Richmond Downtown Mall? (neighborhood, marketplace, architecture)

[ClarkStreetKid]

I don't think Richmond can really plan what the city will be like, it takes vision of people like the late Eddie Eck, Sidney Gunst or Millie Jones to just make it happen. Richmond has improved a lot but areas outside of Richmond already have plenty of shopping and chain eateries, so trying to make a new shopping hub to bring in suburbanites will be a waste, unless it's geared 90% towards those living in Richmond.

[Go-Richmond-VA]

I am happy for the support, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't want a mall like MacArthur smattered into downtown... It's just aesthetically wrong, not to mention horrible when you think about it. I don't want to drive down Broad and see this gargantuan, oversized retail building next to something as beautiful as say, Old City Hall. Its just not right. Those structures belong in the suburbs, not in downtown. Urban storefronts instead of shopping malls. That's the direction times square has driven in, and look where it has gotten them. And I'm not saying we have to shove aside all our lovely mom and pop shops and restaurants for chains. Indeed, a good national chain here and there would work. And it is how Richmond can thrive.

On the matter of mass transit and parking, Norfolk has thrived with the tide, connecting its downtown to other areas, and more, and already ridership has surpassed a million in one year. Apparently occupancy downtown is at 95 percent, and if that's the case, then I'm sure those residents (which combine to about 8,000 in downtown) plus the 30000 some workers who could possible use the stops on the LRT or BRT lines could reach that number in weeks.. It's a matter of strategizing.

But that doesn't mean sit there and conduct studies for decades and take no action, something that RVA does an excellent job of....

[pantin23]

Originally Posted by Go-Richmond-VA

I am happy for the support, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't want a mall like MacArthur smattered into downtown... It's just aesthetically wrong, not to mention horrible when you think about it. I don't want to drive down Broad and see this gargantuan, oversized retail building next to something as beautiful as say, Old City Hall. Its just not right. Those structures belong in the suburbs, not in downtown. Urban storefronts instead of shopping malls. That's the direction times square has driven in, and look where it has gotten them. And I'm not saying we have to shove aside all our lovely mom and pop shops and restaurants for chains. Indeed, a good national chain here and there would work. And it is how Richmond can thrive.

On the matter of mass transit and parking, Norfolk has thrived with the tide, connecting its downtown to other areas, and more, and already ridership has surpassed a million in one year. Apparently occupancy downtown is at 95 percent, and if that's the case, then I'm sure those residents (which combine to about 8,000 in downtown) plus the 30000 some workers who could possible use the stops on the LRT or BRT lines could reach that number in weeks.. It's a matter of strategizing.

But that doesn't mean sit there and conduct studies for decades and take no action, something that RVA does an excellent job of....

originally I just said Block Cary, with this in mind.

[Go-Richmond-VA]

Wait, block Cary as in close it off, as the poll says?

You thought I wanted all that stuff to happen in Caryto......

nonononononononononono I want it to happen in downtown, like as in, Broad street, part of the new arts district, except make it a true mixed-use district. You know, residential, offices, retail, and cultural all in one area. That's what ArtBusiness Richmond is about

But no, sadly I don't think any of that will happen in Carytown. Although that is known for it's local shops, and I think maybe it should stay that way. Chains could thrive better in an urban environment. Not that C-town isn't urban, but, more in, like downtown, on floor levels of multi-story buildings, maybe in replenished, formerly-blighted buildings.....

[pantin23]

Originally Posted by Go-Richmond-VA

Wait, block Cary as in close it off, as the poll says?

You thought I wanted all that stuff to happen in Caryto......

nonononononononononono I want it to happen in downtown, like as in, Broad street, part of the new arts district, except make it a true mixed-use district. You know, residential, offices, retail, and cultural all in one area. That's what ArtBusiness Richmond is about

But no, sadly I don't think any of that will happen in Carytown. Although that is known for it's local shops, and I think maybe it should stay that way. Chains could thrive better in an urban environment. Not that C-town isn't urban, but, more in, like downtown, on floor levels of multi-story buildings, maybe in replenished, formerly-blighted buildings.....

NO. Downtown Cary Street in the SHOCKOE SLIP

[hgnmx]

Originally Posted by pantin23

NO. Downtown Cary Street in the SHOCKOE SLIP

Shockoe Slip is supposed to be an old Richmond style classic of nice restaurants and cafes, turning it into short pump downtown would **** off a lot of Richmonders

[Go-Richmond-VA]

Ohh.... Cary down there....man that place is already thriving with them lots... I'M TALKING ABOUT DOWNTOWN WITH BROAD AND ARTS DISTRICT..... if one would close cary off down there, they'd need a lot more sights and attractions and things to do and good reasoning to do it, because i know otherwise, it would just create traffic problems down there, and would be a waste of money. Maybe when that train shed gets revitalized and that national slavery museum gets built. Then, my friend, only then.....

[hgnmx]

Originally Posted by Go-Richmond-VA

Ohh.... Cary down there....man that place is already thriving with them lots... I'M TALKING ABOUT DOWNTOWN WITH BROAD AND ARTS DISTRICT..... if one would close cary off down there, they'd need a lot more sights and attractions and things to do and good reasoning to do it, because i know otherwise, it would just create traffic problems down there, and would be a waste of money. Maybe when that train shed gets revitalized and that national slavery museum gets built. Then, my friend, only then.....

If any road downtown would be closed off it should be franklin, it's the least used one east of belvidere, though i don't particularly like the idea of closing off any roads downtown for a "mall"

[ronyusa]

This thread and the "light rail" thread belongs in the "Fantasy" section of City Data forum. Speaking of which City Data needs to add a "Fantasy" section in their forums. I will be a good netizen and go ahead and send an email to the admins !!

I am also opposed to closing any roads downtown by the way, I voted "no" in the poll for this thread. Interesting idea/conversation though.

Cheers!

[hgnmx]

Originally Posted by ronyusa

This thread and the "light rail" thread belongs in the "Fantasy" section of City Data forum. Speaking of which City Data needs to add a "Fantasy" section in their forums. I will be a good netizen and go ahead and send an email to the admins !!

I am also opposed to closing any roads downtown by the way, I voted "no" in the poll for this thread. Interesting idea/conversation though.

Cheers!

Haha yes! It is a pretty big fantasy isn't it? Believe it or not people actually live and work down here and drive on these roads everyday!

I do agree a fantasy section would be pretty cool though