RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—Two hot button topics brought a full house to city council Monday night; the Riverfront plan and the Redskins training camp measure.
Despite initial concern, the Riverfront Plan was passed unanimously.
Councilman Marty Jewell said that he received a “forest of emails,” from concerned citizens. The James River Association sent out a call to action to contact city council members.
The concern centered on a last minute amendment proposed by land developers, that if passed, would have delayed the draft plan beyond the December 3 deadline, and the current funding put aside to begin implementation on the project would have been lost.
The amendment proposed a change in language on two key land parcels; Mayo Island and USP parcel.
The 5-acre USP parcel, formerly known as the Tarmac property, sits between Great Shiplock Park and Lehigh Cement and has 800-plus feet of river frontage.
Essentially, tonight’s passage of the Riverfront Plan means that the historic view from Libby Hill will be preserved. The plan deferred to language in the City’s Master Plan, which had already been adopted.
A mixed-use urban development will be used, and incorporate public use and a natural area.
“A lot will be done with it, but it cannot be done without commercial development as well and I think this plan address both concerns,” said Councilman Jewell. He said that he was “gratified that so many people worked so hard to get us here, it’s a good plan, it will do us all good for generations to come,” he said.
