Mike Williams’ column: A riverside Richmond ballpark could work
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Mike's Take - Ballpark blues.
Columnist Mike Williams says that if Richmond is serious about bringing back baseball, a stadium site on the south bank of the James is worth a hard look.This column contains no mea culpa, no "I was wrong." Today, the operative phrase is, "I told you so."
If I was mistaken in thinking Shockoe Bottom was a viable and inevitable location for a new baseball stadium, let me now point out that I began advocating a riverfront site for a new ballpark in October 2000.
Now comes Reynolds Packaging Group, which owns almost 18 acres of property on the south bank of the James River between the Manchester and Mayo bridges. It's pitching this site for a minor-league baseball stadium.
"How good would a ballpark look there?" asked John T. "Trib" Sutton III, a senior vice president of the real estate brokerage handling the sale of the property.
It would look like a walk-off home run.
Look, I'm not on a real estate commission. I have no stake in this proposal. As someone who visited The Diamond once or twice a season, I'm not even convinced minor-league baseball is essential in Richmond.
I do believe such a recreational diversion enhances a community's quality of life. And pro sports, even on the minor-league level, have a unique capacity to rally a community. Goodness knows we need rallying.
You won't find me arguing that baseball should be near the top of our list of civic priorities. But if the region is going to build a ballpark -- and this should without question be a regional endeavor -- it will require taxpayer money.
Let's do it right. We can erect a cut-rate ballpark, as we did in 1985. The Diamond was the toast of minor-league baseball on opening day. It was obsolete by the seventh-inning stretch.
How is it that our region can boast of a half-dozen Fortune 500 companies and a fairly lofty average household income, yet plead pauper at the mere mention of the sort of municipal project routinely pulled off in lesser cities nationwide?
Again, there's no concrete proposal on the table for a Manchester ballpark. But any project that opens up the riverfront to the public should be a no-brainer. And a ballpark setting that offers vistas of the James River and downtown skyline would trump anything North Boulevard, Shockoe Bottom or Short Pump could offer.
It's our nature in Richmond to be wary of the unfamiliar, the unconventional or anything that takes us beyond our comfort zones. If you close your eyes, you can hear the chorus: "Can I get in and out of there quickly? What about crime? South Side? Seriously? Who goes there?"
We must stop allowing fear to keep us mired in safe but mundane terrain.
For too long, Richmond has swum against the tide, resisting the tug of the James, which should be the focal point of civic life. Before you dismiss this ballpark idea, head down to Manchester -- Legend's Brewery would be a fine vantage point -- and soak in the possibilities: A waterfront home for say, the Richmond Rapids. Kayakers and canoeists shagging home runs. All brought to you by ESPN SportsCenter if you didn't catch it in person.
Richmond, by virtue of its glorious setting, is equipped to build something no one else can duplicate. The choice is ours.
We can build a ballpark, or we can make a splash.
Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or
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Reader Reactions
A few things:
The orientation of a ballpark should be Northeast (never West).
The Crupi Report suggested a ballpark and a music venue in Manchester….if you take the ballpark suggestion and leave out the music venue nothing would be disturbed, except the soon-to-be-closed Richmond Foil Plant.
P.S. I have nothing to gain from a ballpark in Manchester….Not one coin….I’m not a developer…I’m a school teacher….But this idea has become an obsession (no, let’s call it passion…obsession is such a dark word ;-)
AGAIN, may want to check the regulations on how to build stadiums… they have to follow a specific east to west orientation so they players can play…it’s not all about the view the fan will have while they are watching the game. As Pantele said, it’s not ALL about baseball, it’s about creating an entertainment entity. The National and the Performing Arts Center went on Broad for a reason. The Bottom plan was incorporating the rail, bus, museum, and other entertainment..hence the reason why the Mayor was so excited about it before Bostic/RBC couldn’t show the money (buy team), and Highwoods wasn’t going to assume risk without a team in play. The stadium was ONE component of that plan. As far as the DIAMOND—- go to other markets that have minor league ball, from A to AAA, and then comment that the Diamond is acceptable and a great place to stay. With or without renovation. As far as Diradour’s involvement…he’s a developer and has a lot of money/interest tied to the Boulevard area…he is not the guy he claims to be with no interest on what the final location is. Do a little research and don’t believe everything you read/hear. If this is built without county involvement, I say charge them extra at the gate and concessions, and everywhere else in the city they patron…support the city that is at the hub of your existence, or just shut up and go to your gross abuse of land called the mall.
