Richmond sees new potential for Intermediate Terminal Building
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The Intermediate Terminal Building is at 3101 E. Main St. Image: Courtesy of the City of Richmond
Richmond this week issued a formal request for proposals to redevelop the long-neglected, city-owned Intermediate Terminal Building.
Why it matters: The riverfront property is finally set for a fresh start after years of back-and-forth with Stone Brewing to redevelop the building fell through.
The big picture: The city is ideally looking for someone who will preserve and rehab the 30,000-square-foot, stilted structure, per the RFP.
- Preference will be given to proposals that "leverage nearby outdoor amenities" of the James River-fronting property, which is very close to Rocketts Landing and the city's newish Dock Street Park.
- And developers who partner with local nonprofits or community groups, work with union labor and minority-owned businesses, and create local jobs "will be given particular consideration.'
- The property is assessed at just under $2.1 million, per city records.
Zoom in: Though it's mainly been used for storage in recent years, the Intermediate Terminal Building, built in 1938, is an architecturally noteworthy and historically significant piece of Richmond.
- During RVA's 20th-century trading years, the building stored sugar imported from Cuba, sand, gravel, newsprint, gas and oil.
- The structure was built on concrete reinforced piers due to flooding, and, once upon a time, Richmonders could drive under it.
Flashback: In 2015, Richmond City Council approved $33 million to secure the city as the East Coast production headquarters for California-based Stone Brewing.
- $8 million was earmarked for Stone to open a restaurant and beer garden in the Richmond Intermediate Terminal, but Stone and the city spent years debating the structural soundness of the building.
- The plan never came through. And Richmond never dispensed the $8 million, per BizSense.
Stone was bought by Japan's oldest beer brand, Sapporo, in 2022.
- Its Richmond production facility in Fulton remains open.
What's next: RFP responses are due by Aug. 28.