But I’d just like to see the city step up and act responsibly toward it’s neighborhoods, its would-be thoroughfares, and its fledgling businesses, regardless of the demographics. Of course, input on this matter needs to come form the neighborhoods, and not just potential customers of the new businesses. This “foodie” lives at one end of that footbridge. I’d like to hear from folks on both sides as well as a the 5th District Councilperson.

He said it probably won’t be until early 2010 before the development starts. In the meantime, Eck said he will continue to lay the groundwork by rallying community support and seeking assistance from the city.

Eck offers a simple answer as to how he manages to keep his vacancy rate low and how he continues to build in a down economy: VCU. He said the growing university creates a strong demand for housing in the area, a demand his company has successfully capitalized upon.

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.

This session has been organized in order to provide residents an opportunity to see the proposed development plan, ask questions of the developers, and voice opinions to Council Representatives early in the negotiation process.

The presentation will be held this Tuesday evening, April 21, 2009, in the Binford School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Brian Ohlinger will be highlighting the VCU expansion accomplishments that have occurred since the implementation of the 2004 VCU 2020 Master Plan. He will also cover efforts that are designated ‘Areas of Future Consideration’ under the 2020 Master Plan, including the former Ukrop?s property at Harrison and Grace.

JL: I have 10 underground tanks here, so there needs to be some environmental cleanup, and we will do that once we leave. I believe there is nothing really bad, there is nothing glowing or leaking. We’ll clean up, then our goal is to put this asset on the market. The cleanup will take probably six months to a year. Hopefully in a year and a half or two years, the economy will rebound, and we will be at the right point where we can get a great value for this asset. We’d like to partner with the developer where GRTC can get some long-term revenue over 10 to 15 years in a partnership based on the value of this property and some percentage of increased profits as a result of that development.

So, we’re looking at late 2010 before development takes place, but the rumors are already flying about what will (or should) anchor the development of that area. And it doesn’t mean we can’t start making suggestions. So, Richmond, what’ll it be? What would you most like to see at GRTC site?