rvavt

rvavt t1_j1fnmb1 wrote

Reply to Streetlight outages by Dynkledook

In parts of The Fan as well. I noticed that the lights came on sometime late night and were still on this morning so my theory is that the timer got screwed up.

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rvavt t1_ixidl2s wrote

Reply to comment by Charlesinrichmond in Richmond school district to rename Binford, Cary, and Ginter Park for $150k. by Charlesinrichmond

So you think the money spent to take down the statues was a waste. If not, why is this situation different? What justifies preserving the honoring of slaveholders and those who fought to preserve slavery? I’ve been told that Lee was a noble person despite the fact that he fought to preserve slavery. Does that mean money was wasted on removing his statue? To some, yes.

The “gray area” argument is just an excuse not to stand against institutional racism.

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rvavt t1_iwg76xy wrote

Reply to comment by hi_revver in Surf’s up for Chesterfield’s The Lake - Virginia Business by Charlesinrichmond

Ridge Road.

The speedway existed well before those homes were built (late 80’s), so those owners had no case against the speedway. However, now that it’s closed I’m sure a case could be made that reopening it as a speedway would harm property values which have now appreciated without the issue of being adjacent to an active speedway.

I’m certainly not saying that the county hypothetically should have forced the SSS to close back in 2019, because that would have violated the speedway owners’ property rights. But it’s closed now and has been sold, so there really isn’t a speedway there at all.

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rvavt t1_iwel7cv wrote

Reply to comment by hi_revver in Surf’s up for Chesterfield’s The Lake - Virginia Business by Charlesinrichmond

No I don’t. I’ve BEEN to that neighborhood during a race. It’s loud. And there are homes less than 1500’feet away. You need to check your maps.

Edit: To add, it’s not the actual profit on the business that matters, it’s the additional tax revenue. Sports tourism is incredibly valuable because non residents spend money and pay taxes when they come to the events. Think of numbers of visitors, numbers of hotel rooms, numbers of meals. A small speedway with one event per week attracting a couple hundred local residents generates fractions of the tax dollars that a destination sports complex with supporting hotels and restaurants would.

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rvavt t1_iwei0pm wrote

Reply to comment by hi_revver in Surf’s up for Chesterfield’s The Lake - Virginia Business by Charlesinrichmond

Ok, I do have to mention now that the conversation is continuing that there are neighborhoods right across the street from the raceway. The sound is still pretty loud more than mile away, so I can only imagine what it’s like a couple hundred yards away.

If the county could make 50% of the money on a track as a different use could, I’d say “git ‘ER done!!!” I’d be willing to wager a significant sum that there are several uses which will produce FAR more revenue and will not negatively impact adjacent homes. Speaking of which, the county will be subject to many lawsuits from those homeowners if they think of reopening it as a raceway. Something about the right to quiet enjoyment (a foundational property right) and the raceway no longer being grandfathered as a permitted use comes to mind.

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rvavt t1_iwbo7nj wrote

Reply to comment by hi_revver in Surf’s up for Chesterfield’s The Lake - Virginia Business by Charlesinrichmond

I don’t understand how anyone can view Southside Speedway as if it was a public amenity. It was a private business with a VERY small economic impact which closed and sold. It would be the same as if the Wal-Mart down the street closed and sold the property to the county. Would anyone be fighting the county to re-open a discount superstore?

The county is interested in the best use for the land for ALL county taxpayers, and I can’t see how that could or should be a speedway. And I’m sure the vast majority of the neighbors would agree.

Fortunately, the county decided to hire a consultant (who specializes in assessing properties for motorsports development) to prepare a report of the options for that property. I think that’s a reasonable approach, using economic projections to make a reasonable fiscal decision but I’m sure it won’t make the hundreds of former SSS patrons happy.

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