The Westhampton School building at the intersection of Patterson and Libbie Avenues is playing a key role in the Redskins to Richmond deal.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – CBS 6 obtained a 17-point memo that details a new plan up for vote tonight when Richmond City Council meets to discuss whether the city will build a new training camp facility for the Washington Redskins.
The new plan seeks to address some concerns that were raised after a deal was announced between the Redskins, Richmond officials and Bon Secours.
Under that deal, Bon Secours would contribute $6 million to help build and maintain the Redskins training facility – behind the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. In exchange, Bon Secours would lease the Westhampton School property, near its St. Mary’s hospital, for $5,000 a year.
Richmond City Councilman Bruce Tyler called that deal "ludicrous" and said the city should instead either lease the property for a minimum of $75,000 or year or sell it for millions of dollars. Since it is a school property, money raised by the sale would go back to Richmond City schools, he argued.
"The way the deal was structured it basically eliminated money going to Richmond Public Schools," Tyler said in a Sunday interviewwith CBS 6 reporter Joe St. George.
According to a document obtained by CBS 6 investigative reporter Catie Beck, Bon Secours lease payment for the Westhampton School property would increase from $5,000 a year to $33,000, under the new deal.
The lease money, plus $195,000 in city funds, would be dedicated for "schools' program enhancements as determined by City Council," according to the document. "This payment would continue for the duration of the Redskins summer training camp in Richmond."
The document indicated the $195,000 figure is based on estimated tax revenue the Redskins training camp would pump into the Richmond economy during the three-week training camp.
Other "enhancements" to the Redskins/Bon Secours Economic Development Package would include:
- Bon Secours would agree to an annual commitment of $100,000 per year for 10 years for capital schools projects.
- Bon Secours would endeavor to maintain the historic nature of the Westhampton School property, especially the right angle facades on Patterson and Libbie Avenues.
- The tot lot behind Westhampton School will be located to a nearby city-owned property of the community's choice. The relocation and upgrade will be at Bon Secours' cost. The maintenance of the tot lot will be the City's cost.
- The Economic Development Authority (EDA) would make a certain number of days [on the fields] available to Richmond Public Schools each year for their use.
Watch the CBS 6 News @ Noon, 5 and 6 for more on this developing story.
