Regional and Corporate Study to Begin This Week on the Future of the Richmond Coliseum

The firms of Barrett Sports Group, LLC., Populous and Weston Sports have been contracted to jointly conduct a Market Validation and Financial Feasibility study on the future of the Richmond Coliseum. The corporate and public partners of Altria Group Inc., Dominion Resources Inc., Genworth Financial Inc., MeadWestvaco, and the City of Richmond, unanimously chose the team after conducting a series of interviews with the four finalists. Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Henrico County have been supportive of these efforts.

“This is the first step towards charting the city’s and region’s direction where our coliseum needs are concerned,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. “This type of regional and corporate partnership is a sign of our strong metropolitan region. Collaboration such as this will aid us as we prepare for future growth while providing a quality sports and entertainment venue for the residents of Central Virginia.”

The Barrett team had extensive and direct experience in performing similar studies for a variety of sports venues throughout the country. Barrett Sports Group is a boutique consulting firm providing strategic management consulting services to the sports and entertainment industry. Populous is the largest sports architecture firm in the world, offering comprehensive design services, master planning, interior design, sustainable design consulting, environmental graphics and way-finding, and facilities operations analysis. Weston Sports and Entertainment is a professional consulting firm specializing in the construction, development and management of sports arenas and multi-purpose venues.

The Barrett team will be inspecting the Richmond Coliseum and conducting a kick-off meeting with the Coliseum Study Group this week. It is the intent of the Coliseum Study Group to perform the study and deliver a report within a 12 to 16 week period. The corporate partners have agreed to pay for the study which is estimated to cost no more than $150,000.

###

Mayor's Order #2010-02

Pursuant to Mayor's Order #2010-02, Mayor Dwight C. Jones created the Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Planning Commission.

The Pedestrian, Bicycling, and Trails Planning Commission has been established to provide the Mayor's Administration with advice on ways to incorporate bicycling and walking as viable methods of transportation in the city of Richmond.

To inform its work, the Commission will review adopted citywide transportation plans, strategies and plans from other jurisdictions. It will make recommendations for policies that support pedestrian and bicycle travel in Richmond. These policies will ensure that our city becomes a community where walking and bicycling are integral parts of the transportation system.

The development of a well-publicized and effective system of pedestrian and bicycle trails could be an effective selling point for economic development and tourism efforts.

The Commission held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. The Mayor also anticipates environmental improvements by reducing the city's dependence on motor vehicles, reducing traffic, and the improvement of residents' health by promoting physical activity.

Mayor's Order #2010-01

Pursuant to Mayor's Order #2010-01, Mayor Dwight C. Jones created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy will work to identify social factors that give rise to the health care problems of Richmond's residents, and develop recommendations that can be implemented both in the short-term and long-term to ameliorate those disparities.

Reports will be developed to identify the city's health priorities including the issue of its health disparities, identifying potential funding necessary to address the priorities, and recommending strategies that the City of Richmond might employ in addressing them.

The Commission shall produce and present the intial plan by August 2010, to embody recommendations that might be adopted as priorities for the city to pursue in making a difference in the lives of our residents.