10.03.2023

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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

💸 Squirrels make off-season money moves

Flying Squirrels pledge $3 million yearly lease for new ballpark

Fans sit in the bleachers of the Diamond.

Hundreds of thousands of fans flocked to the Diamond this summer. | Photo by RICtoday

The Flying Squirrels have reportedly pledged $3 million a year to lease the new ballpark promised as part of the Diamond District. The fee is 15 times what the organization currently pays to lease the Diamond, and would be the highest in Minor League Baseball.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, this would increase the organization’s influence on the stadium’s design. The project is also moving forward with a different developer, Odell Associates Inc., rather than the originally selected DLR Group.

The annual payment will reportedly be offset by contributions from VCU, since the baseball program shares the space. The Squirrels also plan to court a naming-rights deal.

Diamond District Renderings — RVA Diamond Partners was chosen to lead the Diamond District development project.
|
Image via city documents

The new design team and possible name deal could mean a fresh look for Richmond’s new stadium. Odell’s porfolio of entertainment venues includes BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, NC. It has also published renderings for an indoor athletic complex in Henrico.

Odell was initially part of the Richmond Community Development Partners group, one of three teams invited to respond to the Diamond District RFO last year. RVA Diamond Partners wound up being chosen.

As far as naming rights, RTD reports that CarMax could be an early favorite to secure the deal.

The most recent Flying Squirrels season, which wrapped up last month, brought 428,541 fans to the Diamond — enough to earn the Squirrels the title of Double-A Attendance Champions. The season was also the last full-time outing for Todd “Parney” Parnell, who stepped down as CEO to take a less strenuous position as a team adviser.

Construction on the new stadium is expected to begin in April 2024. The city wants it done by the end of 2025 and ready for Squirrels fans on opening day in 2026.

Asked

What do you think the new diamond should be named?

We’re partial to the Bagel the Beagle Memorial Ballpark. Give us your best local suggestion and you could be featured in a future newsletter.

Pitch your idea

Events

Tuesday, Oct. 3

“Hocus Pocus” | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Spend your evening with the Sanderson Sisters at this screening of the Halloween classic.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

VCU Men’s Soccer vs. Dayton | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 7-9 p.m. | Sports Backers Stadium, 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond | $5-$10 | Cheer on the Rams at home.

Thursday, Oct. 5

Austin Plaine w/ M. Dunton | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 7 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $12 | Spend an evening with two Nashville-based singer-songwriters.
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $23 | The Americana act will play with Josiah and the Bonnevilles.

Friday, Oct. 6

Manchester Manifest First Fridays | Friday, Oct. 6 | 5-11:59 p.m. | Hull Street, 11th-14th Streets, Richmond | Free entry | Head to Manchester for a the last monthly vendor fair of the season.
Artspace RVA Exhibit Opening | Friday, Oct. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Artspace Gallery, 2833-A Hathaway Rd., Richmond | Free | Check out new exhibitions including painting, photography, and mixed media works.

More October events

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

What’s your JoCo vibe?

In addition to a plethora of restaurants, wineries such as Hinnant Winery dot the JoCo countryside. | Photo provided by Johnston County Visitors Bureau

Fall is the perfect time to travel — and Johnston County, NC (known as JoCo) has the scenery, activities, and culinary experiences to make a weekend with friends, the fam, or your honey memorable.

So what’s your vibe? Here are our recs for a weekend in JoCo (just ~2.5 hours away):

🍻 Craft beverage trail

Can’t get much better than the Beer, Wine, and Shine Trail, a first-of-its-kind North Carolina trail featuring tours, tastings, and more at eight craft bev locations (two wineries, four breweries, and two distilleries).

Pro tip: For a weekend getaway, snag the Sip & Stay Package.

🛍️ Shopping

Shop ‘til you drop in the Outlet Capital of North Carolina — or wander JoCo’s many historic main streets to peruse locally-owned shops.

🎥 A dose of history

See JoCo’s historic attractions that include the Ava Gardner Museum, Museum of Local History, and more.

🥾 Outdoor adventures

Kayaking, biking, or hiking? From river excursions to endless trails (and more), JoCo has it all.

See fall events + plan your trip

News Notes

Opening

OMG OCPs, the bakery specializing in oatmeal cream pies, is hosting a grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 7. Owner Erin Kennedy will welcome customers at her Shockoe Bottom storefront at 11 a.m.

Traffic

Watch out for slower traffic near the intersection of Hull Street and Broad Rock Road from today until Thursday, Oct. 5. Crews will be installing a traffic signal pole, so the southwest corner and curb lane will be closed. Work is scheduled for 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day.

Development

Crews have broken ground on The Ace, an upcoming mixed-use project on Arthur Ashe Boulevard across from Scott’s Addition. The $98 million project will bring commercial space and 295 apartments to the former site of the Buz and Ned’s and Car Pool Car Wash buildings. (Richmond BizSense)

Transit

GRTC has a new Chief Development Officer. Stefan Marks will help lead the transit company’s pursuit of ongoing expansion projects. His previous roles include Director of Planning and Scheduling in New Orleans and Director of Business Development with Connectpoint, a transit-centered digital signage company.

Biz

A Florida-based holding company called Healthier Choices Management Corp. has acquired local grocery store Ellwood Thompson’s. HCMC operates a number of health food stores in Florida, New York, and New Jersey. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Festival

The Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival returns on Saturday, Oct. 21, and the party is shifting to a new location at the Bon Secours Training Center. Want to get involved? Sign up to volunteer.

Arts

A new exhibit opens at The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design this Friday, Oct. 6. “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” will showcase advocacy posters from around the world. It’ll remain at the museum until Feb. 18. Admission to The Branch is pay-what-you-wish; there’s a $5 suggested fee.

History

There will be a number of floral festivities at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture this weekend. The museum will host “History Blooms” from Oct. 6-8 in partnership with Garden Club of Virginia. See floral displays inspired by the museum’s exhibits and check out special events.

Film

Calling all film and flying enthusiasts. The Chesterfield County Airport is hosting an open house and outdoor screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 5:30 until 10 p.m. The free event will also include aircraft displays, food trucks, popcorn, and a raffle.

Sports

The Kickers have a few games left for this season, but the organization is also gearing up for the future. It’ll host a Pro Combine in December at Ukrop Park for eligible college seniors, qualified free agents, and amateur players who want to try their hand — or foot? — at the pros.

Wellness

Make this fall a season of personal growth and warmth. Nearly 5 million people get professional online therapy with BetterHelp — try it for 25% off today.*

Pets

🐾 Looking for a furry friend?

Two adoption events coming up in October

You could adopt one of these pups at Ashton Creek Vineyard. | Photos via Capital Area Rescue Effort

Mark your calendar for two events coming up this month to help local animals find forever homes.

On Sunday, Oct. 8, Capital Area Rescue Effort and Ashton Creek Vineyard will host Canines Uncorked. The fundraising event is free to attend and will include raffles and live music by Zendicate. Feel free to bring a chair, picnic blanket, and your pup — don’t forget a leash. Money raised will benefit adoptable dogs at the shelter.

Then, on Friday, Oct. 13, Richmond Animal Care and Control is getting in the Taylor Swift spirit with $13 adoption fees all day. You can register in advance starting this Friday, Oct. 6. Here’s where we would normally include a number of Taylor Swift references, but RACC beat us to it. We guess that’s Karma.

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The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

Once the new ballpark construction starts, it’ll be interesting to watch the new stadium go up adjacent to the Diamond. There’ll be at least two more seasons in the old digs while the new park is being built.

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