RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) -- A different kind of game is being played at City Hall, centered around the game of baseball.
Monday night, City Council President, Charles Samuels introduced legislation that would allow residents to decide if baseball should still be played along the Boulevard or elsewhere in the city.
“It's been my experience that people get energized when they feel like their voice is truly being heard and it's hard to think of someone's voice being greater than their vote,” said Samuels.
However, at the same time, Richmond’s Chief Administrative Officer, Byron Marshall told CBS 6’s Lorenzo Hall, that the mayor is pitching his own plan for a baseball stadium.
The mayor doesn’t have long to make his plan public. In two weeks, council members will make a decision about putting it to a referendum and leaving it all in the public's hands
In the meantime, some city residents are already making their opinions known. Ana Edwards told CBS 6 that a stadium in Shockoe Bottom would cover up its past.
“You're talking about eradicating unique historic resources. There is no rebuilding once you take these things down,” says Edwards.
At the same time, another city resident disagreed. Matthew Davey said he wants to preserve the historic sites while still modernizing the area with a baseball stadium.
“Some of these things that are somewhat negative in our history, we have to move past and I think the best way is to find a way to pay for schools and transportation,” said Davey.
Council is expected to make a decision about the referendum on July 8.
