Oct. 16 Newsletter: No fireworks at mayoral debate
Weather: High of 60, partly cloudy
On this date in 1949, the first Tobacco Bowl Festival wrapped up to rave reviews. There was a football game between Richmond and VMI, a parade down Broad Street, and the crowning of a festival queen, which was done by special guest Frank Sinatra.
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Only mayoral 'debate' ends with few disagreements
What was billed as the 2024 campaign's only mayoral "debate" brought little in the way of fireworks.
The televised event saw the five mayoral contenders largely in agreement on the need to reform day-to-day operations at City Hall and produce a better functioning government, though each cited themselves as best equipped to do that.
- All spoke of the need for a better transportation infrastructure, including potentially creating a Department of Transporation.
- Each spoke of a desire to create a world-class park and destination on Monument Avenue, but said they'd want to bring citizens to the table before committing to plans.
- Four of the five declined to commit to lowering the tax rate.
Read the candidates' answers on those topics here.
Council pushes tax rate decision to Oct. 28
As expected, the Richmond City Council chose not to make a decision Tuesday about whether the city’s real estate tax rate should stay the same or drop by a few cents.
With the Nov. 5 elections fast approaching, the council appears divided on a pair of competing ordinances on the tax rate. The council continued the tax proposals until a special meeting scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.
Because property values went up significantly in new assessment notices the city mailed out in early September, state law requires the council to take a public vote on collecting the extra tax revenue or reducing the rate to limit the growth in homeowners’ tax bills.
The council also delayed action on a $2 million proposal to purchase a building at 2310 W. Cary Street to serve as the new shelter for Richmond Animal Care and Control. That issue was continued to the council’s Nov. 12 meeting.
Read more about the meeting here
Allianz strikes sponsorship deal for Richmond's new riverfront amphitheater
The amphitheater being built in downtown Richmond will be called the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront after the insurance company struck a deal to sponsor the venue.
- When it opens next year, the amphitheater will hold around 7,500 people and host a projected 40 shows during the summer music season.
Company representatives would not disclose financial details on how much the sponsorship deal was worth, but said the agreement is for 10 years.
See more photos from the construction site here.
Read our voter guide
With the election less than a month away, The Richmonder has launched a voter guide to inform people about their options and allow them to conduct research on the candidates and their views.
The voter guide will be updated throughout the election season, and is free for all to read, regardless of whether they are a paid member.
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In other news...
- VMFA releases renderings of $261 million expansion project, scheduled to open in 2028 (Press release)
- City of Richmond to construct new bike lanes downtown (WRIC)
- Watch Tuesday night's bilingual mayoral forum (Facebook video)
- Police give new details about incident that led to car crashing into restaurant (NBC 12)
The editor's desk
Richmond's riverfront amphitheater is a genuinely exciting and transformational project, while the VMFA continues its seemingly endless growth pattern by unveiling plans for its newest wing.
Meanwhile, City Council kicked the can on its major issues, and the mayoral "debate" delivered on its hype about as well as the Segway did.
It's an interesting juxtaposition, and we'll keep an eye on all of it - from the halls of power to the growth stories that are powering the community. Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
