The Richmond City Council gave their support for more discussion around Mayor Jones’ “Revitalize RVA” project last night.
The Richmond City Council gave their support for more discussion around Mayor Jones’ “Revitalize RVA” project last night.
After five treacherous hours of intense public forum, debate and comment, the council voted 6-3 to approve a resolution which “expressed their support for further negotiations in connection with “Revitalize RVA.” Council President Charles Samuels, Councilman Parker Agelasto and Councilwoman Reva Trammell voted against the resolution.
Last night’s vote doesn’t mean that anything will change immediately, and Councilman Jonathan Baliles, who voted in favor of the resolution, reassured the crowd that.
“Approval tonight does not mean a stadium will be built,” Baliles said.
The council often echoed the concerns of the 400+ citizens in attendance: Shockoe Bottom’s history. And to their credit they didn’t only talk, but also offered amendments which would ensure that no historical toes would get stepped on.
President Samuels proposed an amendment which would have required a more clear plan for the future of the Boulevard based on public support, an archeological dig in Shockoe, and a new traffic report to ensure congestion in the Bottom wouldn’t get any worse. Samuels’ amendment failed to pass, however.
Even those who voted in favor of the resolution shifted some pressure back to the Mayor’s office to be more clear and concise about what the plan would look like in action.
“Some decisions are easy, others, such as this, are more difficult. Thinking out of the box is not always easy, and at the end of the day we must vote for what we think is in the best long term interest of the city,” said Councilwoman Kathy Graziano.
“I look forward to receiving the facts and getting the administration the opportunity to return to us (the council) with hard numbers. I plan to vote in favor of this resolution, so that my colleagues and the public will have the information necessary to make a decision.”
Other council members stressed that the “Revitalize RVA” project is about more than just a baseball stadium. Major Dwight Jones’ plan would also include a new supermarket, hotel, parking deck and apartments in the area. Samuels insisted that Shockoe Bottom deserves more than what it has.
“’Better’ could kick ‘good’s’ rear end every single time,” Samuels said. “We can do better than what’s in the Boulevard and what’s in the Bottom right now.”
Councilwoman Trammell said the night’s most interesting word at the end of the night: referendum.
“Why not let the citizens have their voices heard? Let’s have a referendum,” Trammell said.
As the meeting was closing, Trammell continued to stress “Why not?” on the subject of a popular vote. She also said her fellow council members should support it.
As for what’s next? It’s hard to say. But the Mayor’s office will need to iron out every last specific detail of the plan if they want the Council’s steadfast support. While that happens, citizens will likely try to collect 9,000 registered voters to get the Reva-rendum underway.
