A newer rendering of the Diamond District stadium entrance was filed with the city in recent weeks. (City documents)
More tangible signs that the Diamond District baseball stadium is moving forward are showing up at Richmond City Hall.
A site logistics plan for construction of the new ballpark was filed with the city late last week, along with a building permit application for temporary construction trailers.
A new rendering of the ballpark’s entrance has been filed, as have the project’s full set of design development documents – the last round of documents needed before construction plans are filed.
LaBella’s design development documents include elevations of the ballpark as it would be viewed from the field.
The logistics plan and application for the trailers were filed Friday, two days after the city secured financing for the stadium with $130 million in general obligation bonds. The bond sale was finalized last Wednesday and is scheduled to close today, July 30.
Friday’s City Hall filings were made by Gilbane Building Co., which has taken over as the general contractor for the stadium from previous GC Whiting-Turner. The switch is the latest in a roster change that results from an arrangement allowing the Richmond Flying Squirrels to take the lead on the stadium’s design and development, working with consultant Machete Group.
Leading the ballpark’s design are LaBella Associates, Ballpark Design Associates and KEI, which took over for previous stadium designer DLR Group and development consultant JMI Sports.
An earlier rendering of the 10,000-seat stadium, which would feature upper-level suites above concourse seating.
The latter two firms, along with Whiting-Turner and KEI, were part of the RVA Diamond Partners group led by Thalhimer Realty Partners, Loop Capital and Republic Properties that made up the initial team that won the Diamond District project in 2022 following a competitive solicitation process by the city.
Gilbane and LaBella, then known locally as Odell, had been on the runner-up team that was led by Machete, a Houston-based venue advisory and development management firm that has been formally consulting the Flying Squirrels for several months.
With the ballpark portion of the project now led by the Squirrels, Thalhimer and Loop earlier this year formed a new development group, Diamond District Partners, without previous collaborator Republic Properties, to oversee the project’s mixed-use sections.
Bulldozers and dump trucks were active on the stadium site this week. (Jonathan Spiers photo)
Republic’s parent company responded with a $40 million lawsuit last week against TRP and Loop, which it said violated the terms of their venture partnership when the new group signed on to develop a 30-acre first phase of the 67-acre project. TRP’s parent, local commercial real estate firm Thalhimer, responded in a statement that Republic had put in writing that it intended to exit the project.
The financing for the stadium, to be paid for using tax revenues generated by the supporting mixed-use development, was one of the last remaining steps needing to be taken before construction could start on the project.
Still needed are signed lease and development agreements for the stadium between the Flying Squirrels and Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, as well as a lease agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University, which will also use the new EDA-owned 10,000-seat ballpark that will replace The Diamond.
In announcing the stadium bond sale last week, the city said the project is set to break ground in August, with stadium construction to start in the fall and the first-phase hotel, retail and residential development starting early next year.
The site logistics plan shows the stadium site with construction staging areas. The area is between The Diamond and the railroad tracks to the south.
The site logistics plan for the stadium work, prepared for LaBella by engineering firm Kimley-Horn, shows the area south of The Diamond will be fenced off with a short-term construction staging area alongside Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Gilbane’s trailers and additional staging off Avenue of Champions closer to Hermitage Road. The stadium site is between The Diamond and the railroad tracks on parcels at 2907 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. and 2728 Hermitage Road.
The city is aiming for the stadium to be completed and open in time for the 2026 baseball season, in order to meet new facility standards required by Major League Baseball for all pro baseball venues.
A newer rendering of the Diamond District stadium entrance was filed with the city in recent weeks. (City documents)
More tangible signs that the Diamond District baseball stadium is moving forward are showing up at Richmond City Hall.
A site logistics plan for construction of the new ballpark was filed with the city late last week, along with a building permit application for temporary construction trailers.
A new rendering of the ballpark’s entrance has been filed, as have the project’s full set of design development documents – the last round of documents needed before construction plans are filed.
LaBella’s design development documents include elevations of the ballpark as it would be viewed from the field.
The logistics plan and application for the trailers were filed Friday, two days after the city secured financing for the stadium with $130 million in general obligation bonds. The bond sale was finalized last Wednesday and is scheduled to close today, July 30.
Friday’s City Hall filings were made by Gilbane Building Co., which has taken over as the general contractor for the stadium from previous GC Whiting-Turner. The switch is the latest in a roster change that results from an arrangement allowing the Richmond Flying Squirrels to take the lead on the stadium’s design and development, working with consultant Machete Group.
Leading the ballpark’s design are LaBella Associates, Ballpark Design Associates and KEI, which took over for previous stadium designer DLR Group and development consultant JMI Sports.
An earlier rendering of the 10,000-seat stadium, which would feature upper-level suites above concourse seating.
The latter two firms, along with Whiting-Turner and KEI, were part of the RVA Diamond Partners group led by Thalhimer Realty Partners, Loop Capital and Republic Properties that made up the initial team that won the Diamond District project in 2022 following a competitive solicitation process by the city.
