Thread by @rjmarr

The #NavyHill #RVA downtown development plan includes hundreds of pages in two binders. Why so much paper? I took a look. #Thread 1/

The proposal from @LevarStoney 's office includes NINE proposed ordinances (city laws) and one resolution. The resolution is about any future surplus $$. It's non-binding - basically a political statement, not a law, so I will ignore for now. What's in the 9 ordinances? 2/

The first four ordinances (in my count - they're in no particular order) set up the mechanics of the deal - funding, land ownership, and specific actions for the city and developer. 3/

(Ord1) The most important ordinance commits the city to the development agreement - a separate contract that lays out most of the deal’s specifics – what the developer and city each promise to do. 4/

(Ord2) Almost equal importance: an ordinance that creates the special city reserve fund where all the #TIF money will go. (TIF uses future tax revenue from the project to pay back arena loan) 5/

(Ord3-4) Two of the ordinances move land ownership around. One transfers some city-owned land to Richmond’s Economic Development Authority; the other transfers land from EDA to the developers (price is laid out in development agreement) 6/

The other five ordinances modify city rules and regulations to help the developers get the project done (typical in any development project, altho' scope/scale of changes here are much bigger) 7/

(Ord5-6) One ordinance reconfigures “rights of way;” basically, it closes streets and sidewalks for construction and (eventually) pedestrian plazas/public space. An “encroachment” ordinance gives the developers the right to use the closed off spaces for construction. 8/

The final three ordinances make changes to the city’s #zoning regulations (FYI, zoning rules limit what can be built where in a city; this is why you can’t build a Home Depot in the middle of a residential neighborhood) 9/

(Ord7) Biggest zoning ordinance updates city code for Coliseum district, including allowable retail stores, signage, parking, etc. This basically rewrites city’s zoning rules for this area to match the project 10/

(Ord8-9) Second zoning ordinance expands Coliseum district (currently just arena block) to include surrounding blocks. Third ordinance zones some streets as “priority” or “street-oriented commercial” to match their new purpose 11/

Bottom line: all 9 ordinances work together for #NavyHill plan; Council will most likely pass all or none. BUT doesn't mean they are set in stone - Council can negotiate changes with developers. Still, any big changes likely to be to development agreement, not ordinances 12/

A more detailed look here: rvapol.com/blog/2019/8/27… #NavyHill #RVACouncil #RVAMayor 13/End