Adam Says: Not So Fast Downtown... Let's Check That Attitude At the Door.

Allow me to be cynical for a moment. I went down to Planet Zero tonight to check out the Downtown Planning Thing with the Deal, and let me say that it is really great to see ideas flowing so readily. I have to admit that I am excited to hear so much talk about public transit, green space, and most importantly ascetics. I, as much as any, would love to see Richmond mature into a cross roads of north and south, where the past meets the future, a place know as much for its open mindedness, culture, and environmental friendliness as it is for its banking, and civil war artifacts.

However I have heard this song and dance before... I remember the buzz about the river walk, and how it was going to be as successful here as it was in San Antonio... that really hasn't worked out... so let me give my list of concerns and you can decided if I am totally off base.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it is not necessarily a recipe for success. Honestly why would anyone visit a city like New York if they could actually visit New York... So why are we trying to pattern ourselves after other successful cities instead of looking to bring out own originality and more importantly finding a niche that Richmond can hang its hat on.

How long can we suppress capitalism? in a perfect world we could balance Richmond's art and college vibe with its serious business side, but sooner or later the money will talk and many of these high and lofty ideals that are floating around right now will be smashed in favor profit... does Richmond have the stomach to say now to corporate greed and yes to a higher goal?

Finally, money. How much would this cost? And then how long will it take to complete? Or at least how long till we get to a place were we see results? The dollar number has to be huge... and the amount of time it would take to complete some of these ideas would far out last our attention spans... so by the time one project would be complete we would all be sick of paying for it with our taxes and we would all be sick of hearing about it...

Can we succeed as a city? Yes! Is this a great step? Yes! Is this a real solution? Probably not.

Adam Says: You Have 48 Hours To Clean Up This Mess While I Am At The Film Festival

Oh man the office is a mess! It's moving day here so forgive my curt ramblings...

Tomorrow night the 48 Hour film festival will be screening entered films in Asheville (NC) at the storied Brew N View... so if you are in the area... And for those of you in the RVA there is still time to enter the Richmond 48 Hour Film Festival for this weekend! Quick review... 48 Hour Film Festival is a travelling festival that gives film makers 48 Hours to make a film and then it screens it for the public. The Richmond screening will be held at the historic Byrd Theater in Carytown on Saturday August 4th. It sounds wicked fun so even if you are not making a film you should get out and catch the screenings.

Finally I am going to try and make it up to Planet Zero to see all this Richmond Downtown Planning Hype in person tonight... I hope I am pleased... either way expect me to throw my two cents in soon, with aimless insight from Jerms as well.