Shockoe developers to defer third phase

The developers of the Shockoe Center ballpark plan say they'll forgo indefinitely their project's third phase to ease concerns about construction near the Lumpkin's slave-jail site.

In light of a request by Mayor Dwight C. Jones and concerns of the Richmond Slave Trail Commission, the developers are proposing to defer all construction west of the Main Street Station train shed until studies determine the land's historical significance.

Last month, Jones asked the developers and other groups to try to resolve conflicts between their plans for the Bottom, specifically the Shockoe Center project, a bus transfer center, the city's slave-trail project and the possible extension of high-speed rail to Main Street Station.

Jones has been kept abreast of the changes but isn't ready to declare them acceptable or complete, press secretary Tammy D. Hawley said.

The developers of Shockoe Center said this week that they believe they've responded sufficiently.

The $90 million third phase calls for a hotel and an office tower. Without that phase, Shockoe Center would represent an investment of about $228 million.

While details aren't clear, the developers also are offering to help the Slave Trail Commission establish a black-heritage museum, genealogical research center or a similar project in the city-owned Seaboard Building, as well as a foundation to help provide funding for commission projects.

Further, the developers say they are committing to hire an archaeologist to handle any artifacts unearthed during construction and to install historical monuments or markers as part of their development.

"We certainly hope that it resolves any conflicts, but obviously that's not our call. That'll be up to the Slave Trail Commission," Shockoe Center spokesman Pete Boisseau said.

Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond and chairwoman of the Slave Trail Commission, acknowledged progress but said she's not ready to declare the projects conflict-free. "I think it's works in progress," she said.

An agreement also has been reached to settle differences between Shockoe Center and GRTC Transit System's bus transfer center, which is planned for the train shed at Main Street Station.

Shockoe Center is giving up a parking lot that was planned on the northern end of the shed because that's where GRTC needs to build ramps allowing buses to reach the shed's second level.

John M. Lewis Jr., GRTC's chief executive officer, said he has agreed to pursue alternative routes to keep buses from cutting through Shockoe Center. Specifically, that means pursuing direct access between the transfer center and East Broad Street, an option initially considered problematic from a traffic-engineering standpoint, he said.

"It was a big deal to us," Boisseau said. A flow of buses through Shockoe Center "would affect the entrance to the ballpark and the pedestrian-friendly environment around the Farmer's Market."

David Napier, president of the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association, applauded the change, saying he's worried what would happen when buses encountered large vehicles stopping for deliveries in the Bottom.

"With or without Shockoe Center, it's definitely better to not kill the neighborhood," he said.

Lewis said access between the transfer center and Broad also should alleviate concerns of the Slave Trail Commission because it would mean fewer buses coming from Franklin Street west of Main Street Station, near the Lumpkin's jail site. He said the talks are ongoing, as are those concerning his project and high-speed rail.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .