[Preservation] Back to basics in shockoe B

[Garland Pollard]

Shockoe Bottom plan focuses on the basics

An advisory group report stresses code enforcement, infrastructure

BY WILL JONES
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Jul 28, 2006

A half-dozen recommendations produced by the Shockoe Advisory Committee
ranged from greater code enforcement to increased public spending on
streetscapes and sewers.

Mayor L. Douglas Wilder acknowledged some disappointment with the 14-month
process but said he did not fault the committee.

The committee was established in May 2005 to review development proposals,
but none, except for a now-dead ballpark plan, was offered.

"I would have liked to have seen more people coming in with recommendations
as to what they wanted to do, and we haven't seen that," Wilder said.

The advisory committee concluded that the proposed ballpark was a big reason
that no one put any other development options on the table. It said
alternate proposals were likely hindered because developers could find other
sites in the city that weren't already under option.

Wilder also said he is committed to greater code enforcement in Shockoe
Bottom as recommended by the committee.

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