Massey Building Converted into Apartments

City of Richmond

“The first residents are moving into 4N4 Midtown, an apartment building at 4 N. Fourth St. at the corner of Main Street in downtown Richmond. The building, a historic reuse project, is the former headquarters for Massey Energy Co., which was bought by Bristol-based Alpha Natural Resources Inc. in June 2011.

To date, 31 of 74 apartments have been leased. The building has a basement and four stories above ground. The first 18 units on the top floor were ready for occupancy in September. The final certificate of occupancy is expected in two weeks.”

~Writes Carol Hazard of the Richmond Times Dispatch

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Va. Beach Council Seeks Developer for Ex-Dome Site

City of Virginia Beach

“The city is looking for a new developer to build a long-planned entertainment complex near the Oceanfront. Texas businessman Michael Jenkins, whom the city tapped in 2008 to build an ambitious project on the old Dome site, has not been able to come up with the money to finance it. The City Council voted Tuesday to give other people a shot at developing the prime city property between 18th and 20th streets.”

~Writes Aaron Applegate of the Virginia Pilot

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Fox Mill Center in Gloucester Adding Stores, Restaurant

Gloucester County

“A developer is citing a recovering economy for preparations to add more retail space and a restaurant at Fox Mill Center, the county's signature retail and commercial development in the Court House area. The proposed 8,300-square-foot restaurant and twin 7,500-square-foot retail buildings will be built on five acres across from the Walmart parking lot and north of the Verizon and Sweet Frogs stores, according to an application filed with Gloucester County on Oct. 31… Illinois-based developer Bob Kubicki, who lived in Gloucester from 1974 to 2000, said he expects construction to start in the first quarter of next year. Kubicki declined to name the restaurant chain and stores that would be located in the new buildings. Kubicki said retailers in general are feeling better about expanding in this economy.”

~Writes Matt Sabo of the Daily Press

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Lake Anne land Swap Approved

Fairfax County

“A land swap that some view as critical to the revitalization of Reston’s Lake Anne community is moving ahead. The Reston Association Board of Directors gave initial approval to an agreement with developer Republic Family of Companies, operating as Lake Anne Development Partners, to trade two 1-acre pieces of land.

Many Reston residents said they object to the RA giving up a heavily treed piece of land and allowing a parking garage to be built there. Fairfax County has entered into a public-private partnership with Republic to redevelop the Crescent apartments, which the county currently owns, and to complete some other improvements to the Lake Anne Plaza area.”

~Writes Kali Schumitz of the Fairfax Times

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Proffers at Issue in Rezoning Request

Greene County

“Community outcry against requested changes to a proposed affordable housing development in Ruckersville has led to a delay on the motion until January. Butch Davies, an attorney for Kinvara Properties LLC, asked the Greene County Board of Supervisors at its Nov. 12 meeting to defer his client’s request to amend proffers on the proposed affordable housing development on Cedar Grove Road.

The request, originally approved in May 2008, was to amend specifics about roads/interconnectivity, phasing of residential development and removal of cash proffers for a 38-acre tract and a 1.04-acre tract near the Food Lion Shopping Center.”

~Writes Al Martin III of the Greene County Record

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Negotiations for Boat Club Property to Continue

City of Alexandria

“The verdict came after nearly four hours of public testimony Tuesday evening: Negotiations for the Old Dominion Boat Club’s waterfront parking lot will continue — for at least another 90 days. That was the 6-1 decision of city council following a lengthy, and unusual, hearing dedicated to the perennial dispute between City Hall and the local group. The point, Mayor Bill Euille said, is letting residents in on what formerly were backroom talks.”

~Writes Derrick Perkins of the Alexandria Times

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York Supervisors OK Growth of Marquis Shopping Center

York County

“The York Board of Supervisors approved a pair of proposals expanding the footprint of a shopping center in upper York County. Developers of The Marquis, located off Interstate 64 and Route 199 near Water Country USA, asked the supervisors to add 200,000-square-feet of retail space to the existing 127-acre commercial parcel for a national club discount store, gas station and restaurant. In another request, developers asked to rezone the lower, undeveloped portion of their property to allow for a 650-unit residential development.”

~Writes Ali Rockett of the Daily Press

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Sheetz Site Plan Approved at Rts. 3 & 206 Intersection

King George County

“A final site plan for a Sheetz service station/convenience store at Arnold’s Corner was approved last week on Nov. 12 by the King George Planning Commission. The request for the service station/convenience store was requested by Lee Garrison representing Woodland Drive Investments, and Sheetz, Inc. The application for the final site plan met all ordinance requirements and did not involve any rezoning. The property is zoned General Trade District (C-2) and the proposed use is permitted by-right in the C-2 zoning district… The new service station/convenience store will be on the south side of Route 3 (Kings Hwy), across from the south end of Dahlgren Road (Route 206) where the road empties into Route 3.”

~Writes Phyllis Cook of the Journal

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Retail and Residential Hub Popping up Near Roanoke Memorial Hospital

City of Roanoke

“Developers say we're still a decade away from seeing its full potential, but you're looking at a good start. The Bridges is the commercial and residential project by a Richmond-based developer that received 10-million dollars from Roanoke City. The development is right across the street from the Virginia Tech-Carilion Medical School where the old flour mill and scrap yard used to be. Construction crews are laying the foundation for the apartments first and hope to have them ready for the start of the 2014 school year in late August, but they're open for everyone.”

~Reports David Kaplan of WDBJ 7

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Beach Accepts Arena Proposal, Another Expected

City of Virginia Beach

“City council members accepted a proposal that resurrects a potential arena project at the Oceanfront Tuesday. Other groups have 90 days to submit proposals, with one pitch already in the works. The proposal is from W. M. Jordan Company in Newport News and Comcast-Spectacor. John R. Lawson, president and CEO of W. M. Jordan, told 13News Now the facility would hold 18,000 people for basketball and hockey games and 19,000 for concerts.”

~Reports ABC13 WVEC

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Downtown Bank Tower’s Rehab Begins

City of Richmond

“The first stages of construction on a long dormant downtown skyscraper are taking shape. More than $500,000 worth of building permits were issued in late October for work on the Central National Bank building at 219 E. Broad St. The permits, which authorize interior demolition and renovation, scaffolding, and barricades, are the first major public signs of progress toward the planned rebirth of the 23-story, 240,000-square-foot tower.

Washington-based Douglas Development Corp. plans to transform the former bank building into more than 200 apartments. Cindy Morris, asset manager for the developer, confirmed that Douglas plans to begin construction in the coming months. W.M. Jordan has been awarded the contract for this initial phase of the development approved in the permits.”

~Writes Burl Rolett of the Richmond BizScene

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Council Approves Second West Main Student Housing Building

City of Charlottesville

“More construction cranes will soon be coming to West Main Street now that Charlottesville’s City Council has approved another housing complex aimed at students. Councilors voted 4-1 Monday to approve The Standard, a 600-bedroom, six-story building to be erected by Landmark Development. The Athens, Ga.-based firm specializes in upscale student housing projects.”

~Writes Sean Tubbs of Charlottesville Tomorrow

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