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UPDATE: On Monday night, hundreds of concern citizens attended the Richmond City Council meeting either to support or oppose Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Revitalize RVA Plan resolution for Shockoe Bottom. According to Mayor Jones, the new ballpark project will generate 187-million dollars in new tax revenue for schools and create 1,000 jobs. Following a five hour meeting council members voted 6-3 in favor of Mayor Jones’ proposal. This is not the final vote, the Jones’ administration will work on a final proposal to present before council in 30-days.

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Citizens who oppose the plan including 700 hundred apartments, retail stores, parking garage, grocery store, hotel and slavery and heritage site say, “it’s an insult, building on sacred ground is despicable, baseball doesn’t belong in the bottom, it’s irresponsible to take on city debt, and it’s pathetic.”

And, those citizens who support the Shockoe Bottom plan say, “progression is progress, create new jobs, preserve our history, new projects put more money in the city, we need to grow and become competitive, and “no” has defined this community for so long.”

Voting in support of the resolution were council members Cynthia Newbille, Jonathan Baliles, Chris Hilbert, Kathy Graziano, and Michell Mosby. And, council members who oppose the resolution were Charles Samuels, Parker Agelasto and Reva Trammell.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement following the vote by Richmond City Council on Resolution No. 2014-R29, to express the City Council’s support for further negotiations with respect to “Revitalize RVA.”

“I want to thank the City Council for saying yes to the future of our city. Tonight’s vote was a vote to support our efforts to find ways to generate new tax revenue for our city, to create jobs and opportunity, and to honor our heritage. This was an important and difficult vote tonight, and I’m pleased that Council is willing to allow discussions to move forward.

 

 “I also want to thank Council members for their service to the city’s residents in working extremely hard over the last few months on this proposal and for their insistence on getting the best deal for our taxpayers.  I look forward to the continued review of this proposal and the continued scrutiny of a plan that I believe can be transformative for our city. Ultimately, I’m hoping that we can bring a final proposal forward that will generate willingness from all to embrace growth and to use culture as a bridge rather than a barrier.”

 

View the full story from CBS-6

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Will Richmonders support a new ballpark in Shockoe Bottom as part of a new economic development plan? According to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, the new ballpark project will generate 187-million dollars in new tax revenue and create 1,000 jobs. The ballpark site will be located at 17th and 18th streets with parking available at 14th, 15th and Franklin Streets. There will be 700 hundred apartments around the stadium, a Hyatt Hotel and a Kroger Grocery store at 18th and Broad Streets.

 Mayor Jones, said there will be “a pavilion to commemorate Lumpkins Jail” at the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site. He said, funding for the 30-million dollar project was raised by the city, state and city businesses. Mayor Jones, said “we are not taking money from schools or elsewhere for the ballpark project. This will be the place where our story will be told.”

The poverty rate in Richmond is at 26% and Mayor Jones wants citizens of Richmond to own their homes and businesses.

The Revitilize RVA, chapter 1, ballpark project “is a revolutionary plan. It will transform our city” said Mayor Jones.

The Defenders Sacred Ground Project opposes the RVA ballpark project. View the story from WRIC-TV8

Richmond City Council members will vote on the Revitilize RVA Plan resolution this Monday, February 24 at 6pm. The council meeting will be held in council chambers, 2nd floor of City Hall at 9oo East Broad Street in Richmond.

City Council Passes Mayor’s Shockoe Bottom Resolution [VIDEO]  was originally published on kissrichmond.com