Richmond looks UGLY! (neighborhood, maintenance, live in)

[cowpunkrva]

>WHAT IS THERE TO DO HERE FOR TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS OR PEOPLE THAT WANT SOME DIVERSITY?

If you just want to go to the mall and shop, there isn't. However there is a music venue almost every block with live bands almost every night. There are art galleries, cool thrift stores, Carytown, Belle Isle, Maymont, and yes history. What would you suggest? Let's tear down St. John's Church, the White House of the Confederacy, the Maggie Walker House, and Tredager? Richmond is an amazing city. Hampton Rhodes is boring as hell, and so is NOVA. There aren't better cities in Virginia, whoever said that. Richmond is awesome.

[Stalaktitas]

New generation want new McDonald's! Ok... thats not so important, we can cook at home.

Old buildings has to be (and are getting) restored, city is doing a great work on that. It gives us more jobs, and everyone are getting some money. Now the big northern cities are in a very bad situation as of construction jobs. We are still doing good and better over in Richmond.

So let it be Richmond and we will sweep around. I think its architecture speaks for it self and is beautiful. IMHO, It is not too dusty in compare with most European cities.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by Stalaktitas

New generation want new McDonald's! Ok... thats not so important, we can cook at home.

Old buildings has to be (and are getting) restored, city is doing a great work on that. It gives us more jobs, and everyone are getting some money. Now the big northern cities are in a very bad situation as of construction jobs. We are still doing good and better over in Richmond.

So let it be Richmond and we will sweep around. I think its architecture speaks for it self and is beautiful. IMHO, It is not too dusty in compare with most European cities.

Why would you say the "New Generation wants new McDonald's" is that supposed to be a joke? It's offensive if anything. The only joke is how the city wastes money restoring those old buildings like City Hall, which is ALWAYS under construction along with the museum. If I were to say something sarcastic about your generation, the forums would be in a uproar.

[Stalaktitas]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Why would you say the "New Generation wants new McDonald's" is that supposed to be a joke? It's offensive if anything. The only joke is how the city wastes money restoring those old buildings like City Hall, which is ALWAYS under construction along with the museum. If I were to say something sarcastic about your generation, the forums would be in a uproar.

So you wish less construction jobs or you say lets knock everything down and lets build glass buildings?

But the city is beautiful! This is one of very few such cities in the states - old by its downtown architecture what reminds the history. It is not ugly - it is just historical. Of course it needs a lot of maintenance, but that is also someones' job place, and therefore we have less unemployment to compare with other big cities.

If we are busy - we get paid, so... one thing of a time, and as long as those buildings are safe and can be utilized, I say - utilize it.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by Stalaktitas

So you wish less construction jobs or you say lets knock everything down and lets build glass buildings?

But the city is beautiful! This is one of very few such cities in the states - old by its downtown architecture what reminds the history. It is not ugly - it is just historical. Of course it needs a lot of maintenance, but that is also someones' job place, and therefore we have less unemployment to compare with other big cities.

If we are busy - we get paid, so... one thing of a time, and as long as those buildings are safe and can be utilized, I say - utilize it.

oh my god.. not.. not GLASS BUILDINGS!!!

Next thing you know we'd have crazy things like electricity and flying cars

No way, not in my town ya don't!

[richmondpics]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Why would you say the "New Generation wants new McDonald's" is that supposed to be a joke? It's offensive if anything. The only joke is how the city wastes money restoring those old buildings like City Hall, which is ALWAYS under construction along with the museum. If I were to say something sarcastic about your generation, the forums would be in a uproar.

What? City Hall was recently renovated because panels of the facade were cracking and in danger of falling off. The facade was replaced with a modern aluminum cladding in a project that won multiple awards. The renovation costs were WELL below replacement costs, so how was that a waste of money? Currently City Hall requires boiler and chiller replacement because existing systems are at the age where they need upgrades/replacement... that doesn't mean that it should be abandoned for a new structure. If your furnace or AC unit at your house breaks and needs replacement, do you bulldoze your house and start over?

Which museum?

Whether you can realize it or not, historic restorations have been a godsend to this city and are a major contributing factor to its revitalization. Richmond is second to only St. Louis for the use of historic tax credits in rehab projects. Bulldozing old buildings for replacement by new buildings is a failed theory of urban development. A blend of old and new is the best for Richmond's future...

[Anders15]

You guys are always trying to argue you don't even comprehend what is being said. In my post I said

" the city wastes money restoring those old buildings like City Hall, which is ALWAYS under construction along with the museum."

