RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- The once withdrawn proposal for a new baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom is coming back. Today, Mayor Dwight Jones made it clear he was not going to back away from the Shockoe Stadium plan.
In May, Mayor Jones took his proposal off the table before City Council members had a chance to shoot it down. The plan called for building a stadium and ballpark in downtown Richmond.
Now, nearly a month later, Mayor Jones says he hasn't let go of the plan and is trying to find a way to make it work for everyone.
"We are continuing to work on an economic development plan that will expand the tax base for the City of Richmond."
The mayor said "yes" in response to CBS 6 Reporter Sandra Jones' question if the plan involved baseball. Sandra also asked the mayor why he thought so many Richmonders were against the proposed stadium in the first place.
"People are resistant to change," Mayor Jones said. "I think that's one reason - and you know, this is a big money deal."
Mayor Jones says he's keeping his eye on the 60 acres around the Diamond that is the considered prime real estate.
"So, what you're doing, is if you live in the City of Richmond is you're building county schools, you're building county infrastructure which is not a bad thing. I'm not against that. But we also need to take care of home."
A group of Shockoe Bottom residents and business owners showed their support of bringing more economic development to the neighborhood.
However, opposition against the stadium is still out there, too. Veronica Worrell lives in the area and said she thinks a new stadium is unnecessary.
"We really don't need it down there." Worrell said. "I think it should stay on the Boulevard."
When asked when the new plan is expected to be released, the mayor said "as soon as we can get it out."
CBS 6 will keep you updated on this developing story.
