A proposal to open visitors' center in Main Street Station gains momentum, support from civic leaders. by Chris Dovi
Jim Ukrop is pushing the city to carve out space at Main Street Station for a visitors’ center in hopes of jump-starting tourism.
What’s visible and easily accessible to tens of thousands of travelers each day from Interstate 95, is considered among Richmond’s most recognizable landmarks and is located within walking distance of some of the most historic real estate in what is arguably among the most historic cities in the country?
It’s not a Richmond tourism and visitors’ center located in historic Main Street Station — but it should be, Jim Ukrop says.
Ukrop, local grocer, banker and city booster, says he supports a proposal that envisions repurposing portions of Main Street Station and the massive train shed behind it as a historic tourism interpretive facility and visitors’ center.
The current main visitor center is, in the recent words of the Valentine Richmond History Center’s director, Bill Martin, “buried in the [Greater Richmond] Convention Center” in a hard-to-navigate area of Third Street that lacks convenient or free parking options.
Ukrop says Main Street Station may be the answer.
“It’s right on I-95 there,” Ukrop says. “It seems to me you could create something like they have in Charleston [S.C.] that’s like a welcome center, but as I recall that has a lot more going for it.”
In the interest of full disclosure, Ukrop says the idea is not his: “It was really a guy named Willard Strickland who came in to see me.”
Strickland, a retired area school teacher, is floating the idea among various local power brokers. He also bounced it off of Jim Crupi, the Texas consultant whose commissioned reports have offered advice to the city about getting off its 270-year-old rear to work toward a common goal for economic revitalization. Strickland says Crupi gave him both support and pointers.
“The welcome center emphasizes Richmond’s location as a gateway to the South,” Strickland says, envisioning a center that also serves as a hub partnered with states farther south. “We could brand Richmond as ‘Where the South Begins.’”
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Monday, October 12, 2009 9:30:13 AM by LookingAhead
Clearly Mr. Burger doesn't understand the economics of a convention center and the milions of dollars in economic activity it generates for the region. Those benefits out weigh the cost to operate it. Why do you think most cities have one and many more are building them even when they are projected to lose money. Oh, and don't forget that the hotel bed tax in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover is how it is paid for, not the normal taxes paid by you or me. A recent RTD article also noted the convention center had a record year in a down economy.
Its not going anywhere. Last time i looked, its not white nor does it look like an elephant. Its time to stop looking back and focus on whats ahead.
As for the visitor center, I have been there and it is easy to get to off of I95 with plenty of free parking. A new location may or may not drive more attendance. The location may be more visible, but getting off and on the 95 isn't any easier than the current location.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:02:37 PM by Scott Burger
Again, the article suggests that a different location would better serve visitors. I support that idea.
What to do about the empty space it leaves in the Convention Center? Maybe Bobby Ukrop can attract another volleyball tournament. Maybe house some homeless.
I don't see any reason why we should continue to support the white elephant until it brings in more revenue on its own. Remember, Center Stage was supposed to help fix the Convention Center, according to its boosters.
I agree that its hard to protest the expansion now that its built, but I am not holding my breath either. Millions are getting wasted here.
Scott, I didn't imply demolishing it. I said it would further decrease the convention center's use. If resources have to be devoted to continue to keep the convention center open, doesn't it make sense to get as much use out of it as possible?
I guess the point is that while construction of a convention center that large may have been a mistake, that ship has sailed. What we should be focused on now is making as much use of it as possible. It's not like visitor centers are what attract visitors to Richmond. They simply aid in the visit.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 1:57:36 PM by Scott Burger
FanGuy, read the article. The arguent is that a different location would better serve visitors. That's not to say they are demolishing the Convention Center expansion (even if I do question why it was built in the first place).
"What’s visible and easily accessible to tens of thousands of travelers each day from Interstate 95, is considered among Richmond’s most recognizable landmarks and is located within walking distance of some of the most historic real estate in what is arguably among the most historic cities in the country?"
So what then Scott, it makes sense to take something AWAY from the convention center and thereby further decrease its use? I thought you supported smart growth, not abandoning perfectly good buildings.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 11:40:41 AM by Scott Burger
Look out how much the City of Richmond is spending on supporting the white elephant convention center. Look out how much occupancy it is getting.
I agree with the support of the visitor's center it's a smart idea. I disagree with the notion that the Convention Center has been a mistake. It hasn't. We've seen a major spike in corporate conferences, etc., because of its very existence. The Convention Center adds an exclamation point to our business district. We can get another from easing the commute between the airport and downtown and bolster our rail [the latter of which is in the works].
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 2:54:14 PM by Scott Burger
I like the idea. More and more its obvious that the 'Greater Richmond' Convention Center has been an expensive mistake. Too bad that leadership did not listen more to citizens who spoke against the expansion.
