. . . concerns the replacement of coliseums.

Says the guy from the counties…

Honestly, Patrick, get a clue.

Why is the TD still giving this Coliseum stroy news when there are so many more important things going on?

The priorites in this City are really screwed up.

For those of you concerned about the dynamic new architecture of VCU bldgs.,apparently you did not see the bldgs. it replaced. The same goes for the Convention Center area. If it was not for VCU and State building programs in downtown—it would be a slum. They have “saved” it from itself.

Scott, that’s funny. Like you I do not see (downtown’s) recent buildings as being very appealing. In fact, the person who thinks them to be attractive must be on some really hard drugs. Or something.

The dorms at Broad n Belvidere, for example. A big shoe box with windows. The Richmond Convention Center…a big shoe box with few windows. To look at both of these is to look at a warehouse for second-hand furniture.

Both of these newer complexes could have been designed with far more pride than they were. I don’t know what’s going on with this.

I question whether or not VCU’s real estate empire will be the best use of taxpayer dollars. Watch out for the downside of the demographic curve.

I am also wondering if VCU is attempting to rebuild the prison from the looks of the architecture sprouting on Belvidere.

Can we get a greenway to connect the James River Park to Monroe Park and beyond? The East Coast Greenway is coming to intersect with the Capitol Trail !

Please, no new coliseum for the area. There is nothing presented at the coliseum that I want my Chesterfield tax dollars to support. Aside from safety and travel, forgot parking, it makes no financial sense for the metro area. Anyone ever try to get an NCAA regional ticket-good luck!

Please, no criticism of VCU/MCU buildings and plans to build—they have saved what little of downtown there is to save. Check out 4th & Main, then look West toward the Boulevard—see anything new? Nothing since 1967. Prison was torn down along with Wonder Bread, guess who is leading the revival? Both the State and VCU have taken over the north side of Broad—getting rid of slummy Jackson Ward and adjacent areas. Hats off to VCU.

Hitting people in the wallet is good, Larry, but physical labor is better.

My kids still have nightmares about the giant tv cabinet with a million nooks and cranies they had to polish for breaking curfew or some other serious misdemeanor. Yard work that their friends down the street could watch them sweat over while they played was good, too. Grounding to their rooms with their record players didn’t bother anyone much.

My idea for reducing jail space, Margie, might also help to solve transportaion budget issues: When someone is caught driving drunk TAKE THE CAR. Then sell it if the person is found guilty. Hell-OOO? Same thing for people getting caught driving on suspended licenses.

Concerning many VA localities, you and everyone else may be genuinely surprised how many people (X the months given) take-up jail space, just over driving charges. Take their cars—or the cars of the people stupid enough to let the idiots drive them—and sell them. Put the money toward a transportation need.

Two birds killed with one stone and not a day of (useless) jail time. Of course I realize that a different issue will quickly arise: How would Virginia cope in breaking its strong addiction to jails?

It might help clear up some of the need for space if judges put their imaginations to work and found community work for the misdemeanor offenders to do, or those waiting for trial on non-violent charges in lieu of bail. Maybe the court could hold their car titles? Wonder how much money they could save if an inmate was mopping floors at MCV instead of sitting on the floor of the jail because there is no bed and learning to lose money playing poker. Or if less street-smart, in fear of the predators.

I strongly agree on the new jail Margie; as you know they announced their plans for one—a couple of new stories added onto the old one!!! Get a load of that, would you? That’s their big idea of an overhaul. After all of that hot air…

I am from the school of: When change is needed you must change EVERY-thing.

I certainly wouldn’t be against putting an ACTUAL NEW modern jail on the present Coliseum site—I’ve often thought that the old Cloverleaf Mall would be ideal. But, no, it turns out the ‘new’ jail will only be an addition to the old one. Richmond’s own worst enemy is Richmond.

Really amusing, but I’d druther the money be spent elsewhere. Richmond, don’t you dare think about building anything till you have a new jail!

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