The battle over Richmond Intermediate Terminal continues afresh. A new partnership between the proposed developer of Echo Harbor George T. Ross and restaurateur Michael Ripp offers “a joint project that would include moving Dock Street to allow the shifting of the condominium towers out of the view from Libby Hill Park and expanding public access to the river along the property”. [via]

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In advance of the RTD’s Public Square on the James River, the Church Hill Association has reconfirmed its position with regard to Echo Harbor:

The developers are proposing 250 condominium units to be built in two 350’ wide buildings, (in a stair-step configuration), separated by a 275’ view corridor. These structures are to be placed atop a 3 level of parking garage, all of which would be setback 50’ from the river. Following the Q&A session …a motion was made, seconded, and universally approved. It stated: “The Church Hill Association opposes the development as proposed and recommends no rezoning other than RF-1 with its 60 foot height limit.”

Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian has asked the RRHA to reconsider the sale of two vacant lots that were earlier promised to the Echo Harbor developer. The 2 properties, on a section of Main Street that leads to Richmond Intermediate Terminal, would be necessary for the developer to build a bridge from them over Dock Street to the project for emergency access. Hill-Christian says that the earlier agreement to sell the properties was made without knowing that Wilder and city planners opposed it. [via]

In an email to City Council urging them to support the Mayor’s plan for a public marina on the land slated for the Echo Harbor development, James Ukrop wrote:

“As you consider your decisions about to be made on the riverfront . . . please balance the long-term benefit to our city vs. the short-term gains. [...] By investing in the marina and park site, you will not only create more public access to the river, you will also not lose the magnificent view of the river from Libby Hill (one of our city’s most valuable assets).”

[via]

The first public hearing on the recently released updated Downtown Master Plan will be Monday, Dec.3rd at 6:30PM at the City Planning Commission meeting in the 5th floor conference room in City Hall. Backers of this vision of Richmond’s future are urging citizens to turn out to show their support for the plan.

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A fairly large crowd from around the area turned out Saturday morning for 7th District Council Representative and Vice President Delores McQuinn’s Town Hall Meeting at the United House of Prayer (926 Chimborazo Boulevard). The meeting began amidst murmered chatter about the previous night’s events at city hall…

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nbc12 is carrying the self-explanatory “Echo Harbour developers change design“, with a video tha includes a rendering of the proposal. (and the related press release…)

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State Delegate Jennifer McClellan has introduced a bill that designates the panoramic view of the James River from Libby Hill Park in Richmond, Virginia, as a Historic Viewshed in Virginia.

Here are notes from the first half of the meeting last night, please add more if you have anything.

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The 7th District Roundtable meeting is this Monday evening at 6pm at EDI (M&25th Streets). There are 2 big bullets on the agenda — a presentation on the Echo Harbor Development at 3011 and 3021 Dock Street about their request for Special Use Permit and Conditional Rezoning, and a presentation on housing projects and initiatives in the East End. Both of these could be very interesting…

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