Richmond City Council Reporter and Telegraph: Redskins/Bon Secours Giveaways & Riverfront Plan Delayed Amid Chaos

Monday, November 12, 2012

Redskins/Bon Secours Giveaways & Riverfront Plan Delayed Amid Chaos

Part 1/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Prayer, Pledge, Veterans' Day - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The meeting started late as usual at 6:24 PM. The meeting opened with a prayer by Samuel Patterson, Council woman Cynthia Newbille's Council Liaison [7th District], followed by the Pledge of Allegiance [1:10]. Then City Clerk Alvin Anderson reviewed the evacuation procedure in case of an emergency [1:30]. Council President Kathy Graziano made a special announcement recognizing Veterans' Day and asked veterans to stand and be recognized [2:39].

Part 2/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Awards Period - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Award recipients included the YWCA and YMCA, both celebrating their 125th Anniversary. Other honorees included the American Youth Harp Ensemble, Virginia Choristers, Saint Bridget Parish Girl Choir and Parish Boy Choir "to recognize...their accomplishments and being invited to perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' prestigious Alice Tull Hall in New York City on April 27, 2013."

Part 3/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Redskins & Bon Secours Giveaway - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Richmond City Council approved by a vote of 6 to 2 with Councilmen Bruce Tyler [1st District] and Chris Hilbert [3rd District] in the minority, Resolution 2012-R141 which expressed the Council's support for the proposal to bring the Washington Redskins' training camp to Richmond for 3 weeks a year for the next 8 years and to build for the team a $10 million facility at no cost to the $1.6 Billion NFL team.

Bon Secours has agreed to put up $6.4 million in exchange for naming rights and to receive a "sweetheart" deal to lease the former Westhampton School located at Patterson and Libbie Avenue for $5,000 a year for the next 60 years! The 6.5 acre property is assessed at $7.5 million.

There is a good article on the matter at Style Weekly.

A presentation was made to the Council by Mayor's Chief of Staff Suzette Denslow [1:54].

Citizen Comments opposed to the proposal begin at 26:10 with Chris Dorsey, followed by many others.

Comments in support came from individuals representing the Chamber of Commerce, Jack Berry from the Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Richmond Sportsbackers, and several others beginning at 1:13:00.