Green City

[SWV]

Yeah, I don't understand how some people might think Green City or the Henrico Sports & Events Center is too far away. It's not like they're out in the sticks, they're both in heavily suburban areas with plenty of places to stay or eat and other things to do within a short driving distance.

I live out that way near 295/95 interchange. It takes me about 15 minutes to get downtown.

 

[AlienAiden]

I live out that way near 295/95 interchange. It takes me about 15 minutes to get downtown.

And I live in the West End. Takes me about the same to go to a VCU game.

 

[mrgeode]

Yeah, it is what it is. I go to away games and other venues that require driving. GW is an example. Lots to walk to but parking and other factors like DC traffic are a bummer. I went to Detroit once to the old Palace in Auburn Hills. Had to drive to find other activities before and after the NBA game. Green City is not really gonna be out in the boondocks. It is just north and east of RVA's northside. Brook Road is nearby. Hop on the highway and it takes minutes to be downtown. It is not like the Coliseum but if you wanted something downtown other than 6th street you needed to walk pretty good distances. It is not like the city had incredible offerings nearby.

Not pushing back on the last part, it just got me thinking - within a 10-12 minute walk back when we played at the Coliseum you had Cafe Rustika, Capital Ale House, Mama J's, Tarrant's and Max's (back when both were good), and Croaker's Spot. Of course it's an open question whether folks from out of town would know about those places, but they were there.

 

[AlienAiden]

Not pushing back on the last part, it just got me thinking - within a 10-12 minute walk back when we played at the Coliseum you had Cafe Rustika, Capitol Ale House, Mama J's, Tarrant's and Max's (back when both were good), and Croaker's Spot. Of course it's an open question whether folks from our of town would know about those places, but they were there.

Oh I agree. I used to walk from the new Penny Land Pub location. I was not bagging on it. I enjoyed having a venue downtown. Is what is is though.

 

[mrgeode]

Oh I agree. I used to walk from the new Penny Land Pub location. I was not bagging on it. I enjoyed having a venue downtown. Is what is is though.

Yeah, I almost mentioned them, too. And I think Kenn-Tico was still kicking back then. C'est la vie

 

[AlienAiden]

The area is coming around and in the future we will have.....

A brand new state of the art indoor arena (17k) at Green city

A brand new minor league baseball park

A mid-sized multi use indoor sports & event space (3k+) at VA Center Commons

A riverside music amphitheater

 

[VCU Heel]

The area is coming around and in the future we will have.....

A brand new state of the art indoor arena (17k) at Green city

A brand new minor league baseball park

A mid-sized multi use indoor sports & event space (3k+) at VA Center Commons

A riverside music amphitheater

An expansion of the VMFA.

A large indoor/outdoor tennis facility that the public will have access to.

And probably a wide variety of pickle ball courts spread out around town.

 

[Mr X]

The area is coming around and in the future we will have.....

A brand new state of the art indoor arena (17k) at Green city

A brand new minor league baseball park

A mid-sized multi use indoor sports & event space (3k+) at VA Center Commons

A riverside music amphitheater

Also a pretty large new ice hockey facility across from the old Cloverleaf Mall site that will host hockey tournaments.

 

[SWV]

Wow! You guys have all the info! Richmond is sprucing up!!!

 

[Mistachill]

I was specifically addressing the idea that they should get rid of toll fees because that was some kind of deterrent for people going downtown.

Got it. There are a lot of reason they need to get rid of that toll but I don't think it deters anybody from going anywhere. You just pick a non-toll route if you don't want to pay.

I will say this though about the EZ-Pass, I think it makes things too easy. I've probably spent hundreds of dollars in tolls I probably would not have spent if I had to dig for change or go in my wallet.

 

[Mistachill]

Yeah, I don't understand how some people might think Green City or the Henrico Sports & Events Center is too far away. It's not like they're out in the sticks, they're both in heavily suburban areas with plenty of places to stay or eat and other things to do within a short driving distance.

Back in the day most stadiums/arenas were in downtown areas. Then starting in the late 60s/early 70 a trend developed for building them in the suburbs. Over the past couple of decades the trend has come back to downtown stadiums/arenas for a reason, that's what people prefer (versus having to drive 10 miles for stuff) and that it's the best way to attract people and events.

I don't understand how people haven't observed the trend.

 

[Mercury]

Back in the day most stadiums/arenas were in downtown areas. Then starting in the late 60s/early 70 a trend developed for building them in the suburbs. Over the past couple of decades the trend has come back to downtown stadiums/arenas for a reason, that's what people prefer (versus having to drive 10 miles for stuff) and that it's the best way to attract people and events.

I don't understand how people haven't observed the trend.

The trend is irrelevant because the city is incapable of building an arena downtown. The options are have something that is nice but in the burbs or have nothing at all. The location, which is right off 95, will attract premier events which will attract people.

 

[AlienAiden]

Back in the day most stadiums/arenas were in downtown areas. Then starting in the late 60s/early 70 a trend developed for building them in the suburbs. Over the past couple of decades the trend has come back to downtown stadiums/arenas for a reason, that's what people prefer (versus having to drive 10 miles for stuff) and that it's the best way to attract people and events.

I don't understand how people haven't observed the trend.

I have noticed it. Unfortunately the city fumbled the ball since before Wilder was mayor. Oh well.

 

[AlienAiden]

The trend is irrelevant because the city is incapable of building an arena downtown. The options are have something that is nice but in the burbs or have nothing at all. The location, which is right off 95, will attract premier events which will attract people.

Interesting point about being right off 95. The Henrico county manager, sports tourism folks and BOS hammer that point home. It is a big selling point for out of town visitors. Might be easier to access for them than going into the city.

 

[BaNgMyPrOgRaM]

Is their still a toll on the nickle bridge?