpark. Still, at the kickoff and initial planning for the Farmers Market the city made no mention of the Stadium proposal and how it might affect the public plaza areas, even though city staff were deep into planning the stadium behind closed doors. What’s been missing is a comprehensive look at how all the pieces would fit together including the Farmers Market, Train Shed proposal, plans for real rail service, bus rapid transit, the stadium, slave history, and the design and innovation district described in the Shockoe Bottom economic study. We need to take the time to get this right.
The only thing “excellenct public process” does is kill feasible projects.
Meanwhile all the business owners on 17th St are in limbo for the next 3 years minimum…
That’s right, Next Friend, screw the public.
The politicians and their campaign contributors know it all…
I don’t understand the hostility to good public process and evaluation of alternatives. The best businesses do their research and evaluate a range of alternatives before investing their money, why shouldn’t we do the same with our tax dollars?
Hi Stewart- No Hostility- You just have fun hanging out at Club Aqua while the alternatives are evaluated.
Pierce, you need to run for mayor. 😉
Prove that process is not a torture device on behalf of status quo and mediocrity. You can’t. Maybe one day, but not now.
Unfortunately, the city wants to keep the two projects seperate in the planning. They have tasked ENRICHMOND to hold these meetings and plan for the future as if the two projects (Farmers Market & Stadium ) are totally unrelated.
I would encourage all interested to attend and work with John Sydnor to make the best plans possible.
“The status quo and mediocrity” is exactly the definition of how things have been done in the past — no meaningful citizen input with the political power brokers making decisions behind closed doors.
No thanks, you can have the Old Richmond way of doing things but I agree with Mr. Schwartz’s more inclusive, citizen driven approach.
I’m asking this because I genuinely don’t know, not trying to pick an argument… when was the last time that anything around here was actually brought through to fruition in a way that was meaningfully improved by citizen comments (killing through filibuster doesn’t count as improving here)?
My sense is this rarely if ever happens but I don’t know if I’m missing something. I wonder if the city doesn’t feel like they get valuable input from the public when they go this route and/or doesn’t know how to use it when they do get constructive suggestions?
Alex, I’m guessing some would argue that the change in plans for the grocery store at 25th and Main to save the Superior Building would qualify for a meaningful improvement. Since then, I can’t think of anything.
Nolde Building…….Chimbo School (Lava Lofts)…….. the Superior Building……..Johannas Manor on Broad (just kidding!)…….25th St. Theatre apartments…..the McDonalds at 18th and Broad (or so the old timers tell me) were all projects (most requiring zoning variances) that were “improved” with citizen input.
@14 ray, good examples (except Johannas Manor on Broad).As someone who was here when the McDs went in, yes there was some negotiation, not as much as we might have liked but some. Same to #13 neighbor, the Superior bldg. and grocery store qualify.
Alex, there are sometimes good public discussions. Unfortunately, the stadium is not one of them from the city’s vantage point, they just want to shove it at us same as the training camp deal. That seems to be this administration’s way of doing things.
Jefferson Mews and the new apartments at the top of Cedar Street at Mosby (currently under construction). Both planed developments underwent significant changes thanks to citizen involvement with the developers and city planning office.
City unveils plans for revamped 17th Street Farmers Market site
http://www.timesdispatch.com/local/city-of-richmond/city-unveils-plans-for-revamped-th-street-farmers-market-site/article_87359ee6-e0f5-5c23-b554-11563e0cc35c.html