Gilbane and LaBella, then known locally as Odell, had been on the runner-up team that was led by Machete, a Houston-based venue advisory and development management firm that has been formally consulting the Flying Squirrels for several months.
With the ballpark portion of the project now led by the Squirrels, Thalhimer and Loop earlier this year formed a new development group, Diamond District Partners, without previous collaborator Republic Properties, to oversee the project’s mixed-use sections.
Bulldozers and dump trucks were active on the stadium site this week. (Jonathan Spiers photo)
Republic’s parent company responded with a $40 million lawsuit last week against TRP and Loop, which it said violated the terms of their venture partnership when the new group signed on to develop a 30-acre first phase of the 67-acre project. TRP’s parent, local commercial real estate firm Thalhimer, responded in a statement that Republic had put in writing that it intended to exit the project.
The financing for the stadium, to be paid for using tax revenues generated by the supporting mixed-use development, was one of the last remaining steps needing to be taken before construction could start on the project.
Still needed are signed lease and development agreements for the stadium between the Flying Squirrels and Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, as well as a lease agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University, which will also use the new EDA-owned 10,000-seat ballpark that will replace The Diamond.
In announcing the stadium bond sale last week, the city said the project is set to break ground in August, with stadium construction to start in the fall and the first-phase hotel, retail and residential development starting early next year.
The site logistics plan shows the stadium site with construction staging areas. The area is between The Diamond and the railroad tracks to the south.
The site logistics plan for the stadium work, prepared for LaBella by engineering firm Kimley-Horn, shows the area south of The Diamond will be fenced off with a short-term construction staging area alongside Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Gilbane’s trailers and additional staging off Avenue of Champions closer to Hermitage Road. The stadium site is between The Diamond and the railroad tracks on parcels at 2907 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. and 2728 Hermitage Road.
The city is aiming for the stadium to be completed and open in time for the 2026 baseball season, in order to meet new facility standards required by Major League Baseball for all pro baseball venues.
Yet another characterless Scott’s Addition warehouse, but where baseball is played.
41 downvotes… 41 people who obviously have not experienced good baseball stadium design. I’ll grant that the outfield entrance is better, and it seems they’re at least adding some brick on the concourse, but it (As Andrew Smithe’s downrated comment puts it) a Basic B stadium design. Thoughtless, bland, budget. A sellout to a formula & a timeline instead of designing something truly good.
My qualifications to be an “amateur stadium architect”: A “Ballpark Chaser” with more than 50 baseball stadiums visited. You don’t have to be a practicing professional to recognize rushed, lazy ugliness.
The odd and worse part is two part to me…1) Councilmember like Addison were quoted as saying this is needed to help keep tourists happy.. Tourists to metro RVA do not come here nor do they make up any significant percentage of attendance, and 2) remember renderings always look better than the finished product. $130M for THIS! Yikes!
The Joe in Charleston is much nicer and it was built in the mid 90’s? Holds slightly more than half of the reported 10k capacity of this insipid IKEA showroom.
All brick has been eliminated due to budget concerns. It will end up being another mediocre concrete structure with, get this, metal stud and drywall restrooms…..how long will those last?
don’t understand the hate – the full rendering isn’t even contained in this article but you can find it here: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/gilbane-prestige-richmond-baseball-stadium/721941/ Then compare that to Truist in Charlotte, Durham Bulls, 1st Horizon in Nashville, Harbor Park in Norfolk, & other highly rated AAA stadiums and there’s very little difference in configuration. The trend nationwide has gone from building decks up and instead extending them out down the foul lines. I personally prefer to sit lower to the field even if I’m down the line compared to being 5 stories up. Plus, once people pile in there and the game starts… Read more »
So happy to see construction finally start, given that the Squirrels were involved in planning I would have to assume it’s first class, state of the art facility with all the perks they need. However, as others have mentioned it does look very generic in the renderings, I hope the final product has a little more curb appeal for that kind of price tag.
Finally! We ARE keeping the Squirrels and people can continue to enjoy baseball! I really thought it was not going to happen.
Design: Looks easily accessible for those of us with knee issues and about 1000 times better than what is there.
Go Squirrels!
Go Rams!
Basic b stadium
and that’s several letter grades higher than what we have now.
The amateur stadium architects seem to be weighing in early this morning.
What type of experience and/or education should one have before they can form an opinion and , heaven forbid, express it?
Waiting for your professional architectural review.
It doesn’t take an architecture degree to recognize ugly architecture.
Question,how come the design, architectural,and GC are all dropping out?
they didn’t drop out – the City allowed the Squirrels to select the team they wanted to work with and they chose the design/construction group that was part of the team that finished 2nd in the Diamond District bidding.
I’d like to be excited about the new venue, but the design just doesn’t feel like a baseball stadium. I want to be up the rafters enjoying my beer and popcorn when the occasional pop-fly surprises me. Guess I’m old school.
