Yesterday evening a friend and I made it to Arcadia, a beautiful restaurant in Shockoe Bottom, a very historic part of Richmond Virginia in the vicinity of where the city was founded in the 18th century.
My friend parked his car next to this sign. Arcadia is just around the block from there.
Although we each were lucky enough to help ourselves to a small plate of delicious appetizers while there, our reason for being there differed from having a full meal. Our main purpose for being in a packed upstairs room was to participate in the first 2014 Community Conversations series spearheaded by The Valentine Richmond History Center.
Although I didn't grow up in Richmond Virginia, I've lived in the area continuously for almost 21 years. Many of the people in the room moved to Richmond after I did, and others were born here decades ago and saw the many changes that occurred over the years.
The main issue about last night was a plan supported by Venture Richmond to develop a portion of the Bottom into a Baseball Stadium. Fortunately, no votes were taken last night to determine the future of Shockoe Bottom. However, many voices and opinions were heard. It was enlightening for me to participate in a community discussion in which people living in the area expressed their own viewpoints. It was interesting to hear a variety of viewpoints rather than simply a sales pitch for having a new baseball stadium.
Needless to say, this stadium proposal is a very politically charged issue that is supposed to promote urban economic development in Richmond Virginia. The majority of area residents participating in a recent poll are against having the proposed Shockoe Bottom stadium.
However, there are always pros and cons to every land development issue. I think it's important for all of us to consider the various impact studies for any development and the cost factors. Something like a moving a baseball stadium is very expensive, and all factors affecting a major decision like this one need to be considered.
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