Richmond School Board agrees to deal on Arthur Ashe Center sale
richmond.com2024/10/5
Week in Review
The Richmond School Board signed off on an agreement regarding the future of the Arthur Ashe Center, the city-owned property at Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Robin Hood Road, the first step in settling a lingering question surrounding the massive Diamond District development project.
The school system and the city negotiated an agreement that says the city will sell the property for $5.3 million and give the money to the school system.
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Now that the school board has signed off on the agreement, the city will submit the agreement to City Council for approval.
The 42-year-old athletic facility belongs to the city, but the Richmond School Board has said since 2022 it should get the revenue because it has managed the building and used it the most. City leaders disagreed, saying the school system never owned the building and stopped maintaining it.
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The building needs a new roof and new HVAC system, which would cost millions of dollars. RPS mainly uses it for storage.
In the past, the school system has used the 6,000-seat facility for basketball games, cheerleading competitions and other school system events.
According to the agreement, the city will provide facilities for the school system to use for events previously held at the Arthur Ashe Center and if no such city facilities exist, the city will work in good faith with the school board to find an alternative facility to meet the school system’s needs.
The Richmond School Board meets Monday in Richmond. The board approved an agreement that says the city will sell the Arthur Ashe Center property for $5.3 million and give the money to the school system.
The agreement says that the city will transfer the title to the city’s Economic Development Authority and the school board will not object or take legal action against the city or the EDA.
The city expects to sell the parcel to a developer, which will raze the building and could construct a mixed-use building in its spot.
In this 2018 photo an area on the Arthur Ashe Center roof is marked where it is open to the ceiling inside. The facility, built in 1982, needs a new roof and new HVAC system, which would cost millions of dollars. Now, Richmond Public Schools mainly uses it for storage.
The Arthur Ashe parcel is considered a later phase of the Diamond District redevelopment plan to be developed several years in the future.
The first phase of the Diamond District construction is expected to have 1,700 homes, a hotel, ground-floor retail and commercial space.
PHOTOS: Bernie Sanders holds 2020 rally at Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond
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Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to supporters during a rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Bernie Sanders tie-dye shirts were for sale outside the Arthur Ashe Center before the senator spoke during a campaign rally Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Bernie Sanders buttons, hats and shirts were for sale outside the Arthur Ashe Center before the senator spoke during a campaign rally Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Bernie Sanders shirts were for sale outside the Arthur Ashe Center before the senator spoke during a campaign rally Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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People show their support as Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Oscar Martin of Richmond holds up a Bernie Sanders doll as the senator speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Supporters wait for Sen. Bernie Sanders to arrive for his campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Supporters cheer as Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders walks on stage to speak during his campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to supporters before he speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Center Thursday, February 27, 2020.