Then the point SEEMED to have become moot, when the big push to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom fizzled. But the curious notion of stuffing a minor league baseball stadium into the Bottom wasn't as dead as it seemed, it didn't stay in its grave.
Now, with renewed talk in the air about moving pro baseball away from its North Boulevard home turf (since 1954), Councilman Charles Samuels has decided that he wants the voters to weigh in, at long-last, to provide some guidance to City Council.
Accordingly, Samuels will call for a referendum to settle the issue at Monday's City Council meeting (June 24). The message below (with its two attachments) is from Samuels:
The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, North Central 2nd Voter District
Regarding: Richmond City-Wide Referendum on Baseball Stadium
Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – "Today I am releasing, prior to Richmond City Council formal introduction, draft versions of the necessary Council legislation to start the process for a Richmond City-Wide Referendum to be added to the November ballot. The referendum will help Richmond City Council to determine where the residents of Richmond wish a baseball stadium to be located. This legislation will be introduced during the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on Monday, June 24, 2013. The question on the referendum boils down to this:
Do the citizens of Richmond want baseball to remain on Boulevard?
The purpose of releasing this legislation prior to its formal introduction is to encourage public comment and dialogue. I invite interested residents to submit their comments by email, mail, fax or telephone but I would appreciate written comments."
*
[To be] INTRODUCED: June 24, 2013
AN ORDINANCE No. 2013-
To prohibit the use of City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium.
Patron – President Samuels
Approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney
PUBLIC HEARING: AT 6 P.M.
WHEREAS, baseball has been played in the City of Richmond at The Diamond, at 3001 North Boulevard, since 1985; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, considerable discussion in the Richmond region has revolved around whether a new baseball stadium should be built at a location in the city other than in the North Boulevard area, such as the Shockoe Bottom area of the city; and
WHEREAS, all proposals to date for a new baseball stadium to replace the Diamond have included participation with regard to financing and real estate by the City; and
WHEREAS, the City has the power to sell, lease, dispose of City-owned real estate and to control and regulate the use and management of City-owned real estate pursuant to section 2.03(g) of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2010), as amended, and the power to acquire, own and make use of real estate pursuant to section 18.01 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2010), as amended; and
WHEREAS, in the opinion of the Council of the City of Richmond, it is in the best interests of the city of Richmond that no City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west shall be used for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That no City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west shall be used for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
*
[To be] INTRODUCED: June 24, 2013
A RESOLUTION No. 2013-R
To order the submission to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond of Ord. No. 2013-___, concerning a prohibition on the use of City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium for an advisory referendum thereon.
Patron – President Samuels
Approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney
PUBLIC HEARING: AT 6 P.M.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2013-___, introduced on June 24, 2013, proposes to prohibit the use of City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with section 3.06.1 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2010), as amended, the Council of the City of Richmond is authorized to request the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond to order the submission of any proposed ordinance to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond for an advisory referendum thereon;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
1. That the Council determines that it is advisable and in the best interests of the City of Richmond to conduct an advisory referendum on the following question: Should the City Council of the City of Richmond adopt Ordinance No. 2013-___ to prohibit the use of City-owned or City-acquired real estate not located within the area of the city bounded by Interstate 64 / 95 to the north, Hermitage Road to the east, West Leigh Street to the south and North Boulevard to the west for a baseball stadium or facilities ancillary to a baseball stadium?
2. That to that end, the Council hereby orders, and requests that the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond order, that an advisory referendum be conducted on the particular question stated above, it being the desire of the Council that the referendum take place in conjunction with the next general election on November 5, 2013.
3. That the City Attorney is directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond and to take all other necessary action with regard thereto, including, but not necessarily limited to, forwarding a certified copy of this resolution, along with other supporting documentation, to the United States Department of Justice for approval of the advisory referendum pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
*To contact Samuels about this matter call him at: (804) 646-6532; or send him an email at: charles.samuels@richmondgov.com
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