I said those two buildings in particular. Those are the two that are always under construction from what I've seen during my commute during the past few years. There are other buildings downtown that still need a facelift. What I meant was that I would rather see some of the other buildings and smaller downtown shops get a facelift rather the same buildings always being worked on over and over.


I also have a rant..
I realize most of the users here only stay in Carytown and Shockoe bottom. Fine. Great. Just realize not all of Richmond looks like Carytown and Shockoe bottom. I just don't understand why it is so hard for you guys to accept that. There are good locations and bad locations. You guys just bash everyone that points out problems in bad locations or someone who may want something more "modern" in the city.

Just because you live in a good neighborhood and such realize not everyone here is. Not everyone only takes the good roads to work. Not everyone can. I don't know what is up with the attitude here as of late but it's a real turn off especially to the people from the north. Users here may not like the "old city" feel and the best way to deal with it is for both parties to *compromise* and work together not totally be disrespectful and rude. There is more than one side to things and you people need to be more accepting of the other side.

[CNI]

Originally Posted by NJRAMAL

I really hope someone has an answer to this question! I have always wondered why they would build twin "skyscrapers" of a noninspiring 20 stories or so as opposed to stacking the two and creating a 40 story building that would be the gem of the skyline! 40 stories in Richmond would be the equivalent of the Sears Tower!

Originally Posted by kdaddict804

Is there a height restriction of how high Richmond can build buildings because a lot of them are tiny in comparison to a lot of other cities.

I was curious about this too.
It appears to be a "cost to build" issue - with demand for retail space also factoring into the mix.
I guess it was cheaper to buy more land than to try to build higher (whereas in cities with taller skyscrapers it might be cheaper to build higher than to try to buy more land).
I guess this also explains the proliferation of small scale suburban structures.

But, despite all of the cold hard economic realties, it still would be nice to make a grand statement!

It's not all bad though.
According to SkyscraperPage.com (United States - SkyscraperPage.com) Richmond is 49th in the US in terms of quantity of skyscrapers.

skyscraper: Definition from Answers.com
"In some ways, super-tall buildings are not practical. It is cheaper to build two half-height buildings than one very tall one. Developers must find tenants for huge amounts of space at one location; for example, the Sears Tower encloses 4.5 million square feet (415,000 square meters). On the other hand, developers in crowded cities must make the fullest possible use of limited amounts of available land. Nonetheless, the decision to build a dramatically tall building is usually based not on economics, but on the desire to attract attention and gain prestige."

Fredericton Skyscrapers - Fredericton, NB : citynoise.org
"Usually it is easier and cheaper just to build two 500-foot buildings (Riverfront Plaza Towers are 312 feet) than it is to build a single 1000-foot one. But in places like Los Angeles and Tokyo, the higher costs of earthquake-reinforced buildings are still cheaper than having to purchase another block of downtown real estate."

3am Feature: Into the Great Wide Open - The Uncertain Future and Undeniable Significance of Skyscrapers in our Culture
"And when all is said and done, as Smith so deftly put it, it is 40% cheaper to build two 40-story buildings (Riverfront Plaza Towers are 20 stories) than one 100-story tower, because above the fortieth floor one runs into human-transport issues, a polite euphemism for stating that the damn elevator shafts take up too much room."

FARK.com: (2833748) There are 42 skyscrapers in the construction or planning phase around the world that are over 1,000 feet tall. Only five are in the United States
"Very true. There was a 75-story hotel and condo tower that was recently proposed in Chicago that was estimated by the developer to cost $400 million. Trump Tower Chicago, which is 96 floors will end up costing over $750 million. So yes, you could almost build two 80-story buildings for the cost of a 100-story building.

In the 70s and 80s steel was cheaper and companies could afford buildings like the Sears Tower and World Trade Center. They were all over 100 floors. Now most office highrises don't go above 60 floors, if that. Even the Freedom Tower which is replacing two 100+ story buildings is only 88 floors, and they need tons of government assistance to get it built. "

[bluevelo]

Actually, I lived in Richmond for 3 years and I tend to somewhat agree with the original poster (although I moved out in '99). But, you can 'redo' older buildings and make them very nice. A good example is what Fort Worth has done with its downtown... they've re-used the old buildings rather than board them up, tear them down or put dark film on the windows.

[bluevelo]

I lived in Carytown for a year and LOVED it.