In case you missed the Nov. 16 Board of Supervisors meeting, here is a brief recap of items from the board’s monthly work session and business meeting:
GENITO/288 SPECIAL FOCUS AREA PLAN
Following a public hearing, the board approved the Genito/288 Special Focus Area Plan and adopted it as part of Chesterfield’s comprehensive plan.
The county’s Planning Department received considerable citizen input while crafting the document, which will serve as a guide to development within a 659-acre area around the intersection of Genito Road and Route 288.
Chesterfield is seeking to attract uses that will complement and enhance River City Sportsplex, a 115-acre athletic facility that has made Chesterfield one of the most sought-after sports tourism destinations on the East Coast.
A special focus area plan is a long-range document that provides detailed development guidance to areas currently undergoing or having a high potential for change, with an emphasis on redevelopment strategies and placemaking.
The conceptual plan for the Genito/288 special focus area recommends a hotel site, restaurants and a brewery, destination retail and community green space adjacent to River City. All would be located along a newly constructed access road, with pedestrian accommodations and streetscaping, leading to the sportsplex.
It also calls for entertainment/sport/recreation/racing uses on the nearby 47-acre former Southside Speedway site, as well as community commercial and sports/wellness/office uses on EDA-owned property south of Genito Road.
SOUTHSIDE SPEEDWAY UPDATE
Martyn Thake, principal of Motorsports Consulting Services, presented his report on Southside Speedway to the Board of Supervisors.
Read more about Thake’s findings and watch video of his presentation here.
SPRING ROCK GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
The Board of Supervisors approved a support agreement with the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) and authorized a financing plan for infrastructure improvements to the Spring Rock Green site.
At the board’s direction, the EDA acquired the underutilized Spring Rock Green shopping center in September 2021 and set out to capitalize on its highly visible location (at the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike and Chippenham Parkway) that serves as a major gateway to Chesterfield.
The public-private redevelopment project is part of Chesterfield’s ongoing effort to revitalize eastern Midlothian, while creating synergy with both the Stonebridge development south of Route 60 and the adjacent Boulders office park.
The EDA will sell a maximum of $23 million in revenue bonds to fund infrastructure improvements on the 41.9-acre property, which will allow Chesterfield to market it to high-quality businesses, promote the county as a tourism destination and create a mixed-use project incorporating commercial, residential, and public uses.
It was rezoned in April for up to 1,100 multifamily units, 125 townhouses or condominiums, office and retail space, a hotel, a parking deck and a sports and entertainment facility that will include two regulation-size ice rinks.
Chesterfield will provide the funding to pay debt service on the bonds, using revenue that is expected to be generated by new private development on the Spring Rock Green site.
FINANCE UPDATE
Director of Accounting Consuela Wilson, Budget and Management Director Gerard Durkin and Deputy County Administrator for Finance and Administration Matt Harris gave the board a finance update during its afternoon work session. Watch the presentation in its entirety below.
TURF FIELDS AT MONACAN AND L.C. BIRD HIGH SCHOOLS
The board authorized the award of a $3.15 million construction contract to SGC Fields LLC for the conversion of the stadium fields at Monacan and L.C. Bird high schools from natural grass to synthetic turf.
SGC Fields LLC submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid, which was under the engineer's pre-bid estimate of probable cost. The bidder is prepared to begin work at both sites in early December, and given good winter weather, finish in late spring 2023.
The scope of work includes all construction necessary to remove existing grass and irrigation, regrade, install new base, shockpad, turf, inlaid lines and markings and thatch zone and organic infill.
Conversion from natural grass to a synthetic turf surface will allow expanded utilization of the fields by multiple school teams and community groups on a year-round basis.
RICHMOND REGION TOURISM/SPORTS BACKERS UPDATE
Jack Berry, Katherine O’Donnell and J.C. Poma with Richmond Region Tourism, and Jon Lugbill with Richmond Sports Backers updated the board on their respective organizations, as well as Chesterfield’s sports tourism data for fiscal year 2022. View their presentation below.
CENTER POINTE PARKWAY EXTENSION
As requested by county staff, the board authorized the Chesterfield Department of Transportation (CDOT) to proceed with the design and right-of-way phases of a project that will extend Center Pointe Parkway by approximately one-half mile, from its current terminus at Tomahawk Creek Road to Old Hundred Road.
CDOT can now proceed with design and right-of-way acquisition, including advertisement of an eminent domain public hearing if necessary, and accept the conveyance of right-of-way and easements that are acquired for the project.
In June 2009, the Board of Supervisors appropriated $553,125 for the Center Pointe Parkway extension to satisfy a zoning condition associated with the development of Tomahawk Creek Middle School. Funding for road construction will be evaluated once the project’s scope has been finalized.