VCU’s Plans for Ukrops
I couldn’t make it to the VCU presentation about their plans for the old Ukrops at Harrison and Grace. But here’s a great summary from Richmond BizSense.
The gist:
It will probably be another six to eight months before the university begins to make use of the property, according to [University spokesman] Ohlinger. “We need classrooms in the 60 to 80 seat range; the property provides space for about six of those. The second half of the store can be used for book storage, which would free up space in the library that they could use to convert to more technology use,” Ohlinger said. Ohlinger also said the university plans to make use of the parking lot once the current lease is terminated.
http://www.oregonhill.net/2009/01/13/no-alternatives/
Remember when VCU told Oregon Hill, the city, and the state that there was no alternative to demolishing the historic stables and encroaching further into the neighborhood in order to build the massive student recreational center? Now they just happen to buy most of a city block less than a year later from starting the rec center construction?
What the neighborhood needs is another grocery store, not a classroom or a rec center.
Kroger is just a few blocks away.
Plus that general area is dominated by VCU anyway