A recent meeting held in Shockoe Bottom gathered 60 residents, business owners and city officials to discuss the Bottom's potential, revitalization needs, and assets, according to a story published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The attendees discussed the basics of what is not being taken care of, such as broken parking meters, empty tree wells, overgrown weeds and lack of trash cans; to the opportunities for transit, entertainment, history, and more.

The meeting was a first in a series to decide on an economic strategy to guide the development of the neighborhood using $125,000 set aside by City Council this past spring.

Homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods should also voice their opinion about the project because improvements to Shockoe Bottom will make it a more attractive place for socializing and entertainment, which can help boost property values beyond the Bottom.

"In a rare feat of late, a town-hall meeting with no shouting was held yesterday by Shockoe Bottom residents, business owners and city officials.

The discussion of the Bottom's future followed the city's issuance Friday of a request for proposals for an economic strategy to guide development and redevelopment in the neighborhood.

The project will be financed with $125,000 set aside by the City Council this spring.

The meeting, held at The Old City Bar on East Main Street, was the first in a series of discussions on the Bottom's potential, its revitalization needs and its assets.

'We want to use this little bit of money to start having an honest conversation about what really works in this area,' said City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, whose 6th District includes the Bottom, calling it 'the most precious land in the city of Richmond.'

She challenged the approximately 60 people in attendance to begin thinking about what Richmond lacks and how the Bottom could fill those needs.

Among the suggestions to focus on were transit, pride and history, creating a sense of place, tourism, blighted buildings, pedestrian traffic and enforcement of ABC laws."

Read full story.