Downtown Richmond transfer station project advances
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GRTC's latest rendering of its Downtown Transfer Hub at 9th and Clay. Image: Courtesy of GRTC
GRTC's decades-in-the-making downtown transfer station is finally moving onto the next development phase.
Why it matters: The site at 500 N. 10th St. is key to the city's broader City Center redevelopment plan — the 9.4-acre area that includes the Richmond Coliseum.
State of play: Last week, GRTC said its invited four development teams to submit proposals for the mixed-use development that will house GRTC's permanent transfer station hub.
- Plans also call for high-rise near City Hall and the Richmond courthouse to include ground-floor retail with apartments and office space above, plus bathrooms and other amenities for bus riders.
- Once its complete, the development will reconnect East Clay Street between 9th and 10th streets and allow easier pedestrian access to the area.
What they're saying: "Downtown connectivity plays a major role in supporting economic growth, accessibility, and long-term investment in Richmond's urban core," Angie Rodgers, the Richmond Economic Development Authority director, said in a statement.
Between the lines: The 3-acre transfer station site, which was formerly the city's Public Safety Building, was central to the Stoney administration's failed $1.5 billion Navy Hill project.
- That 10-block downtown redevelopment project had hoped to revitalize an underused part of the city, and include a new arena to replace the now long-shuttered Richmond Coliseum.
- So any redevelopment within that footprint is likely helpful for city officials' broader vision for the city center.
What's next: GRTC says it plans to announce the developer by the end of the year.