Why the trend to move upper deck seats away from the infield out to the worst viewing angle in baseball – lower level outfield foul ground – is beyond me. Literally half the seats in this stadium design have the worst sightline of any baseball park.
I hope to read one day that a Triple A team will be playing its home games in Richmond again. I’d love to see the Savannah and Jacksonville teams visit us. This will be one heck of a recruiting lure for VCU baseball as well.
Are they seriously going to call it “Diamond District Stadium”? JFC. It’s called the Diamond district because the stadium is called The Diamond.
Definitely a placeholder until they secure corporate naming rights sponsorship. If they’re not partnering with Dominion for “The Dominion Diamond”, they’re doing it wrong – or, even better perhaps, “Corp Name Field at The Diamond”.
Stoney s Statium
He succeeded where Wilder & Jones failed … so yeah!
It still boggles my mind that a 10,000 seat stadium is needed for a team that averages about 6400 fans per game.
Hopefully there will be many concert dates when the Squirrels are on the road.
All Squirrels fans have to brace for higher ticket prices, concession prices, and parking costs.
It’s possible that over time the price increases could affect attendance, which would be a shame.
Well they built as 12,000 seat stadium in 1984 when the Richmond Metro population was about 600K less people than today. At least for the first 5 years they will have no problem selling out that stadium, 6400 is remarkable considering the terrible facility they are in now and 100 degree summer days in Richmond. I know a half dozen business owners who have already told me they would be willing to annual rent a suite or at least fractionally rent one when the new stadium is built.
they are building it with the capacity to return to AAA level baseball.
Another thought … where will the fans park when the second phase of the Diamond District commences. Exiting from parking decks are awful when the game is over.
Just ask anyone who try’s to get out of the deck at JPJ , and JPJ also has has surface parking .
Parking? I’m sure a high percentage of fans will utilize the Pulse to get to and from the new ballpark. 😉
So BizSense is become a local version of the Onion I see.
The sarcasm is kinda needed because there are several groups that stubbornly defy reality and are proud of it. Baseball fans will take the monorail to the Game!!
Or they can just park in Scott’s Addition and walk over to the game.
never been to a Nats game I see
Uh oh…. you said the P word….
😨
Parking garages were the downfall of the Shockoe Bottom site as well, and they were a problem for the Richmond Coliseum concerts (remember the post Springsteen concert disaster?!!). It’s a post-event problem wherever they are built. The new planned arena at the Green City in Henrico has 100% garage parking in mind so IF that arena gets funded, it’ll have the same issue facing it.
Good points, and I think we all know that green city arena is never getting built.
I would tend to agree if Henrico County wasn’t on board. The initial “team” certainly doesn’t have the deep pockets required, however I wouldn’t doubt that it will get built eventually. The county seems to have really embraced the idea and they usually do what they say.
I like the drawings and it’s great to see the stadium finally get started. I’m not a fan of how it is being paid for; however anything is better than the Diamond…especially for ADA compliance. One thing that would have been cool to see is a roll-in-tray field for soccer use as well. Not sure how it could be done – but it would allow for a nice venue for soccer too.
Looks to me like they will have a bunch of fouled-back pitches flying out of the ballpark on to the Blvd. or train tracks. They are going to need a big net up on that roof.
On second thought maybe not. But it looks like balls will be flying out of there.
Truist Field in Charlotte (designed by the same architect) has a net on the roof.
“Still needed are signed lease and development agreements for the stadium between the Flying Squirrels and Richmond’s Economic Development Authority, as well as a lease agreement with Virginia Commonwealth University, which will also use the new EDA-owned 10,000-seat ballpark that will replace The Diamond.”
Jesus! $130 million project predicated upon revenue to pay the bond debt and that revenue has not been secured by a lease. Richmond is a clown show and a fiscal nightmare.
I am certainly looking forward to a new stadium! Having grown up in Richmond and visiting other cities ballparks over the last 10 years, we are way overdue for an upgrade! It doesn’t need to be some architectural masterpiece, but it is looking like it will be a place where friends and family can gather more comfortably for a game, and more accessible. Though parking is always a concern when you are in Richmond… One thing I hope comes from this is a local food joint across the street. It is a bit concerning to see all these fast food… Read more »
Hopefully we’ll see what you’re suggesting once the second part of Phase I is built – the residential/commercial section immediately adjacent to the ballpark. If memory serves, at least some of the proposed buildings would have residential space above ground-floor retail. Probably a safe bet that at least a few eateries and watering holes will open up in some of those retail spaces literally across the (new – to be built) street next to the ballpark, just beyond the bleacher sections.
I would like to see some pedestrian bridges built over the main 4-lane streets so folks can safely get to the stadium and future businesses/housing safely without having to race across the streets trying to beat the traffic, especially families with young children, those pushing strollers, and people in wheelchairs. Frankly, the VCU campus is in need of a few pedestrian bridges as well.