Echo Harbour Reflects Challenge Involved in Urban Development in Richmond, Virginia

by Carrie Belt in Activism, November 6, 2008

Richmonders are in the midst of a fierce debate over the proposed Echo Harbour development. As many citizen activist groups gear up for a long-hauled protest, the development dream team stands firm on its belief that Echo Harbour will increase economic vitality for the city by bringing high-earning residents to a zip code plagued by crime and poverty.

Like Richmond upon Thames, Tatnall wants to create a legacy for Richmond that will last for generations. Instead of creating an upper-class residential building, Tatnall wants to “Turn the ship lock into a high-activity space on the river front that will generate money for the city,” says Tatnall. “We will do scientific studies to see what will work, but we’ll have the benefit of having that land in public hands. 100 years from now, our grandchildren will say that it’s great we [built a public space.]”

According to the developers, the historic view in question is not compromised by the Echo Harbour development. Furthermore, according to Morris, the LeHigh cement towers already create a visible industrial bi-product on the coveted View. In terms of long-term value to the City, the developers estimate that the development would return $3 million in net tax revenues and provide over 360 jobs for area workers. Those employment earnings would total $18 million. Additionally, the developers estimate that there would be an estimated growth of $52 million in New Business receipts within the City.

You Decide

While the financial projections of the Echo Harbour development are promising, Preservationists believe that creating a park in the area would increase recreational traffic to the area. Tatnall also believes that the international attention that he hopes his preservation efforts will command will bring in tourism dollars to the region.

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Some residents, such as Otto, are disillusioned by the unused and under-developed public space that already exists along the waterfront. In order for the area to be developed in a manner that would create traffic and recreational opportunities for the area, Otto relies on the development efforts of private entities.

The proposed Echo Harbour development is not merely a question of past versus future or of public ownership versus private ownership. More so, the Echo Harbour development unveils the diversity of Richmond residents’ intrinsic values. Public debate over those values has historically made Richmond play a pivotal role in large-scale social and economic progress. Time will tell how this debate is concluded, but one can rest easy knowing that neither side will easily relent in its effort to impact the development of the region.