“How is it that our region can boast of a half-dozen Fortune 500 companies and a fairly lofty average household income, yet plead pauper at the mere mention of the sort of municipal project routinely pulled off in lesser cities nationwide?“
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Who plead pauper? The last time I checked, City Hall spent big money to ram the Shockoe Center deal through. We paid for two expensive studies on the project, the mayor and council signaled they would support the project, the G.A. supported it, and Don McEachin even hosted a minority participation briefing for contractors on the proposed park. The local establishment bent over backwards to make the Shockoe deal happen, so I don’t know why people like Williams are saying things like we “plead pauper.“ The deal fell through because Bostic and RBC didn’t have enough money to buy a team, and because Highwoods didn’t have enough money to build the facility.
The baseball stadium is the most unimportant and frivolous hot button issue our great city faces, bar none.
The Crupi report had some nice ideas… But let’s be realistic. Most of these ideas won’t come to fruition. An amphitheater and a ballpark in the same area? Dream on… Would love to see where that money came from. This is Richmond,VA folks… Take those ideas to some other city that is actually progressive.
While the readers’ debate can rage until the cows come home, the basic question to this issue is do the residents of Richmond end up footing the bill for a stadium, regardless of where it’s built, while the counties sit there fat, dumb, and smug? If the counties don’t contribute to this project then the Richmond leaders need to decide what is BEST for their constituents not county denizens!
As I was reading this article it felt like I was in “The Twilight Zone”. I was discussing this same possibility at a cookout this evening with friends and family and the general consensus was that The James would be an excellent location for a new, Green, Energy Efficient ball park. Hey, it’s tax payer money right?
As for retooling Parker Field, VCU may have some money somewhere to bless their program with a nice home. Is that an ESPN2 truck heading over to cover the Little League or College World Series hosted by those hard headed Fighting Rams? Whatever happens to it I pray that it’s recycled and or renovated with a splash of GREEN.
The thought of inserting the James into any equation regarding “civic life” in the Richmond Tri Cities is a darn good one and it makes sense. The collateral effect would be greater at that location than the old venue. I am sure that those who will be leaving a game would want to do more than see a bus station and a great view of a locked up 95 before they depart. Geeeze, way did I come to this dump!!
The James River is our hook and we should use it to rake in the fun. Don’t’ let those folks who came here after the Powhite come through tell you otherwise.
“Hey kids you guys be safe and where your life preservers in and around the water. Uncle Joseph and I are going to catch the game at the stadium.” Uncle Bob will be here when you get back. His train will be here around the second inning.”
Just imagine………
This idea has been on the table for 2 years. If it was such a great idea, then private investors would be jumping through hoops to get in on this. Instead, the idea is tabled until the taxpayer comes up with the financing. The free market system is the best method for determing where a baseball stadium should be built or if it should be built at all.
Michael Paul Williams, You must own interest in some sort of study business. That’s all Richmond keeps spending thousands of dollars on. Why not keep Parker Field alias the Diamond and use it?
If you want to bring people back to the city try building an amusement park on the site with the beautiful water view.Clean the area out and leave plenty of free parking.
I pitched this idea at the Times Dispatch Public Square back in May - I showed the audience an enlarged picture of the skyline view from the Northeast side of Reynolds Foil Plant. The reaction was very positive.
Yes, page 38 of the 2007 Crupi Report has a couple of renderings of the location and view. I showed the audience an enlargement of that one, too.
Before the Reynolds Plant was available, I e-mailed Wilder and mentioned the corner of Semmes and Cowardin (beside the Sun Trust Building) as a workable location with some modifications.
Folks, I’m certain a ballpark in Manchester will be fabulous and the naysayers will come around.
MPW….I wished you had answered my e-mails on this subject :-) but I’m glad you reinforced the idea of a Manchester Ballpark with this column.
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