“I’ve talked to [Pantele] about the concept, but that’s all,” Berry says. “I’d think sooner or later we’d be brought into the mix.”
A developer game of chicken has emerged since the Richmond Braves announced their intention to build a stadium in Shockoe Bottom: Who will come forth with the best, most economically viable proposal?
The mayor first announced that un-identified developers had offered alternate proposals for the Bottom. And Pantele recently proclaimed that several developers had expressed interest in The Diamond and about 30 acres of city-owned land around the field for a retail and entertainment complex.
“Have I talked to substantial developers who have expressed interest? The answer is yes,” Pantele says.
But Berry’s phone’s been quiet.
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Pantele says, because developers wouldn’t necessarily need the property. A development “could be wrapped around The Diamond,” he says.
Pantele says more information is on the way. “There is hopefully going to be a process shortly to ask any interested [developers] to submit development proposals,” he says. — SScott Bass
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