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Bilder proposes to develop Nolde Garage and parking lot

Josh Bilder’s Sterling Builder has contacted neighbors around the intersection of 24th and Marshall Streets about a proposal to develop the Nolde Garage and the adjacent parking lot.

A letter sent out by a law firm representing the developer describes a plan to convert the properties into “a mix of townhouse style residential apartments, commercial space and civic space.”

A meeting concerning the possible development will be held on Tuesday, October 29 6PM at the Family Resource Center at 2405 Jefferson Avenue.

Bilder is also in the process of redeveloping the long vacant East End Theater on 25th Street.

bilder proposal

12 comments

Chrichilllover 10/23/2013 at 8:56 AM

There is some confusion. This project is proposed for the vacant building and parking lot that is used by buses coming to St. John’s church. It is at the corner of 24th and Marshall, not the Nolde.

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John M 10/23/2013 at 9:05 AM

That vacant building at 2407 East Marshall is what is being referred to as the “Nolde Garage”.

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Don O'Keefe 10/23/2013 at 9:14 AM

Great! Less parking lots, more residential and commercial density are the key to a safer and more vital neighborhood. I am concerned by the term “civic space.” One thing doesn’t need is more token public space like the empty and imposing office plazas downtown. The building would be better off meeting the street edge like its urban predecessors in Church Hill.

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Alex 10/23/2013 at 9:43 AM

I was in favor of the most recent draft of the theater project but am hoping this one doesn’t go through. Given how long the theater took to get resolved and the fact that work still hasn’t started on that, I’d rather not have another piece of real estate tied up by Bilder at the same time.

We’re putting a lot of eggs in his basket if we go this route and if he gets in over his head we could have a large amount of key properties tied up and holding back progress.

Get the theater built first Mr. Bilder and if this property is still available then you’ve got my support.

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Next Friend 10/23/2013 at 10:23 AM

Alex – sorry bud – gotta call armchair quaterback on you. The Theater was approved what, last week? Two weeks ago maybe? It’s taken so long because he did exactly what neighbors asked him. Deliberate, careful, engaged developers are exactly what Church Hill needs. If he hasn’t broken ground next year after sitting on approvals, then you would have a good point.

If your advice is taken now, everyone gets to spend four years teaching a different developer that Church Hill is hesitant about density, wants fully parked projects with compatible architecture, and will redesign their project three times.

How about going to the meeting, looking at the plans, giving feedback, and then deciding on the merits?

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Alex 10/23/2013 at 12:44 PM

Fair enough. Though to be fair, he brought a lot of the rework on himself by pushing the boundaries the first dozen or so times. I also don’t love the idea of developers getting “dibs” on a property. Why doesn’t the city just auction this off?

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Wild 10/23/2013 at 1:08 PM

Fingers crossed “commercial space” means Anderson’s Neck Oyster tasting room (with requisite VA wine menu, of course)! Those dilapidated garage doors would be gorgeous as floor to ceiling glass. Especially if they opened to a little patio….

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crd 10/24/2013 at 9:26 PM

Did any of you know that Joshua Bilder is on the Commission of Architectural Review (commonly known as CAR)? Here is a link showing that he is. http://www.richmondgov.com/CommissionArchitecturalReview/documents/MinutesJune2013.pdf

Further, do any of you realize what the problems are with parking in that area? I was just told by someone who lives across the street from the proposed development that the parking lot is totally full, because there is precious little on-street parking in that area. The theater will put additional parking problems into the area. I suggest you visit the parking lot after 6 p.m. and check out the problems before endorsing this project. I intend to do so.

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Alex 10/24/2013 at 10:10 PM

@8 – if you’re implying its a conflict of interest, I’d agree with you. Sadly Richmond doesn’t agree. He’s not the only one on that committee with some questionable interests. The architect for the really ugly building on the 2100 block of E Broad also is a member.

To be fair, I believe both recuse themselves from votes on their projects but it still seems like a Supreme Court judge taking cases or a Senator serving as a lobbyist. Richmond holds a very low bar though.

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