RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)–On Monday City Council voted 9-0 to transfer the parcel of property owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority and known as the Diamond, for the purpose of owning, maintaining or operating a stadium, arena, or sport facility.
A vote on the ordinances had been delayed several times since being introduced by Mayor Jones in October.
The first ordinance is a release of easement for the purpose of parking located in the vicinity of North Boulevard, Robin Hood Road and Hermitage Road. The second ordinance addressed the parcel sitting at 3003 N. Boulevard.
The ordinances came before the “Loving RVA” Shockoe Bottom baseball stadium plans were introduced, which led critics to proclaim a sneak attack by the mayor. They said the ordinances must then assume the Shockoe deal was in the bag.
Others defended the ordinances and their timing. They said that a big issue of the 2014 General Assembly will be over equalizing RMA representation, in which the city could lose some influence. Chesterfield and Henrico are seeking equal representation now that debts to Richmond have been paid off, that helped finance the expressway system.
Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall saidthey didn’t want the transfer of the Diamond parcel to get caught up in that issue.
What’s happens next remains to be seen.
