Below is a submission from one of our local readers regarding the proposed redevelopment of Navy Hill. If you have an opinion or topic you’d like to write about, please contact us at chpnrva@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Church Hill People’s News.
Action Required: Citizens Deserve a VOTE on the Stoney/Dominion Coliseum Plan
Hey Folks, Got a time-sensitive issue here: As you may have heard, Mayor Stoney and a group of private investors are working to greenlight a plan to build a new coliseum and redevelop the Navy Hill neighborhood. Many citizens are voicing opposition to this plan, as it likely will require millions of tax dollars from RVA residents. In fact, 15,000 citizens signed a Paul Goldman petition to put this issue to a vote in November. Some city council members appear to be in favor of allowing a referendum that will give people a say. Other members are allegedly not supportive of this idea. If you live in the 7th District and think that having a people’s referendum on this issue is the right thing to do, please contact our councilwoman, Cynthia Newbille, and let her know. It’s important to act now-council plans to meet THIS WEEK to make a decision. Email Now: Cynthia.Newbille@Richmondgov.com Whether you’re for or against this new development project is your decision. Let’s make sure you are able to make that decision in November.
Over and out, Mackie Blaylock
9 comments
It seems to me that decisions like this are why we elect a city council. Granted, they aren’t perfect; but, I expect them to have at least a little more knowledge of the complex pros and cons than the average citizen needed to make a competent assessment.
Cameron, I want a vote on this. Council is far from perfect. Mackie, thanks for posting. And everyone needs to make sure they are registered to vote this November. All politics is local, after all.
City Council meeting is this Tuesday at 4:00…
Parker C. Agelasto
PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVISORY
WHAT: Richmond City Council will hold a special meeting for the introduction and expedited consideration of a resolution ordering the submission to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond of Ord. No. 2019-212, concerning the creation of a Navy Hill Fund for the purpose of setting aside, to the extent permitted by law, and accounting separately for certain City tax revenues and other City revenues to pay for debt service on bonds issued by the Economic Development Authority to finance the construction of a new arena in downtown Richmond, for an advisory referendum thereon.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 13, at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
City Hall – 5th Floor Conference Room
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
The agenda for this meeting is accessible on the city’s legislative website by clicking below.
CONTACT: For more information, please contact City Clerk Candice D. Reid at 804.646.7955 or candice.reid@richmondgov.com.
For those interested in the finances of Tom Farrell’s plan for downtown Richmond, a plan adopted by the city’s mayor (https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/tom-farrells-1-billion-idea/Content?oid=12096982), here’s an easy to follow breakdown:
https://nocoliseum.com/breakdown-of-citys-overview/
Sharing this Forbes article about stadium/arena financing. Here’s a quote:
As pointed out by Georgia State University’s Center for Sport and Urban Policy, 54 ballparks, arenas, and stadiums in North America have received nearly $11 billion in public funding since 2006 alone. Taxpayers got to vote on funding for just 15 of those facilities, with just eight getting approval.
In all, roughly $9.3 billion has been spent without a taxpayer vote on the matter.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonnotte/2018/08/17/your-tax-dollars-at-play-how-stadium-tax-scams-pick-fans-pockets/?fbclid=IwAR1XZEIKek9o1kc21f-k4-L5MJ_QCSP88W-IYc4g0eABw-Ym5eXgrqfqGXU#6b8f07be6fb9
I love that it is scheduled for 4:00 pm. While there are many that can attend, there are many who cannot due to work schedules.
There will be opportunity for public comment tomorrow, 8/14 at 6 pm. Currently scheduled for 5th floor conference room at City Hall.
Apparently the venue for the Wednesday meeting is at the Richmond Police Training Academy at 1202 W. Graham Road. Hopefully the room will accommodate more people than City Hall’s tiny 5th floor room that hosted yesterday’s meeting.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/37.5207021,-77.3783141/richmond+police+training+academy/@37.5405664,-77.4475712,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b116b5ca271f05:0xcd9c3099b7394200!2m2!1d-77.4498046!2d37.5645322
https://richmondbizsense.com/2019/08/14/council-meet-tonight-proposed-navy-hill-referendum/?fbclid=IwAR3XWRwV3zpjLCIB6fJ3vd6JjBVAnxkgIRIpxETsILaqY7FqxRDacNrjXHI
Thank you Mackie!