6AM City In-house

All eyes on City Center

What you need to know about the City Center Innovation District Request for Interest
A sunset shot of City Center over Leigh Street with the Coliseum in the foreground.
Coliseum demolition is near the top of the list for the City Center Innovation District. | Photo by @cwclarke_photos on Instagram
The city is moving forward with the redevelopment of City Center. Last week, the Economic Development Authority and the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority released a Request for Interest, inviting development teams to be considered for the first phase.

Here’s a breakdown of the project based on the RFI.

Background

A small area plan for City Center was adopted in January. Since then, the area has been designated an Innovation Zoning District. City Council has made moves to prepare the site, including transferring the soon-to-be-demolished Coliseum property to the EDA.

First steps

Phase 1 consists of a 9.4 acre parcel between 5th and 7th and Leigh and Marshall Streets. The EDA and GRCCA want it redeveloped into a mixed-use area anchored by a hotel to support the Convention Center.

A map with markings highlighting city-owned parcels on a blue background.

Phase 1 asks development teams to reimagine this 9.4 acre parcel.

Screenshot via city documents

The goal

The evaluation criteria section of the RFI provides some insight into the city’s wishes for the project. The EDA and GRCCA want a team with experience in urban redevelopment. The team has to have the capability to demolish the Coliseum and adaptively reuse the Blues Armory.

In addition, it seems the panel is looking for teams that include affordable rental and for-sale housing units, new employment opportunities, open green space, and sustainability features in their plans.

The RFI also specifies that financing should minimize public investment and risk.

What’s next

Prospective development teams will have until Tuesday, Dec. 20 to submit responses. Select development teams will then be invited to respond to a Request for Offers. The city wants to announce the selected team in the spring or summer.

Expect more opportunities for public engagement as the project continues.
Woodfin

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Nov. 10
  • Book Talk with Steve Cowie | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual| Free | The author will discuss his book, “When Hell Came to Sharpsburg,” at this American Civil War Museum program.
  • Building a Loving Community: The Story Behind the Opera | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 2 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W Broad St, Richmond | Free | Hear the libretto from the upcoming Loving v. Virginia opera and get insights on the writing process.
Friday, Nov. 11
  • Eggy | Friday, Nov. 11 | 9 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $12 | The New Haven four-piece will jam with Sicard Hollow.
  • Old Stories, New Life: Technology’s Role in Sharing American Heroism | Friday, Nov. 11 | 3-4 p.m. | Virginia War Memorial, Richmond | Free | Register to hear VCU professor Bernard Means and senior Maggie Colangelo discuss Colangelo’s comic book about WWII Veteran Russell Scott.
Saturday, Nov. 12
  • “Encanto” | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W Cary St, Richmond | $5 | We don’t talk about Bruno, but we will spread the word about this family musical screening.
  • The Soft Moon | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $18 | Industrial post-punk with Model/Actriz.
Sunday, Nov. 13
  • Omar Apollo | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 6:45 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $24 | See the R&B fusion artist with Ravyn Lenae on The Prototype Tour.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Virginia Physician for Women

Weather
  • 73º | Mostly cloudy | 12% chance of rain
Traffic
  • Look out for slower traffic today around the intersection of Broad and Westmoreland Street. The traffic signal cabinet is getting replaced, so there will be temporary lane closures and manual traffic control from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 🚗
Open
  • A new boutique hotel is open downtown at 5th and Franklin Streets. Moxy is part of the Marriott brand, with a focus on a communal atmosphere and local flair. Richmond’s Moxy is one of only four on the east coast — the others are in New York, DC, and Boston. 🛎 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Arts
  • The VMFA has picked a firm to plan and supervise construction during the museum’s renovation and expansion. Gilbane Building Company’s experience in Richmond includes work on the Institute for Contemporary Art, Altria Theater, and Carpenter Theatre. 🔨
  • Want to take up pottery, photography, or weaving? Registration will open for the 270+ winter classes at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond on Wednesday, Nov. 16. There are in-person and virtual offerings. If you’re a VisArts member, you can sign up now. 🎨
Development
  • A vacant lot in Chimborazo could become 31 apartments, complete with a commercial storefront. The three-story building would go up at 4000 Government Rd. Developer Daniil Kleyman is also pursuing building a 129-unit complex across the street. 🏡 (Richmond BizSense)
Drink
  • The Valentine is launching a Meat Juice Bloody Mary Mix, adapted from the historic tonic invented by the museum’s founder in 1870. You can try and buy the spicy mixer at a launch party on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 5-7 p.m. It’ll also be available in the gift shop, while supplies last. 🥩
Plan Ahead
  • The team behind Manchester Manifest First Fridays has a new event series in the works for the winter season. The group says they’ll host a takeover of the restaurant Manchester’s Table (201 W. 7th St. Ste. 101) every first Wednesday of the month. More details are on the way.
Number
  • $27,000. That’s how much the Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund awarded to 12 regional nonprofits. The fund was established last year to support recreational programs which build equitable access to the trail. This year’s recipients include Black Girls RUN!, Blue Sky Fund, and Richmond Cycling Corps. 💸
Announced
  • Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the RICtoday Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻
Shop
Learn
  • Going on vacation this winter and need to learn a new language fast? With Babbel, RICtoday readers could be speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Bonus: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🛫 *
Listen
  • We already know that you love Richmond, so you might love this too. Home Where You Belong is a weekly podcast that explores how to feel more at home in your living space and city, provides tools for deepening your relationships + connections with your community, and more. Listen online or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
6AM City In-house

Thanksgiving eats — early 🍽

Satisfy your Thanksgiving cravings at these local restaurants
Three stock photographs of mac and cheese, collard greens, and yams.
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side? | Graphic by RICtoday
In the spirit of giving thanks and eating good, we’re doing a recurring series in the newsletter to highlight where in Richmond you can satisfy your Thanksgiving cravings before the big feast.

We’ve got these sides on the mind.

🍠 Africanne On Main, 1102 W. Main St.
Load up your plate with candied yams, mac and cheese, greens, and cornbread.

🧀 Alamo BBQ, 2202 Jefferson Ave.
Get a kick out of their Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.

🥬 Southern Kitchen Restaurant, 541 N. 2nd St.
Sample a Southern Roll, their spin on an egg roll with chicken, collards, and cabbage.

Let us know where you’d go to get your Thanksgiving fix early and click the button below to see the desserts of our dreams.
PIE IN THE SKY
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: If you’re passionate about Richmond brunches, we want to hear from you. We’ve got a brunch guide on the horizon and would love to hear your go-to spot. 🥓

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’re planning ahead for events this winter.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Katie Potter, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?
SUBSCRIBE

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY