Being only a outer wall shell, it would take deep pockets to do anything with it other than tearing it all down and starting from scratch on that property. Unfortunate and a missed opportunity.

Eric

John, can you open a thread on this topic, please?

>> here you go: a very tiny slice of Mexico on 25th Street

The guy told me they are not filming something for the new restaurant and I didn’t ask him whay they are working on beyond that.

The property is owned by SMK Enterprises, Inc. – think the same person who owns/owned the Cold Storage buildings that are now being renovated into apartments? There were minor repair permits issued in January that were completed in February but not sure of anything more recent? It was rezoned not long ago from commercial to resturant use / eat-in use. Seems like a small independent film crew is doing something there? Was this site important or something happened there in the past that anyone knows of?

Eric

You and your parents will be getting notified by the city’s CDC (Orestis Marcoyiannakis) as there was a Show Cause issued by the courts some years ago and the owner was a No Show for the hearing. That point of interest fell through the cracks until now and must be several issues over this building being a blight and unsafe as well as other undisclosed problems. In short, something needs to happen SOON to this property (418-420 N 25th – East End Theater building).

For what it is worth, why was it gutteded in the first place and not restored as a theater of some sort 10 years ago?

Richmond Historical Foundation has also been notified about the building as they are looking for new projects.

Eric S. Huffstutler

Can you hear me now, Inner City Blues?

That solves all problems – the development of 25th street as a commercial corridor will actually happen! There will automatically be plenty of sports bars located nearby! And the neighbors can walk to baseball games! And transportation won’t be a problem – interstate 95 is right down the hill on Broad Street. As to parking – well, if it wasn’t a problem in Shockoe Bottom, it won’t be a problem up on the hill – just park in the bottom and walk up the hill! Maybe the stadium will even provide some sort of transfer service – rickshaw service might even move from Charlottesville to Richmond!

jp, sounds like you’ve got a great idea!

I’m not sure if the homeowners along the north side and behind the space would be enamored being next to an open-air theatre, but, in my view at least, it does have some kitschy appeal.

There are a LOT of folks in the area who would be thrilled to see a theater go in there. (And, having a bar/restaurant next door would be gravy.) Although I would concede that there can be a “combative” atmosphere around here at times, that’s not really the tone I’m getting. I sense skepticism. But, to the extent you’re going to need community input on your project, I think you’ll find that if your plans are to turn that building into a theater, you’ll get a substantial amount of support from the locals. (Although I’m sure somebody will complain … it’s human nature.)

By the way, if you did a geneology search, you might be able to find out that my maiden name is Johnson. Those are my parents, but thanks for calling me out on it.

Best,
Kathryn

You also might want to take it a step or 2 further by briefing the Church Hill Assn., the Union Hill Assn., any other local neighborhood associations, and the Mayor’s Roundtable as to what you are doing with the site, which is, unfortunately, a major eyesore in the community. Never know, maybe you could get some needed neighborhood support and assistance for whatever it is you claim to be doing with the property.

PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 418 N 25TH ST
420 N 25TH ST

MAP REFERENCE NUMBER: E0000337009
GPIN:
OWNER: JOHNSON R EARL & GAIL W
ASSESSMENT MAILING ADDRESS: 10702 GREEN MT RD
ASSESSMENT MAILING CITY: RICHMOND
ASSESSMENT MAILING STATE: VA
ASSESSMENT MAILING ZIP CODE: 23233
PROPERTY CLASS DESCRIPTION: B491 Commercial Shell
LAND USE DESCRIPTION: Commercial
LAND VALUE: 36,000
IMPROVEMENT VALUE: 41,400
TOTAL VALUE: 77,400
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 0075.00X0118.00 0000.000

SALE INFORMATION:
DATE CONSIDERATION GRANTOR DEED REFERENCE #
7/29/1977 n/a n/a ID000724 01375
9/9/1997 8,000 n/a ID09700 19744
4/25/2003 90,000 ROBERTSON HERBERT SR & IDID2003 14678
12/11/2006 n/a WILEY KATHERINE IDID2006 42427

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION:
EFFECTIVE DATE CHANGE DESCRIPTION LAND VALUE BUILDING VALUE TOTAL VALUE
1/1/2007 Reassessment 36,000 41,400 77,400
1/1/2006 Reassessment 24,700 40,600 65,300
1/1/2005 Reassessment 23,500 38,700 62,200
1/1/2004 Reassessment 20,400 35,200 55,600
1/1/2003 Reassessment 18,500 32,000 50,500
1/1/2002 Reassessment 16,800 29,100 45,900
1/1/1998 15,000 26,000 41,000

I just looked up the address on the city’s website, and it appears that you don’t own it? The following is from the city’s website –

12/11/2006 n/a WILEY KATHERINE IDID2006 42427

It looks like it was transferred on December 11, 2006 for an unspecified amount of money?

Anyway, if you really want to calm the concerns of concerned neighbors, why not just post what is going on?

Whatever the asking price is, it seems this property could be placed on the city’s blighted property registry. Nothing has been done to improve it and it has, in fact, deteriorated over the past few years. It’s really a disgrace.