Comparing two of Richmond's ballpark options

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: June 14, 2009

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• Transformation theme shared by ballpark plans

• Comparing two of Richmond's ballpark options

Shockoe Center

Proposal: A downtown ballpark as a catalyst for revitalization. The ballpark area would include residential, hotel, retail and restaurant space.

Location: The ballpark would be framed by East Broad Street, North 18th Street, East Franklin Street and Ambler Street.

Cost: $318 million for the entire project, which involves a $60 million ballpark.

Ballpark capacity: 8,500.

Features: Party decks, picnic area, grass berms, walkway around field, 24 suites, playground, computer-gaming area, high-definition scoreboard, Wi-Fi, capability of use for community-oriented events.

Well-played: The ballpark would be nestled into Shockoe Bottom's fabric, not an enormous structure looming over the area. The field would be 20 feet below concourse level.

Manager: Highwoods Properties is the developer.

Ballpark financing: Tax revenue generated by the ballpark and attached development would be used to pay the bonds related to stadium construction. Project planners have not envisioned the city backing bonds, but consultants hired by the city suggested city support could be needed to make the project viable.

Status: The city continues to study the Shockoe Center proposal, publicly released in October 2008.

Double-play: The ballpark's concourse would provide emergency access for the facility and attached buildings, allowing development in a flood plain that otherwise would not be possible.

Pluses: A new ballpark. Long-term stability for professional baseball in Richmond. Urban-renewal opportunity for an underachieving city sector. Chance for formal recognition of historic areas.

Minuses: Financing questions. Pricey in difficult economic times. Parking. Vehicular access. Neighborhood objections. Presence of historic sites in vicinity.

The Boulevard

Proposal: Transform The Diamond, which opened in 1985, into what the developer calls "a state-of-the-art ballpark and community activity venue." New retail space also would be included.

Location: On the footprint of The Diamond, on the Boulevard, next to the Ashe Center.

Cost: $28 million.

Ballpark capacity: 8,500.

Features: New entrance in center field near parking, walkway around field, 16 suites, high-definition scoreboard, new elevator, new lighting, new sound system, new clubhouses, new concession stands, new restrooms, conference center, picnic deck, concert possibilities, playground with carousel and bumper boats, winter ice-skating, year-round skateboard park.

Well-played: The Diamond's concrete roof and upper deck would be removed. The developer includes a provision for a life-skills center for at-risk teenagers.

Manager: Opening Day Partners of Annapolis, Md.

Ballpark financing: Not detailed yet by OPD, which first wants to know the franchise that will play in Richmond and the composition of its ownership group. Contributions from city and neighboring counties, through the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, may be available. They favored a proposed $18.5 million renovation of The Diamond in 2004 that did not proceed.

Status: ODP's chairman, Peter Kirk, released the plan last week and hopes to meet with city and RMA officials.

Double-play: The RMA, which owns and operates The Diamond, five years ago spent $418,000 on a new field and a drainage and irrigation system. That, and a portion of the lower deck, would be about the only things preserved from the current facility.

Pluses: Reasonable price in difficult economic times. Vehicular access. Parking. Enhancement of Richmond baseball's historic home.

Minuses: A transformed ballpark is not a new ballpark. Quick fixes have been known not to address long-term necessities. Financing questions.