Plus, Petersburg boutique opening in Carytown
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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.
 
Development news that’s music to our ears
RICtoday_RichmondAmphitheaterRendering
A rendering depicts the riverfront project, set to open in 2025. | Photo courtesy 3North
A 7,500 person capacity music and entertainment amphitheater could open on the riverfront as soon as 2025. The development team, led by music management company Red Light Ventures, says they’ve come to an agreement with the City of Richmond.

Initially unveiled in July 2022 by reporting from Richmond BizSense, the estminated $30.5 million project was delayed while the group negotiated with the city.

At City Council’s meeting on Monday, an ordinance was introduced for the city to provide an annual performance grant for the “Richmond Riverfront Performing Arts Venue.” Council will vote on the ordinance at a later date. If approved, it would be a 20-year grant with funds coming from the tax revenue generated by the venue.

The group wants to start construction this summer and plans to host 25-35 major acts each year, as well as civic events including graduations and nonprofit gatherings.
RICtoday_RiverfrontAmphitheaterMap

A map shows the proposed site for the venue.

|

Photo via city documents

The proposed capacity level has been compared to the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville and the Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington, NC. It’s a bit smaller than the Orion in Huntsville, AL.

Here’s a quick breakdown of those venues and some shows that are coming up at each one to get a taste of what could be in store for Richmond.

Ascend Amphitheater | Nashville, TN
  • Capacity: 6,800
  • Who’s playing: Charlie Puth, Young the Giant, Arctic Monkeys
Live Oak Bank Pavilion | Wilmington, NC
  • Capacity: 7,200
  • Who’s playing: Boyz II Men, Dave Matthews Band, boygenius
The Orion Amphitheater | Huntsville, AL
  • Capacity: 8,000
  • Who’s playing: Weezer, James Taylor, Ja Rule + Ashanti
Share your thoughts on the amphitheater project by taking our poll.
 
Asked
 
What artist would you like to see perform at the upcoming venue?
 
Children's Hospital Foundation
 
Events
 
Wednesday, May 24
Thursday, May 25
  • Lecture Series: “Spitfire” | Thursday, May 25 | 12-1 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $0-$10 | Get tickets to hear how author Preston Smith approached writing about his father’s experience as a fighter pilot in the RAF — or stream the event online.
  • Film Screening + Discussion: “Deconstructing Karen” | Thursday, May 25 | 5-8:30 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $0-$35 | Watch the documentary and join local author Saira Rao for a discussion on race and systems of oppression.
Friday, May 26
  • 4th Friday Art Shows and Opening Reception | Friday, May 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Art Works, 320 Hull St., Richmond | Free | Meet with four local artists, browse the gallery space, and enjoy refreshments.
  • grandson + K.Flay | Friday, May 26 | 7 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $32 | The singer-songwriters will be joined by De’Wayne.
Sunday, May 28
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Sports Backers
 
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Finance
 
7 secrets comfortable retirees know about hiring a financial advisor
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Smart retirees know a thing or two — and you should, too. | Photo by SmartAsset
Research suggests people who work with a financial advisor could end up with about 15% more money to spend in retirement.1 Read: A lot of margaritas.

That’s because they know the seven secrets to hiring a financial advisor, like never hiring the first advisor you meet. (Rookie mistake.)

The ultimate tip? Answer a few questions in this free, five-minute quiz to match with vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help optimize a retirement plan for you.*
1“Journal of Retirement Study Winter” (2020)”. The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of your future results. Please follow the link to see the methodologies employed in the Journal of Retirement study.
 
News Notes
 
Transit
  • RVA Bike Share has temporarily shut down operations. The city’s contractor, Bewegen Technologies, declared bankruptcy this year. The city is looking for a new contractor and has promised free rides for everyone for 30 days when the service resumes.
Community
  • The North Avenue Branch of RPL is back open. A burst water line forced the library to close for six months for repairs. The staff say they are waiting on some new furniture to arrive but are open in the meantime.
Coming Soon
  • A longtime Petersburg shop is moving to Carytown. The Bougie Goat Boutique will open near the Carytown Kroger the first week of June. Stop by and shop consignment clothing, jewelry, home decor, art, and gifts.
Biz
  • CoStar Group says it’s looking to hire 2,000 more people in Richmond ahead of the completion of its new office tower. New positions will involve technology, operations, software development, marketing, and content creation. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Number
  • $14.8 million. That’s how much Putnam Mill LLC paid for The Mill at Manchester, a 70-unit apartment complex south of the river. The purchase is the firm’s first acquisition in the Richmond area. (Richmond BizSense)
Concert
  • This week’s Friday Cheers is RVA Music Night, and the lineup is packed with local talent. Casssidy Snider & The Wranglers go on at 6:15 p.m., Celler Dwellers at 7:15 p.m., and Butcher Brown at 8:20 p.m. Get tickets for $10.
Outdoors
  • Maymont Community Garden and Richmond Grows Gardens are hosting a bike tour of several local community gardens on Friday, June 2. Meet at 5 p.m. at Maymont Community Garden (1907 Texas Ave.) for a slow-paced ride across the river with stops for meetings with garden stewards.
Sports
  • The Flying Squirrels welcomed their five millionth fan to The Diamond last weekend. Amie Stumbo got to sport some impressive jewelry on the field and the team came away with the win, 5-3.
Show
  • Catch a performance by Richmond’s water ballet and synchronized swimming team, the River City Magnolias, during their Pool Hop this weekend. On Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, the team will make stops to perform at six local pools. See the schedule.
Open
  • Private rooms, 24/7 care, and the region’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center only begin to describe why the new Children’s Tower is a children’s hospital unlike any other. Richmond’s new home for pediatric emergency, trauma, and inpatient care is now open.*
History
  • We know the perfect Father’s Day gift for the history buff in your life: Historical Williamsburg. This experience package grants access to five historic sites — including all of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic sites, trade shops, and art museums — for seven consecutive days from the first date of use.^
Job
  • We’re hiring a RICtoday Sales Executive to lead our Richmond, VA advertising relationships. Additionally, this individual would have the opportunity to sell across all 25 of our 6AM City markets, pitching the most relevant and modern media offering in town while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. Learn more + apply.
 
 
Civic
 
Share your City Charter thoughts
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The current charter is from 1948. | Photo by @takeone.aerial
The current City Charter of Richmond dates back to 1948, but it’s been almost two decades since the city took a good hard look at it. Last March, City Council adopted an ordinance to establish the City Charter Review Commission, which has been conducting a comprehensive analysis of the document.

Now, the commission is asking Richmonders to take a quick survey to share their opinions on the charter.

The survey is open to all City of Richmond residents and asks questions about experiences living in the city and interacting with local government.

There is also section devoted to the perceived differences between the Mayor-Council and Council-Manager forms of government. Richmond switched from a Council-Manager to a directly elected mayor system in 2004.

Want more background on the City Charter Review Commission? Click the button below for 5 things to know.
 
The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt Today’s edition by:
Robin
From the editor
We got some great questions to jump-start the Richmond Mysteries series — including some road/street history and local cat lore. I’m already diving in to a few, but feel free to keep submitting questions.
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